Harry Kane believes Tottenham’s Barclays Premier League title ambitions could be boosted rather than hindered by playing after leaders Leicester.
Claudio Ranieri’s side dropped points on Sunday for the first time since March 1 and Mauricio Pochettino’s men capitalised on Monday, making light work of the increased scrutiny and a supposedly tricky trip to Stoke.
Spurs were 4-0 winners at the Britannia Stadium and Kane reckons it could have been six on another day, with the in-form striker calling it a “fantastic night” as they cut the Foxes’ cushion to five points.
The north London outfit will continue to play after Leicester until the season finale – something that sharpened the mind as they began an unusual run of three straight Monday matches.
“The lads have been itching to play,” Kane said. “Watching all the football over the weekend and having to wait until Monday night to play, gets you ready, gets you firing.
“Watching the games, it was a chance for us to gain some points and we’ve gone out there and showed what we’re capable of.”
Kane is confident Spurs will push Leicester all the way, given the fixtures Leicester face – home games against Swansea and Everton, and trips to Manchester United and Chelsea.
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“With more performances like that, I’m sure we’ll push them all the way,” he said.
“All we can do is keep doing what we’re doing. We’ve got to win all our games.
“We want to win all four of them and then we will go from there.”
He added: “Obviously Leicester have got some tough games coming up.
“They’re in the driving seat. All we can do is keep winning our games.”
Ranieri’s men will have to cope without top scorer Jamie Vardy for at least one match after he was sent off during Sunday’s 2-2 draw against West Ham.
Matters could get worse as his angry reaction brought a Football Association charge for improper conduct, which could lead to an additional ban.
“It’s hard for me to talk about,” Kane said, understandably reluctant to wade in on the subject.
“The referee has made a decision and whatever way he’s reacted, he’s reacted.
“It’s down to the FA and whatever they choose to do. It’s not really my decision.”
Vardy’s absence should help Kane in his quest for the golden boot, though, as Monday’s brace moved him two ahead of the Leicester frontman.
The 24-goal tally is one more than rudderless Aston Villa have managed in total, and underlines how laughable predictions were that the striker would be a one-season wonder.
“There was a lot of talk at the start of the season,” Kane said. “It fuelled the fire in my belly to want to prove them wrong and I’ve gone and done that.
“It doesn’t stop here for me. It’s not a case of ‘okay, I’m happy where I am’.
“I want to go and get more goals, create my chances for the team and do my best for Tottenham Hotspur.”
Kane is already looking ahead to Monday’s home clash with West Brom, which comes a day after the Professional Footballers’ Association awards dinner in central London.
The 22-year-old is third favourite behind Leicester duo Riyad Mahrez and Vardy for the Player of the Year gong, and is also on the shortlist for the Young Player of the Year accolade, although he may not be able to attend.
“I’m not sure if I will be able to make it, with the game on Monday,” he said.
“Sometimes you’ve got to look at the bigger picture, and Monday is more important for us as a team.
“I haven’t spoken to the gaffer about it. I’ll see what he wants me to do and we’ll go from there.”
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