Kane back among goals for Spurs
Print Edition
Harry Kane believes he is as fit as he has ever been after netting his first goal of 2020 as Tottenham kick-started its challenge for a Champions League place next season with a 2-0 win over West Ham on Tuesday.
The England captain looked far more like his old self after a labored performance in his first appearance for six months against Manchester United on Friday, and was rewarded with a goal eight minutes from time.
“I’m in good shape. I’ve been working very hard through my rehab, lockdown and training. I feel as fit as I probably ever have done before,” Kane, who had a surgery on a hamstring injury prior to the season’s shutdown due to coronavirus, told Sky Sports. “When you have been out for six months it is just getting that feeling back on the pitch. You can train as much as you want but being out here is totally different.”
Tomas Soucek’s own goal had opened the scoring as West Ham remains precariously poised outside the relegation zone only on goal difference.
But Hammers boss David Moyes was furious the opener was not ruled out for a handball by Davinson Sanchez as he flicked a corner into Soucek’s path. “I can’t believe they have ruled that as a goal,” said Moyes. “Who is on VAR tonight? He needs subbed I know that. That’s the rules.”
Jose Mourinho’s men were well worthy of a first win in eight games dating back to February. Victory takes Spurs to within six points of the top four and within one of Manchester United in fifth.
Elsewhere, Brendan Rodgers hailed Kasper Schmeichel as “world class” after the Leicester goalkeeper saved Neal Maupay’s penalty in his side’s 0-0 draw with Brighton. Schmeichel came to Leicester’s rescue when he plunged to his right to stop Maupay’s spot-kick in the first half.
That was the highlight of a patchy performance from third-placed Leicester in Rodgers’ 50th game in charge.
“Kasper has made a great save from the penalty, he’s invaluable,” Rodgers said. “He’s a world-class goalkeeper. There is absolutely no doubt that he is one of the top goalkeepers in this league. Just his presence in the goal and his leadership. He studies penalty takers and puts in the work and he’s so agile.
“He’s been absolutely brilliant in the two games back.”
The Foxes are now four points clear of fourth-placed Chelsea and nine ahead of fifth-placed Manchester United in the race to qualify for the Champions League. Brighton moves six points clear of relegation.
In Spain, Barcelona limped to a 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao that sends it back to the top of La Liga, for 24 hours at least, three points ahead of Real Madrid. Only a goal from substitute Ivan Rakitic in the 71st minute prevented Barca from another stalemate after a draw at Sevilla on Friday had allowed Real to go top on head-to-head.
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