Mauricio Pochettino: Harry Kane equalling Alan Shearer is massive
Sunday 24 December 2017 13:32, UK
Mauricio Pochettino hailed Harry Kane's "massive achievement" after he equalled Alan Shearer's Premier League era record for goals in a calendar year.
The striker scored a hat-trick to earn Tottenham a 3-0 victory over Burnley, taking his league tally for 2017 to 36 goals, the same mark as Shearer managed in 1995.
Kane has a final chance to break the record against Southampton on Boxing Day, while two goals would boost his overall tally to 55 and see him overtake Lionel Messi as Europe's leading marksman for the year.
"His contribution not only with goals, with attitude, professional, ethic, how he works, I think it's fantastic," said Pochettino.
"He's a massive example for everyone and of course I'm so happy for him because not only we achieved the three points but he equalled the record with Alan Shearer.
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"Of course he needs one more to set the record and I think it's a massive individual achievement for him."
Kane's first came from the penalty spot after only seven minutes, with Dele Alli earning himself villain status for tumbling under a clumsy challenge from Kevin Long.
Kane then produced two superb finishes in the 69th and 79th minutes to get Tottenham back on track after last weekend's humbling at Manchester City.
"I think it's an important victory for us," said Pochettino after his side climbed above Burnley into fifth place.
"Not only the three points, I think the way we achieved the victory was very good. It means a lot for us to be in a position again to compete for the top four and change a little bit the feeling from last week."