In-Form Harry Kane Leading Tottenham Hotspur's 'Lions' in Hunt of Leicester City
Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane had to back it up against Stoke City. But was there ever really a doubt he would?
Kane posted a picture sans caption on social media of a pride of lions following Premier League title-rivals Leicester City's 2-2 draw with West Ham United. The obvious inference second-placed Tottenham were watching their league-leading prey carefully, it has since been described by him (see below) as "just a bit of fun."
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Nevertheless, a negative result at Stoke would have left the 22-year-old looking a little silly. He showed within 10 minutes of what would be 4-0 win that he had no intention of becoming a figure of mockery.
It was absolutely fitting Kane struck the first blow against the Potters.
While this was an outstanding team performance (as appreciated by the club's supporters, see below), Spurs would not be in with a chance of closing the now four-point gap with Leicester without their star striker.
His goal bore a resemblance to another of his crucial strikes this spring. That marvellous curling effort that gave his team the lead against Arsenal and ultimately ensured a valuable point.
The opener on Monday night could not match the north London derby goal for emotion, nor, given Stoke's woeful defending and latter collapse, was it as vital as his equaliser away at Liverpool may prove.
But it was just as good an example of Kane's vital all-round influence and continued reliability.
Chasing the ball down the left, he held it up and bought time for his team-mates to join him. After an exchange of passes with Mousa Dembele, he cut inside and placed his shot round the wall of Stoke defenders into the far post.
Kane had already gone close to scoring a few minutes earlier. Unable to get a pass from Erik Lamela quite out from under his feet, the slight delay allowed his shot to be blocked.
The goal showed he was not prepared to wait to exploit the laxness in the Stoke defence that initial chance had highlighted. For all the symphonic qualities of Spurs' urgent and determined work—the overlapping full-backs, the beguiling versatility of the midfielders—it would not have worked so seamlessly without his selfless and prompt orchestrating.
Kane was everywhere. Dropping deep and charging the channels, pitching in defending his own box and providing an option in Stoke's.
He played in Dele Alli for what should have been his second and Spurs' third, only for the midfielder to unfortunately hit the post (he would seal an individual brace later on).
A minute later, it was his headed clearance that started the move he would finish to make it three-nil. Lamela's squared assist the smart choice but also a generous one in keeping with the productive team-first mentality Kane exemplifies as well as anybody.
The England international taking it upon himself to lead his team like this is no new development.
In the corresponding springtime fixture against Stoke last season, he was Spurs' only bright spot. He admirably fought to the end in an abject 3-0 loss, the fruitless nature of his efforts no reason in his mind not to keep trying.
That match was brought up in head coach Mauricio Pochettino's pre-match press conference, as was Spurs' blown lead against the same opponents back in August. A "very frustrating moment for us" he said of the 2-2 draw.
"But you know in football always you will take another opportunity to win or to fix that," Pochettino added, framing the discussion positively. "Then we have in front a very good opportunity to try to win and fight for big things, that is to be in the race for the title."
Kane has genuinely never stopped trying this season, never stopped fighting.
During his scoreless drought early in the season, he did not hide away. When a lacklustre Spurs' title hopes were flagging away at Anfield, he found a way to intervene.
Even as others grabbed the headlines in the 3-0 win over Manchester United two weeks ago, the match-turning spell was in no small part down to his unrelenting persistence.
In the middle of a highly pressurised run-in, the centre-forward has risen to the occasion even more.
Kane and his Tottenham lions may ultimately fail in their hunt of Leicester. It is still hard to see the Foxes blowing what remains a handsome lead with so few games left (lions and foxes—how's that for a surprising animal kingdom crossing of paths? Spurs' cockerel mascot Chirpy may feel left out).
But with Spurs playing the way they are right now—Kane especially—any more slip-ups from Leicester could be fatal.
Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.
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