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November 23, 2020

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Kane drops deeper to fire Spurs to top

Source: Agencies | 00:05 UTC+8 November 23, 2020 | Print Edition

In his last three English Premier League campaigns, Harry Kane recorded just eight assists for Tottenham Hotspur but he is already up to a league-high nine assists this season, with the record of 20 well within his sights.

From being the spearhead of Spurs’ attack, Kane’s role has taken on a new dimension this season and the two-time Golden Boot winner has now become the fulcrum around which Jose Mourinho’s side pivots in the final third.

The England striker recently scored his 200th Spurs goal but he has traded his shooting boots to turn provider this season and it was on display again as the north London club beat Manchester City 2-0 on Saturday.

Kane dropped deep to draw out City’s defenders for Son Heung-min’s early opener and again to slip through the final pass for Giovani Lo Celso to score the second that lifted Spurs to the top of the standings.

Kane dropping into midfield to create space for teammates has been a ploy used often this season and the striker’s evolution into a ‘false nine’ has also allowed Son to flourish, with the South Korean leading the league with nine goals.

“Holding up the ball trying to buy time... winning fouls, being strong and trying to bring others into play,” Kane told Sky Sports while explaining his new role. “On the counter, if I’m the one dropping deep then I know I’ve got runners in behind.”

No Mourinho team is complete without players working hard off the ball and Kane led from the front, pressing his opponents to regain possession and finished with three successful tackles against City.

“It’s a season where you’ve got to do all it takes to win games,” Kane added. “Part of my job is to work hard for the team, win tackles, obviously score goals and get assists but I enjoy defending. The feeling now after the game once you’ve put in a great shift, there’s no better.”

Meanwhile, a thumping second-half goal from West Ham United striker Sebastien Haller condemned Sheffield United to a 1-0 EPL defeat at home yesterday that leaves the club rooted to the bottom of the standings with a single point after nine games.

Though the visitors dominated possession in the opening 45 minutes, the Blades created several opportunities with striker Oliver McBurnie going closest with a header that forced a fine save from Lukasz Fabianski.

Their wasteful finishing was punished in the 56th minute as West Ham won the ball in midfield and worked it up to Haller, who drilled a thunderous shot into the top right corner via the fingertips of Aaron Ramsdale.

McBurnie beat Fabianski in the 75th, but his left-foot shot hit the crossbar as West Ham hung on for a win that moves it to eighth place on 14 points..

Earlier, Everton’s in-form striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin netted a brace and midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure scored his first goal for the club as it beat Fulham 3-2 to return to winning ways.

Everton’s rise to the top of the table last month delighted supporters but the early optimism had faded somewhat after three straight defeats before the encounter at Craven Cottage.

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