Kane on fire as dominant Tottenham down Wolves to maintain European hopes
Goals by Harry Kane and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg were enough for Tottenham to secure a 2-0 victory over Wolves in north London and keep their Champions League dream alive.
Kane struck just before the break while Holjbjerg was on hand to tap home in the second period to earn his side all three points.
Spurs knew they needed a victory to preserve their slim chances of a top-four finish. More realistically they are aiming at the Europa League and made a bright start at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Gareth Bale was lively operating on the right of a front three, with Son Heung-Min also supporting Kane. And it was the England skipper who almost opened the scoring in just the sixth minute.
Hojbjerg teed up the striker and his fierce hot thumped into the post with Rui Patricio beaten. Just one minute later teenager Fabio Silva tested Hugo Lloris from an acute angle but the Frenchman dealt with the threat.
Neither side could take control of the game and play was condensed in the middle third of the pitch. But Patricio had to be watchful as he claimed Bale’s dipping effort.
Dele Alli then got in on the act with some sublime skill and a decent cross only for Kane to fire well wide. On the half-hour mark Adama Traore set up Silva but the Wolves youngster dragged his shot wide of the target.
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— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) May 16, 2021
Conor Coady bailed out the visitors twice in quick succession with superb goal line clearances. But it was Spurs who enjoyed a half-time advantage thanks to Kane’s 45th-minute effort.
Hojbjerg’s excellent ball found the prolific striker who evaded Coady’s challenge before rounding the keeper and slotting home.
Alli shows his class
The second half began at a low-key pace but roared into life thanks to Alli. He combined well with Son and Giovani lo Celso before and fed Sergio Reguilon, whose drive was well saved by Patricio.
And on 54 minutes Spurs were left wondering how they had not doubled their advantage. Kane got beyond the last defender but Patricio tipped his effort into the post. Alli was in the right place backing up but his shot from the rebound struck the other post.
The hosts continued to play most of the football, with Alli and Kane a constant threat to the Wolves rearguard.
It seemed inevitable that they would add another and it duly came on 62 minutes. Ki-Jana Hoever will not look back favourably on the goal as he was caught in possession by Reguilon.
Son then fed Bale and the Welshman’s shot was parried into the path of Hojbjerg for a simple finish. Silva had a chance to respond almost immediately but, once again, dragged his shot wide.
Spurs seemed content to hold on to what they had and took the sting out of the game as the half progressed. The players visibly tired as the final whistle approached but the home side had done their work earlier in the contest.
Kane tried one last effort from 25 yards but his shot flew straight at Patricio.