Tottenham Hotspur vs Stoke City. Premier League.
White Hart LaneAttendance31,864.
Monday 27 February 2017 09:10, UK
Harry Kane scored a first-half hat-trick to send Tottenham on their way to a 4-0 victory against Stoke in the Premier League on Sunday.
The in-form striker netted all three goals inside 37 minutes, before setting up Dele Alli for a fourth in the final moments of the opening period, as Spurs won their eight consecutive league game at White Hart Lane.
The Potters offered very little in terms of response - their best chance coming from Peter Crouch before the break - and remain tenth in the table.
Tottenham move up to second above Manchester City - who did not play this weekend - although they remain 10 points behind leaders Chelsea.
Both managers named unchanged sides for their last outings - Stoke in the Premier League and Tottenham from their Europa League exit in midweek - but the hosts certainly shook off their disappointment from Thursday's match in a sublime opening 45 minutes.
It took Kane 14 minutes to grab his first goal of the game, which also brought up his century of club goals. The ball fell to the striker after Ryan Shawcross' clearance from the feet of Christian Eriksen, Kane firing low past Lee Grant.
Stoke had their best chance of the game in the 25th minute as Crouch got on the end of an Erik Pieters cross, but it was saved by Hugo Lloris at point-blank range, while Jan Vertonghen rattled the woodwork soon after.
Kane curled a fantastic effort just past the top corner but his wait for another goal didn't last long. Eriksen picked out his team-mate with a curling corner and Kane hit a fine half-volley through the legs of Victor Wanyama to double the hosts' lead with 32 minutes gone.
Five minutes later, Kane completed his third hat-trick in nine games. After Alli was once again clipped by Charlie Adam, it was Eriksen and Kane who lurked over a free-kick with the former tapping it into the path of the striker who thumped the ball towards goal (37). It took a big deflection off the heel of Crouch, but it was heading into the back of the net nonetheless and Kane peeled away to celebrate.
Kane rounded off a marvellous opening period with an assist as he powered forward in the first minute of two added on, sliding the ball into the path of an unmarked Alli, who bounced back from his red card against Gent and slotted home to round off a mesmerising first half performance.
The second period was a much quieter affair, although it did not begin on the best note for Spurs as Toby Alderweireld was taken off with a suspected groin strain within the opening five minutes.
It took 12 minutes for Tottenham to have their first shot of the half as a short corner was whipped into the box by Eriksen, searching for the on-running Kane at the back post, but it just went over his head with the striker clattering into the upright in the process.
Grant continued to be tested and pulled off some fine saves to deny Spurs a fifth goal. The Stoke stopper got down low in the 62nd minute to keep out a nick from Eric Dier on an Eriksen free kick, before denying Kane another strike 12 minutes later, again getting to the floor to keep out his fierce drive from the top of the box.
Stoke attempted to make some forays forward as the game wore on but never truly tested the Tottenham defence, with Grant once again saving the visitors from further embarrassment with five minutes of the game to play as he kept out an effort from Walker but it was not needed as Spurs cruised to victory.
Player ratings
Tottenham: Lloris (7), Dier (7), Alderweireld (7), Vertonghen (7), Walker (7), Wanyama (7), Dembele (7), Davies (7), Alli (8), Eriksen (8), Kane (9).
Subs used: Wimmer (6), Winks (6), Son (n/a).
Stoke: Grant (7), Bardsley (6), Shawcross (6), Martins Indi (6), Pieters (6), Whelan (6), Adam (6), Sobhi (6), Allen (7), Arnautovic (7), Crouch (6).
Subs used: Berahino (5), Afellay (5), Cameron (n/a).
Man of the match: Harry Kane.
