Clicky
Sports, Football

Kane sinks Fulham to become Spurs’ joint record scorer


By AFP
Published : 24 Jan 2023 08:54 PM

Antonio Conte vowed to "win something" with Harry Kane after the striker became Tottenham's joint record scorer as his 266th goal for the club sealed a vital 1-0 win against Fulham on Monday.

England captain Kane netted on the stroke of half-time with a clinical strike from the edge of the penalty area at Craven Cottage.

Jimmy Greaves' Tottenham record had stood since 1970, but Kane's first goal in his last three appearances gave him a share of the historic milestone.

Kane played despite being ill with a fever and Tottenham boss Conte admitted he is desperate to reward the selfless star with silverware.

Without a major trophy for club and country, Kane has been linked with Manchester United.

But Conte said: "Today he was amazing. I think he scored a fantastic goal, the execution, to control the ball, then to kick it in that way, only a world-class striker can score this goal.

"About the spirit that I spoke before, I want to underline Harry played with a fever and he was not so good, but he wanted to play because he understood the moment.

"He understood he is a point of reference for us. For sure, I would like to help him and me, also his team-mates, to try to do something important, to win something with Tottenham because he loves Tottenham.

"Tottenham is in his heart and it should be good if together we were able to win something, because then it is important to have this record, but I think it could be more important if you win a trophy."

Kane could break Greaves' record in Tottenham's next match in the FA Cup fourth round at second tier Preston on Saturday.

It is only a matter of time before Kane takes sole possession of Tottenham's most hallowed record.

That remarkable achievement would have seemed impossible during a difficult start to his career that featured several failed loan spells before he finally emerged as a star.

Greaves, who died aged 81 in 2021, is regarded as one of the most natural goal scorers in football history.

A member of England's 1966 World Cup-winning squad, who netted 44 times for his country, Greaves is the highest scorer in English top-flight history with 357 goals.

For Kane to be alongside such a legendary player is a tribute to his predatory instincts and his perseverance.

The 29-year-old is now one short of becoming the third player to net 200 Premier League goals, after Alan Shearer (260) and Wayne Rooney (208).