Premier League : Harry Kane becomes Tottenham’s All Time top Scorer with 267 goals after beating Manchester City
Harry Kane breaks Jimmy Greaves record to become All time top scorer of Tottenham with 267 goals
It was a goal to make history and accomplish the seemingly impossible – to create excitement on both sides of the north London divide. Harry Kane grabbed it early on, becoming Tottenham’s all-time leading scorer with 267 goals, one more than the legendary Jimmy Greaves.
Spurs were desperate for a spark to their season, a first win against a member of the so-called big six after so many disappointments, and they got it – deservedly, against a strangely off-color Manchester City. And how it would be celebrated at Arsenal, whose lead over City at the top of the Premier League hasn’t been eroded by their shock defeat at Everton on Saturday.
Spurs’ Cristian Romero was sent off late in the game for a second bookable offence – a trip on Jack Grealish – and there were nerves during the five minutes of stoppage time. Despite this, the goal that City needed to bail them out was never seen.
Pep Guardiola’s men had rallied from 2-0 down to defeat Tottenham 4-2 at the Etihad Stadium on January 19 – an evening when the manager referred to City as a “happy flowers team,” questioning their hunger. He could make a stronger case for the description here. Something is missing in the defending champions, who continue to suffer in this stadium. It’s now five games, five defeats, and no goals.
Look at how Harry Kane celebrated with his team-mates
Too many people to thank who have been a massive part of my journey. Couldn’t have done it without all my family, friends, team-mates and especially the fans. pic.twitter.com/2i3TT6wqw0
— Harry Kane (@HKane) February 6, 2023
The stadium and the crowd had all been praises for Harry Kane .
One season wonder 😉 pic.twitter.com/nX1vnf5InZ
— Harry Kane (@HKane) February 5, 2023
Kane’s goal was his 200th in the Premier League, surpassing only Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney, and it prompted some high-quality Spurs content after the final whistle. Kane would be interviewed on the field and asked to lay it on in front of his teammates and a group of fans who serenaded him, which he duly did. He used the word “surreal” several times, which probably summarised it best.
Spurs had everything planned out. When the goal was scored, there was a message on the big screen in gold block lettering that said, “Congratulations, Harry,” though it’s possible that the post-match show would not have been as long if City had fought back to win.
What a feat for Kane, because as anyone over a certain age will tell you, Greaves was truly the best. And, while the goal was a disaster from a City perspective, no one in Tottenham’s jersey was complaining.
It came when Rodri tried to flip a pass around the corner to Rico Lewis as he faced his own penalty area while being pressed by Rodrigo Bentancur, and it never looked on. Pierre-Emile Hjbjerg read it, intercepted it, and did well to gain some ground against Lewis before going right to Kane, who unloaded first-time for the far corner.
Spurs drank the tonic, the aggression coursing through their veins, even if Romero went too far with a wild, sliding lunge into Erling Haaland, for which he was booked. That happened in the 26th minute. He was on the verge of a nervous breakdown after that. Spurs were dangerous on the transitions with Kane dropping off and Son Heung-min looking to lengthen his stride.
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City had a 0-0 tie, but Guardiola’s agitation for much of the game told its own story. His team struggled to break down a deep-sitting Spurs defence that featured many heroes, including Eric Dier and Emerson Royal, who started ahead of the new signing, Pedro Porro.
When his team had the ball, Guardiola wanted Lewis to step up and across into midfield from left-back, allowing Bernardo Silva to get closer to Haaland and Julián lvarez. Call it Joo Cancelo’s role – before Guardiola fired him. Lewis, who was only 18 at the time, was saddled with enormous responsibility.
In the first half, City only created one clear opening, and it came at the very end, with Grealish crossing from the left and Ben Davies half-clearing with his head. Riyad Mahrez kept possession before whipping a shot past Hugo Lloris. The crossbar stopped him.
As expected, there was no Antonio Conte in the Spurs dugout. The Spurs manager enjoys suffering, but it was always going to be too much for him to be here so soon after having his gallbladder removed. Conte was watching from Italy, and the outcome would be the best medicine for his recovery.
The Spurs knew what they had to do in the second half: keep their defensive shape and win duels. But it was clear that a second goal was possible because the counterattack remained active for them.
Harry Kane had a chance on the volley but misfired, while Davies looked over from a corner. Then there were the times when the Spurs charged forward only to miss the final action. After a Son burst, Hjbjerg’s final pass for Emerson allowed Nathan Aké to make a save; Ivan Perisic’s cross was just too far in front of Kane.
Guardiola had already introduced Kevin De Bruyne, who had started the game as a substitute. On 68 minutes, De Bruyne set up lvarez, who whistled high after a deflection off Dier, and lvarez would also be just off target. But it wasn’t a game in which City pounded on the door too loudly, and it was Spurs who got closer to the next goal. Ederson stopped Kane and deflected a long-range shot from Son.
