Harry Kane produced another solid performance for Tottenham against Newcastle on Sunday. The England striker wasn't one of the five goalscorers but did everything else right for his team in their 5-1 victory.
The win has taken Antonio Conte's side to fourth in the Premier League table, keeping their hopes of a Champions League spot very much alive. Spurs now have eight games left of the season, with a trip to Villa Park next on the list.
Kane has scored 22 goals and registered seven assists in 42 appearances so far this season, breaking records and earning well-deserved praise. Sunday was no different, as the striker was commended by past and present players.
READ MORE: Antonio Conte has revitalised Harry Kane to give Tottenham a Premier League-leading attack
The 28-year-old had five shots during the game and made three key passes, one of which was to set-up Matt Doherty's 48th-minute goal. After the game, the Irishman explained the buildup to his goal and what he thinks of his teammate.
"I'll give H credit because it looked like it was just a cross for Sonny, but I knew at the time he was trying to pick me up at the far post and I just felt like it was going to come through. When H is on the ball like that you make the run because he'll pick you out most times," Doherty said in his post-match interview.
"He's the best player in the Premier League for me. He's got the best passing, the best finishing, just the best everything," the 30-year-old explained. The duo also have a good relationship off the field and they like to play golf together when they aren't on the football pitch.
"In golf he's [Kane] the best player as well and do you know how annoying that is? And the fact I've just said that on camera as well. He hits the ball miles," Doherty added. Kane and Son Heung-min have already broken the record for the most Premier League combination goals this season.
The 28-year-old is also just four goals away from equalling Wayne Rooney's England scoring record. The now Derby manager was another who praised Conte's striker, after the Newcastle victory.
"He can do both. He can play as a 9, he can play as a 10. He is an incredible player. I think Harry Kane of three, four years ago, all he is thinking about is goals, now he is getting goals and assists," the 36-year-old admitted.
This reiterates just how much Kane has developed as a player, since his arrival at Tottenham and how much of an impact he is now having all over the pitch. Rooney also praised the England captain for his presence off the field too.
"I think the way Harry Kane is, he is very humble, but I think what we are seeing nowadays is that the young lads are putting themselves out there on social media and getting a lot of attention whether it is sponsorship deals whereas Harry Kane is a superstar on the pitch, and a genuine gentleman off it and I think sometimes because people don’t see him in those flash cars and doing what other players do, they may tend not to like him as much but he certainly is one of the best players the Premier League has seen."
Rooney is second on the list of Premier League goals scored, behind Alan Shearer, who scored 260. Kane is only 82 behind and has a number of years of his career left.
It wasn't only Doherty and Rooney who had praise for the 28-year-old, Shearer also picked apart his playing ability and the quality Kane has in a number of areas. "Whether you want him to work hard, which comes naturally to great players anyway. Then, you add to that his ability to put the ball into the back of the net. And he’s one of the best at doing that," the former striker explained.
"Then, you look at his touch and technique. His ability to turn and make those passes. Those crosses that we have seen for a long time now, so he is a very, very clever footballer.
"It was a really intelligent performance from him [vs Newcastle]. He will be devastated that he hasn’t scored because he’s a goalscorer. That’s what he wants. That’s what his mentality is about," the 51-year-old added.
Conte will continue to rely on Kane for the final eight games in the season, as Tottenham continue their battle for a top-four finish. Thoughts will then turn to the summer transfer window and fans will hope there isn't a repeat of the saga that took place last season, so they can keep their world-class striker for a few more years to come.
