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Rob DawsonReporter
MANCHESTER, England – A title race broke out at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night and although this one will be irrelevant Harry KaneThe England striker has had a glimpse of what could happen at Tottenham under Antonio Conte.
– Report: Kane great as Spurs topple Man City
Kane’s 95th-minute winner sealed a thrilling 3-2 victory City of Manchester, after Man City leveled in the 92nd minute from a penalty taken by VAR. In the end, Kane’s goal was celebrated with the same vigor on Merseyside as in the first leg final; LiverpoolNorwich’s win over Norwich on Saturday earlier means they are six points behind Pep Guardiola’s side with a game in hand.
There is still life this Premier League season, and Kane more than anyone has the responsibility to deliver it, with two goals in a stellar display against a club that have been desperate to sign him this season. summer. It’s the kind of individuality that justifies Daniel Levy’s £150m valuation, but it also gives Conte hope that if the 28-year-old can be persuaded to stay, Tottenham can challenge City. and Liverpool this time next year.
The flip side to it, though, is that if there’s one game that convinces City to pay big for Kane again in the summer, it’s this one. “He’s ours,” the Spurs fans sang happily after the final whistle. The question is, for how long?
It was remarkable that they had enough energy to sing anything after over 100 minutes of panting, which culminated in a chaotic finale. With Tottenham leading 2-1 as the fourth official table went up to show seven extra minutes, Riyad Mahrez First time scoring the equalizer from the penalty spot after VAR Lee Mason helped referee Anthony Taylor spot it Cristian Romero processed Bernardo Silvaof the cross. At the time, it looked like Spurs would collapse, but soon Dejan Kulusevskiwho scored the opening goal in the first five minutes of his first game since coming from Juventus in January, bounce to the right and cross to Kane for a header Ederson.
It’s Kane at his best, the Premier League at his best and maybe, just maybe, the first sparks of a title race to match the intensity and drama served here.
“We don’t have to lose a game to know how difficult it is [to win the title]”Guardiola said afterwards sounding annoyed.” Tottenham have a lot of quality, they serve Harry Kane. They are really good at the front.
“In the first half they had the goal and no more. In the second half they had an attack with Harry Kane at the top and they scored. They were clinical. Everyone knows what Kane brings. that is not necessary. [for Kane] to show it today. The goals he scores and the quality of the ball, [everyone in] The UK knows it. “
Kane’s performance culminated in City’s first defeat since October 30, ending a run of 43 points against a possible 45.
“There’s a long way to go [in the title race]. If we didn’t know before, now we know,” Ilkay Gundoganwho scored Man City’s first equalizer midway through the first half after a mistake from Hugo Lloris. “Now we have to work hard for the next few weeks.”
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If Liverpool attempt to overhaul Man City at the top of the table, February 19, 2020 will turn out to be an important date. Jurgen Klopp’s side had to fight back from a goal to defeat Norwich 3-1 at Anfield, while Man City leveled twice against Tottenham, but in the end there was still no result. If Liverpool win the match, they will be three points behind Man City before their trip to the Etihad Stadium on April 9.
For now, however, Conte is only interested in the race for fourth place and his results – his best since taking the job – after a three-match losing streak. Conte is still playing for Juventus the last time Spurs lost four consecutive Premier League games. His team, led by the vibrant Kane and Heung-Min BoyHe played so well that in the second half, Guardiola gave up every time the white-shirted defense rushed over the halfway line.
“We followed a plan,” said Conte. “Manchester City will keep possession for 65 to 70 minutes of the game so we need to have a good strategy. But even when defending, our first thought is to attack, and this win will It’s not easy to meet Manchester City after three consecutive defeats.
“Harry is definitely an important player for us. Today our strikers played very well. Just one win is not enough. Don’t forget that we are losing three games. But one win. The win against Manchester City was great. We have a lot of space for improvement.”
It is a result that will give Conte confidence that, with better players around Kane and Son, he can continue his ambition to take Tottenham to the top of the table. For now, however, he will settle down for City’s hopes of staying there.
