adminLONDON. — Mauricio Pochettino saluted “fantastic” duo Harry Kane and Dele Alli after Tottenham revived their challenge for Champions League soccer qualification with a 3-0 win at Burnley on Saturday.
Kane scored a hat-trick to take his total of Premier League goals in the calendar year to 36, equalling the competition record set by Alan Shearer with Blackburn in 1995.
Alli played a rather more controversial role in proceedings, although he did end the match with two assists.
He won a disputed penalty early in the game, shortly after receiving a yellow card for a dangerous challenge on Burnley defender Charlie Taylor, with many home fans believing it should have been a sending off.
However, he did produce a sublime pass for Kane to complete his hat-trick with 12 minutes to go.
Pochettino said that both men played a significant role in Tottenham’s first away league win since September 30, and is hopeful that they can continue to lift a side who had slipped to seventh place before the weekend. “Harry is so important. I have praised him over the three-and-a-half years I have been here,” Pochettino said.
“He makes a contribution not only with goals but with his attitude and his professionalism. How he works on the pitch is fantastic. He’s a massive example for everyone.
“I’m so happy for him, because not only have we achieved the three points, but he equalled Alan Shearer’s record.
“He needs one more to set a new record, and I think that’s a massive, massive achievement for an individual like him.”
Alli has had a relatively disappointing personal season to date, with only three league goals to his name.
The midfielder was criticised heavily a week ago for a bad challenge on Manchester City’s Kevin de Bruyne, for which he received a yellow card, while his early tackle on Taylor was another example of his temperamental side.
Pochettino, though, said that referee Michael Oliver was correct both in only booking Alli and in awarding the early penalty. — AFP.
Online Reporter
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