Kane nets as Tottenham recover from woeful start to boost top four hopes

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Tottenham steadied their ship after a wretched first 20 minutes to secure a vital three points against Aston Villa.

If Tottenham fans had hopes of a fast start to banish their Europa League disappointment, they were in for a rude awakening.


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Aston Villa had the better of the game’s opening stages, with Davinson Sanchez in particular labouring in defence.

Still lacking club talisman Jack Grealish’s potency, however, a series of promising attacks came to nothing.

Their inability to land a killer blow would be punished just before the half hour mark.

Lucas Moura snapped in well to win back possession high up the pitch. Neat interplay with Harry Kane set the Brazilian free before drawing the goalkeeper’s attentions and cutting the ball across the face of goal.

With two queueing up at the far post, Carlos Vinicius tapped into the empty net to put his side in front.

Despite their advantage, Tottenham’s performance failed to improve throughout the remainder of the half.

Jose Mourinho had cut a frustrated figure on the touchline since the first whistle. Before the half ended the Portuguese sloped off down the tunnel, perhaps indicating a raucous half-time team talk would be forthcoming.

Spurs made a brighter start following the interval, and were unlucky not to double their advantage early on.

Kane evaded his marker on the edge of the box but his curled effort flew agonisingly wide of the post.

Villa soon regained their composure and began to threaten once more. Wingers Trezeguet and Anwar El Ghazi both came close, but the vital breakthrough as yet remained elusive.

Tottenham were then gifted the chance to double theiradvantage when Matty Cash needlessly conceded a penalty.

The full-back went to ground attempting to block a Kane cross, but succeeded only in felling England’s number nine.

Kane stepped up to the spot and made no mistake, sending Emiliano Martinez the wrong way to make it 2-0.

Villa’s heads did not drop, and but for a superb last-ditch block from Japhet Tanganga, the deficit could’ve been reduced to one via the boot of Ross Barkley.

That would prove be be the hosts’ last hurrah as Tottenham wound down the clock to secure a crucial three points.