Harry Kane’s all-round game keeps improving. Whilst Kane once more assisted Son Heung-Min to grab the winner, it was his performance all over the pitch that caught the eye at Turf Moor. Burnley, in contrast, cannot get a win and are already looking at a long, hard season.
Kane Pivotal in Tottenham Win
Maximum Points on the Road for Spurs
Southampton, Manchester United and now Burnley. Tottenham Hotspur have nine points from nine away from home in the Premier League. Where the first two games were ruthless and clinical thrashings, the game at Turf Moor on Monday evening was scrappy. Talks of a Tottenham title tilt are perhaps premature but they showed gritty resilience to overcome Burnley.
Burnley Frustrate Spurs But End up Pointless
Sean Dyche has made Burnley frustrating to play against. It is why they have remained in the Premier League for the past five seasons. They remain solid at the back and effective from set-pieces. For 75 minutes at Turf Moor, Burnley looked like they would frustrate Spurs. A sign of Burnley’s tough love style of football was seen on 15 minutes when Ashley Barnes caught Toby Alderweireld with a leading elbow. It was accidental, but demonstrated that Burnley would not give an inch and had no intention of giving Spurs time on the ball.
Chris Wood caused occasional problems in the air for a Spurs defence that has been fragile at set-pieces. It was a 71st-minute corner from Ashley Westwood that almost gave Burnley the lead. James Tarkowski rose the highest but was denied on the line by Harry Kane.
Is There Anything Kane Cannot Do?
Harry Kane is a striker. Golden Boots are what he collects. But under Jose Mourinho, he is much more than a striker. His range of passing has Spurs fans recalling the days of Glenn Hoddle. Short passes, long passes. Left foot, right foot. His vision is imperious. Clearances off the line being just the latest example of how Harry Kane’s all-round game is evolving.
When Erik Lamela swung in a corner in the 76th minute, Kane drew away two Burnley defenders and produced a deft header. Son had moved into space and headed home to give Spurs the win. The pair now have 29 goals where they have assisted each other. The only pairing in Premier League history above them are Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba. Jose Mourinho is a common denominator here with the only difference being trophies.
What Next for Burnley and Tottenham?
Tottenham head to Royal Antwerp in the Europa League on Thursday before a Premier League home game against another struggling club, Brighton & Hove Albion.
For Burnley, it doesn’t get any easier. At home once more, on Saturday they face Chelsea.
Spurs have dropped points at home, losing to Everton, a controversial draw against Newcastle United and a final ten-minute capitulation against West Ham United. The win over Burnley may not have been easy on the eye but it gave Jose Mourinho a clean sheet and demonstrated his team’s ability to win ugly.
Spurs continue to look upwards whilst for Burnley, points are needed quickly before they get cut adrift and end up heading back through the trap door back to the Championship.
Regarding Harry Kane, it is hard to see what else he can do to surprise us. Ironically, it would not be surprising if he did just that on many more occasions to come.
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