LONDON – Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane will have beaten every goalscoring record by the time he retires, according to the club’s manager Antonio Conte.

The 29-year-old England captain needs just three more goals to become Spurs’ all-time record scorer after his brace in Wednesday’s 4-0 thumping of Crystal Palace.

Defender Matt Doherty and Son Heung-min netted further goals for the visitors as Palace capitulated in the second half, having been the better side in the opening period when the teams went to the break at 0-0.

The double – which took Kane’s tally to 15 in the English Premier League this season – moved him on to 264 goals, two shy of the late Jimmy Greaves’ tally.

Kane has 198 Premier League goals, with only Alan Shearer (260) and Wayne Rooney (208) ahead of him.

“I think to speak about Harry, I think a bit that we waste time to explain about the type of player that he is,” said Conte, after Spurs’ first victory since the Premier League resumed following the World Cup break.

“I repeat, we are talking about a really world-class striker and he’s going to beat every record with the goals.”

Conte says his belief that Kane will set new milestones is based on what a strong character he is.

Kane has had to bounce back after his missed penalty in the World Cup quarter-final with France saw the French prevail 2-1. If he had converted it, he would also have become England’s record goalscorer.

He had made no mistake with the first spot kick, striking it past Spurs teammate Hugo Lloris to equal Rooney’s record of 53 goals.

“For us, he’s an important point of reference, not only for the goal but also on the pitch and with Hugo (Lloris) our captain,” said Conte.

“Especially in the difficult moments, Harry, you know that he is ready to fight, ready to help the teammates, ready to solve the situation with a goal, with an assist.

“To continue this way, to face every situation positive or negative, always with a great spirit, great character, to overcome the difficulty, I think, in this period and also before the start of the World Cup.”

Tottenham’s victory puts them just two points off fourth-placed Manchester United, though the latter have a game in hand.

Kane could potentially break the Tottenham record this weekend in their FA Cup third-round home tie against Portsmouth.

However, Conte may want to rest him as the club’s next league match is on Sunday week at home to north London rivals and table toppers Arsenal.

“It was a really important win. We have not come back (from Qatar) and got the best results. It was nice to put that performance in,” Kane told Sky Sports.

“It was about moving the ball quick, getting runs in behind and then quality in the final third. It was great to keep a clean sheet...

“We scored at an important time in the game. We have done well this season in terms of when we get one goal, a second is not too far behind. It is a really good win.”

Former Spurs and England midfielder Jamie Redknapp hailed Kane’s second-half masterclass.

He told Sky Sports: “He was just incredible, not just his goals, his all-round play. He held it up, brought people into play, his touch was exquisite.

“It was a masterclass second half and his second goal is as good as it gets.

“The touch and the finish is sublime and we’ve seen him do it time and time again. Just an incredible player.”

Former Liverpool manager and captain Graeme Souness added: “He is a class act, the one English player who is truly world class for me.

“I think they will finish in the top four because they have him. Keep him fit. He is Mr Goals. And you’ve got a good chance of winning games if you’ve got him in your team.” REUTERS