Harry Kane became Tottenham’s all-time record scorer as his 267th goal for the club sealed a 1- 0 victory against Manchester City that roughly damaged the champions ’ bid to retain the Premier League title.
Kane’s big first-half strike at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium took him past Jimmy Greaves into sole possession of the hallowed record.
Greaves had held the landmark since 1970 before Kane moved position with him in his previous appearance against Fulham on January 23.
Kane’s landmark moment also made him only the third player to score 200 Premier League goals after Alan Shearer( 260) and Wayne Rooney( 208).
It has been an memorable period for Kane, who drew rank with Rooney as England’s joint record scorer on 53 goals when he netted against France at the World Cup in December.
Passing Greaves had become progressively certain for the lush Kane, although ironically City could have ended his record chase if they had been successful in their attempt to sign him in 2021.
Howbeit, Kane’s remarkable goal feats felt a distant dream during a delicate start to his career that featured several failed loan spells before he eventually came up as a star.
Greaves, who died aged 81 in 2021, is regarded as one of the most born goalscorers in football history.
A member of England’s 1966 World Cup-winning team, who netted 44 times for his country, Greaves is the top scorer in English top- flight history with 357 goals.
For Kane to be alongside such a fabulous player is a homage to his predatory instincts and his perseverance.
The 29- year-old’s first Tottenham goal came back in 2011 against Shamrock Rovers in the Europa League.
Howbeit, his record strike carried far more significance, If that was a low-crucial way to start an inconceivable career.
Arsenal’s shock 1- 0 defeat at struggling Everton on Saturday had given City renewed relief they could catch up the leaders.
But rather Kane’s 19th goal in all competitions this season leaves second-placed City running five points behind Arsenal, who have a game in hand and host Pep Guardiola’s men in a pivotal clash on February 15.
Without Coach Antonio Conte after emergency surgery to remove his gallbladder, Tottenham were led by his deputy Cristian Stellini and this result surely lifted the recovering Italian’s spirits.
Tottenham’s victory moved them within one point of fourth-placed Newcastle as they chase Champions League qualification.
Kane makes history.
It took Kane just 15 minutes to make history as Rodri’s careless pass on the edge of the City area allowed Pierre- Emile Hojbjerg to rob Manuel Akanji.
Hojbjerg slipped his pass to Kane and, with hereafter in his sights, the striker guided a slightly scuffed low shot past Ederson with typical effectiveness.
Sprinting away to soak up the credit, Kane waved towards his family, who were sitting below a scoreboard extolled with the message “Congratulations Harry” alongside pictures of him celebrating former goals for the club.
The England captain was trilled by Tottenham fans chanting “Harry Kane, he’s one of our own ”as the product of the club’s youth academy walked back to the centre circle beaming a broad grin.
City’s response was laboured and Guardiola grew thin-skinned on the touchline, ranting in frustration after the restrained Erling Haaland decided to pass rather of shoot.
Riyad Mahrez was inches away from easing Guardiola’s angst when he crashed a fierce blitz against the crossbar.
City came from two goals down at half- time to beat Tottenham 4- 2 at the Etihad Stadium in January.
But with City showing no signs of emulating that fightback, Guardiola sent on Kevin De Bruyne, having unexpectedly left the Belgium midfielder on the bench for “wise ” reasons.
De Bruyne’s presence lifted City and Julian Alvarez’s diverted shot curled over before Akanji appealed in vain for a penalty when his shot hit Cristian Romero’s arm.
In a tense closing, Tottenham had to play last three minutes with 10 men after Romero was dismissed for a extra booking as he diced down Jack Grealish.
