Harry Kane scored from the spot to give Spurs a massive win over Burnley in the race for a Champions League place.
The win moves Spurs up into fourth and in control of Champions League qualification next season, although Arsenal can re-take the spot with a win against Newcastle. And the man who delivered the win was the man who always does the business against Burnley.
Harry Kane.
Spurs’ star striker bagged a brace in the North London derby victory over Arsenal and followed that up with the decisive penalty against Burnley. Literal seconds after he missed a sitter at the end of the first-half, VAR awarded Spurs a penalty for an earlier handball.
The decision seemed harsh against Ashley Barnes, but by the book it was a handball (which is why the rule book needs updating, if we’re being honest) and Kane had the chance to give Spurs a massive lead.
Of course, he did just that, screwing the ball into the bottom corner with such unerring accuracy that even if Nick Pope had guessed right he probably wouldn’t have been able to get there.
Four of the last five matches between Spurs and Burnley have ended 1-0. Antonio Conte's side on the right end of the scoreline today. 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/EERkYgZNO8
— Squawka (@Squawka) May 15, 2022
That goal made it nine goals against Burnley for Kane, overtaking Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Riyad Mahrez who have both put eight goals past the Clarets. He is now Burnley’s most dangerous opponent and will no doubt haunt them again should Burnley survive relegation.
Burnley are now the fourth side that Harry Kane is the outright top Premier League goalscorer against. They join West Brom (nine), Arsenal (13) and Leicester (17) in being the most frequent victims of Harry Kane’s excellence.
“We knew it was gonna be really hard against Burnley,” said Kane speaking to BT Sport after the match. “It was a tough battle it was just about getting that breakthrough, thankfully it come at a really good time for us just before half-time.”
Kane’s assessment of the penalty was obvious: “I think it’s a clear penalty, if you look at the [other] penalties that’s been given this season I think it’s the right decision.”
Regarding his showdown with Nick Pope, Kane said: “I’ve practiced a lot with Popey at England again, so yeah he decided to stay down the middle thankfully,” before adding that the strike, which looked so crisp, wasn’t even an ideal strike! “It probably wasn’t my cleanest strike but found the bottom corner which was nice.”
Regarding Spurs’ second-half display: “Then second-half thought we played really well, couple more chances obviously Sonny went close couple great saves from Popey. But overall really hard fought and delighted with the three points.”
On the top four race, Kane made sure to point out that they’d done what they could and now it’s over to Arsenal: “We’ve done our job today, the last couple of games. We’ve got to recover and see what happens, but there’s still next week as well, but it’s all to play for.”
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