Harry Kane moved level with Thierry Henry with 43 goals in Premier League London derbies
(Picture: Getty Images)Harry Kane equalled Thierry Henry’s record of 43 goals in Premier League London derbies as Antonio Conte’s side put in a much-improved performance to beat Fulham on Saturday.
While questions had been asked of Spurs’ ability to control games, the returns of Cristiano Romero Rodrigo Bentancur, as well as Clement Lenget’s full debut, helped them raise the level after Wednesday’s disappointing draw with West Ham.
The home side continued their unbeaten start to the season with a 2-1 victory and, crucially, saw plenty of positives emerge.
With Romero and Lenglet flanking Eric Dier, Spurs were able to progress the ball better and leave a Fulham side to have impressed so far this season making a series of last-ditch tackles.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, often seen as the kind of midfielder who lacks the creativity to regularly start in Spurs’ midfield, played an incisive one-two with Richarlison before slotting home from 12 yards five minutes before the break. That was the Dane’s second goal this season and perhaps an indication of a new string to his bow.
The goal came after Heung-min Son had seen an effort disallowed when Kane was adjudged to have interfered with his cross-turned-shot and the South Korean, in no kind of form until Saturday, then hit the bar.
Much as they did in the first-half, Spurs started the second in electric fashion. After good work from Ryan Sessengnon, Kane poked home a clever finish to equal Henry’s record.
The control Spurs boasted, however, did dissipate. In the 83rd minute, Aleksandar Mitrovic outmuscled Romero and curled a lovely finish past Hugo Lloris to set-up a grandstand finish.
Spurs, as they so often do under Conte, saw it out and continue their impressive start to the season.
