Antonio Conte rued the timing of this international break coming so soon after becoming Tottenham’s new coach, but Friday’s 5-0 win over Albania in World Cup qualifying could be the catalyst for Harry Kane to finally kick-start his season.
It should be noted at the outset that Albania were a shadow of the team that arrived at Wembley occupying third place in Group I having beaten Hungary home and away in the process, failing to put up even a modicum of the challenge Gareth Southgate anticipated before kick-off. But this was nevertheless a restorative night for Kane, whose first-half hat-trick etched his name even more prominently in England’s record books, perhaps providing a timely reminder to all, including himself, of the 28-year-old’s enduring pedigree.
Harry Maguire had already headed the home side into a ninth-minute lead, meeting Reece James’ free-kick at the far post with an emphatic finish, by the time Kane got in on the act. Phil Foden released Jordan Henderson, who burst to the byline and stood up an inch-perfect cross that Kane, unmarked, headed home from inside the 6-yard box. A left-foot finish and a fine acrobatic volley — either side of turning provider for Henderson — completed the “perfect” hat-trick, the first time an England player has done so since David Platt in 1993.
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It also took Kane to joint-fourth on England’s all-time list with 44 goals, past Michael Owen and tied with Jimmy Greaves, his fellow Spurs striker who sadly died aged 81 in September. Only Jimmy Greaves (six) and Gary Lineker (five) have now scored more hat-tricks for England than Harry Kane’s four.
Kane’s goals also made him England’s record scorer in competitive matches, surpassing Wayne Rooney’s tally of 37 to move to 39. These statistics are all reminders of Kane’s place in history, but it is the here and now that has been the problem. Some will point to the modest opposition providing an ideal chance for stat-padding, but Kane has not looked this sharp against any level of opposition all season.
“I thought Harry gave a brilliant centre-forward’s performance,” said Southgate after the match. “He held the ball up, played other people in. His all-round game was excellent.”
England has been something of a haven for Kane compared to his form for Spurs, something Conte will clearly aim to address. To underline the point, he has six international goals to his name this term. Kane’s last six Premier League goals stretch back all the way to April 14. It can only be a beginning, especially with minnows San Marino to come next on Monday, but Kane has needed a performance to point to as evidence he is capable of putting a difficult summer behind him, and this was it. (ESPN)
