Kane makes mark on derby bow

Harry Kane’s first north London derby could not have gone much better with his match-winning display boosting Tottenham’s chances of finishing above Arsenal for the first time in 20 years.

The 21-year-old was the star of the show on Saturday, netting a brace as Spurs came from behind to secure victory in a pulsating encounter.

Kane cancelled out Mesut Ozil’s volley early in the second half and snatched a late 2-1 win with a wonderful header, further ingratiating himself with the White Hart Lane faithful.

“It was a fantastic feeling,” the striker said. “You could see from the way the fans celebrated at the end how much it meant and to score twice was unbelievable.

“I didn’t want to come off – I wish I was still out there now with the fans.

“It was a special day, my first north London derby and the way it panned out was just incredible. It’s something I won’t forget and I probably won’t sleep tonight.”

The on-field celebrations were a sight to behold but the post-match festivities were not so exciting, with Kane restricting himself to watching Match of the Day with a cup of tea ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Liverpool.

It is a match which offers Spurs the chance to keep the pressure on Arsenal, who they have, remarkably, not finished above since 1995.

Kane knows it will not be easy.

“There seems to be an opportunity every season and then come the end it doesn’t happen,” he said.

But while he is not obsessing about it, Kane knows that feat would likely see this season end successfully for Spurs.

“If we finish above Arsenal, of course we’ve got a great chance of finishing in the top four because Arsenal have been up there for so many years now,” he said.

“You’d like to think if you’re above Arsenal then you’d be in the top four but the Premier League is a strange league sometimes and you never know what’s going to happen. We’ve got to focus and do what we can do.”

Kane certainly believes Spurs have the squad depth, fitness and mental capabilities to maintain their charge, saying everyone at the club is “buzzing” right now.

The frontman insists maintaining the Capital One Cup finalists’ form is his only goal right now, despite talk of an England call-up heightening after Roy Hodgson witnessed his latest masterclass first-hand.

“I didn’t even know he was there to be honest,” Kane said. “I’ve just got to keep my head down and keep doing my best for Tottenham Hotspur.

“I’m really enjoying my football at the moment, playing with a smile on my face and days like these make it even better.”

That victory was made all the sweeter as it came just weeks after a picture emerged of a seven-year-old Kane wearing an Arsenal shirt during a brief spell with their academy.

“Of course it was nice to score after that,” Kane said. “I’m Tottenham through and through and this shows that. It’s an emotional day and one I’m very pleased with.”