LONDON (AP) – Harry Kane broke the record for English Premier League goals in a calendar year as his hat trick helped Tottenham thrash Southampton 5-2 on Tuesday.
Kane scored twice in the first half at Wembley Stadium before completing his treble after Dele Alli and Heung-Min Son underlined Spurs’ complete control.
Each goal broke new ground for Kane; his first took him clear of Alan Shearer’s 36 Premier League goals in 1995; the second saw him overtake Lionel Messi as the player from Europe’s major leagues to have the most goals (56) for club and country in 2017; and the third gave him a record sixth Premier League hat trick in a calendar year.
Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane, heads the ball to score the opening goal of the game during their English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton at Wembley stadium in London, Tuesday, Dec 26 2017. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
A fourth victory in five league games moved Spurs back into the top four, above Liverpool which played Swansea in the day’s late game.
Southampton has failed to win its last seven Premier League games.
With much of the prematch build up focusing on Kane’s quest to break Shearer’s record, Spurs wasted little time giving its leading scorer the chance.
Christian Eriksen’s cross found Kane in the opening moments but the center forward could find only the side netting. However, the same combination gave Spurs the lead in the 22nd minute as Kane headed in Eriksen’s set-piece.
He had his second six minutes before the break as Eriksen, Alli, and Son combined to set up an easy finish for Kane.
The providers got their reward after the break as Alli curled in from the edge of the box before setting up Son to make it 4-0 just two minutes later.
Sofiane Boufal pulled a goal back for Southampton in the 64th only for Kane to complete his hat trick with a calm lobbed finish over Fraser Forster three minutes after. A late consolation from Dusan Tadic didn’t ruin Tottenham’s or Kane’s day.
Tottenham Hotspur’s Son Heung-min, left shoots and scores his sides 4th goal of the game during their English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton at Wembley stadium in London Tuesday, Dec 26 2017. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Tottenham Hotspur’s Son Heung-min, centre, celebrates with teammate Tottenham Hotspur’s Dele Alli, right and Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane after he scored his sides 4th goal of the game during their English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton at Wembley stadium in London Tuesday, Dec 26 2017. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane goes to shoot and score his sides 5th goal and his third of the game during their English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton at Wembley stadium in London Tuesday, Dec 26 2017. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.