Football: Kane breaks Greaves’ Tottenham goal record, now targets Shearer’s mark

LONDON – Harry Kane described becoming Tottenham Hotspur’s record goalscorer as surreal and a dream come true after taking his tally to 267 and moving past Jimmy Greaves on Sunday.

The 29-year-old struck in the 15th minute to earn his side a 1-0 win over Manchester City, also taking his English Premier League total to 200.

Kane, who joined Spurs as an 11-year-old, was mobbed by his teammates after the final whistle, then addressed fans in an on-pitch interview. A message of congratulations from the late Greaves’ son Danny was also shown on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium screens.

“It’s quite surreal, a magical feeling to do it in front of the home fans and to win the game, I wanted to do it at this special place and in front of these amazing fans,” said the England captain.

“I’ve been here since I was 11 and it’s been a lot of hard work and sacrifice and dedication. I remember my first Premier League game and now to reach 200 Premier League goals it’s hard to take it in, but when I’m older and look back, it will be something I’m very proud of.

“Jimmy was one of the best strikers ever to play the game, so to go above him is a dream come true.”

Kane’s 267 goals have come in 416 appearances for the club in all competitions, while Greaves, whose club record of 266 had stood since 1970, played 379 games.

Tottenham manager Antonio Conte was not present to see Kane’s milestone goal as he was recovering from surgery to remove his gallbladder but Sky Sports cameras showed Kane talking to him on the phone after the game.

Assistant manager Cristian Stellini led the plaudits.

“Harry Kane, in his DNA, he has football. He understands football in every moment. He can play in any position. He is a GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) in this league, in this sport. He is a great example,” the Italian said.

Kane is clearly hungry for more and said he was now aiming for the Premier League record of 260 set by former Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers striker Alan Shearer, who retired in 2006.

“I’m feeling good. I saw Alan earlier in the week. I’m sure he’ll be watching but not sure if he’ll be happy or not! I’ve got plenty of goals to come, I’m feeling good.

“Alan has set the record to beat. I’ll see if I can beat it.”

Kane’s strike partner, Son Heung-min, had no doubt Shearer’s record will be the next to fall.

The South Korean told Sky Sports: “I’m very happy I can share this feeling and this big honour with him, playing almost eight seasons and helping him achieve amazing things.

“I hope I can help him a little bit more so he can achieve every record. I think (he can break Shearer’s record). He is still young and still hungry.”

City manager Pep Guardiola had said before the clash that his own star striker Erling Haaland, who has an astounding 31 goals in 27 games in his debut season in England, can improve by watching Kane’s game.

But former Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher suggested that maybe it’s City and Guardiola who are not the best fit for the Norwegian.

He told Sky Sports: “(Haaland) might have picked the wrong club to actually get the best out of him.

“City have scored the exact number of goals as last season. He’s got 25 of them but City overall have scored the same number. However, they’ve conceded more and are easier to counter-attack against now. They are a different – and lesser team – with Haaland in the team.

“That’s not his fault. City won’t play end-to-end football. That’s not Pep Guardiola’s way.” REUTERS