Harry Kane has hailed the way Tottenham ground out an important three points against Burnley in the race for Champions League qualification.
Spurs edged the Clarets with a 1-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with Kane’s penalty shortly before half-time proving to be the different between both sides.
After a flurry of Spurs chances early on, the visitors frustrated Antonio Conte’s men for the vast majority of the game and often fell back on the excellent reflexes of Nick Pope to keep the scoreline close.
But Kane believes Spurs, who have leapfrogged Arsenal into fourth in the Premier League table, did well to earn a hard-fought victory in north London.
Kane told BT Sport: “[It was] a really tough game. We knew it was going to be really hard against Burnley. Obviously they are fighting for points down at the relegation [zone].
“It was a tough battle, it was about getting that breakthrough. Thankfully it came at a really good time for us just before half-time.
“But in the second half I thought we played really well. We had a couple more chances, obviously Sonny went close and some good saves from [Nick] Pope. Overall really hard-fought and delighted with the three points.
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“Burnley are a good side, compact and tough to break down. We had a couple of chances, I had a couple headers early on that just didn’t go in.
“But these games are tough. Burnley are fighting for every point, we’re obviously trying to get as close as we can to the top four. We’re there now, we’ll wait and see what Arsenal do tomorrow. These are tough battles and delighted and proud of the boys for this one.”
The lone goal of the match came without controversy, though, with VAR awarding Tottenham a spot kick having identified a handball in the box from Ashley Barnes.
And Kane, who rolled the penalty into the side-netting, feels the match officials got the decision right despite remonstration from the Burnley players and staff.
“I think it was a clear penalty. If you look at the other penalties that have been given this season, I think for sure it was the right decision. But sometimes you get them, sometimes you don’t. Thankfully we did today.
“I’ve practiced [penalties] a lot with Popey, obviously he decided to stay down the middle thankfully. It probably wasn’t my cleanest strike but it found the bottom corner which is nice.”
With Spurs up to fourth place, all eyes will be on St James’ Park when fellow top four chasers Arsenal travel to Newcastle on Monday night.
Kane admits he will be keeping close tabs on proceedings in Tyneside, but adds that full focus will still be on next week’s final match of the campaign at Norwich.
He added: “It will be a good game to watch for sure. Obviously, Newcastle have been doing great in the second half of the season.
“We’ve done our job today and the last couple of games. We’ve got to recover and see what happens, but there’s still next week as well. It’s all to play for.”
Spurs Web Opinion
It was a tough one to watch as Spurs couldn’t really break through Burnley’s pretty resolute defence.
The penalty decision, as contentious as it may be, was still correct according to the law and Spurs will no doubt take that with one game to go.
It is still out of their hands in terms of the top four race, but they are winning games and doing their own job first which is the most important thing.
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