5 things we learned as Tottenham smash Southampton on Boxing Day thanks to record-breaker Harry Kane
Harry Kane surpassed Messi as the top scorer in Europe in 2017
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Your support makes all the difference.Spurs’ striker Harry Kane continues on his way to becoming one of the best goal scorers of all-time. The England international scored a hat-trick against Southampton to make it 56 goals in 2017 and becomes the best striker of the year in the top five European Leagues. Kane surpassed Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, who finishes the year with 54 goals, as well as Bayern’s Robert Lewandowski, Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo and PSG’s Edison Cavani, who are even with 53.
Moreover, Spurs’ No 10 entered into Premier League’s history too, as he scored his 39th goal in 2017 and broke Alan Shearer’s 1995 record of 36 strikes during a calendar year. Shearer’s amazing performance helped Blackburn Rovers to win the Premier League in 1994/95 season and now Kane is trying to achieve the same goal, although Manchester City’s form looks likely to make that very difficult.
But what did we learn from a lunchtime Boxing Day cracker?
1. Southampton’s defence made it too easy
Saints boss Mauricio Pellegrino has a lot of work ahead, at least in terms of defence. The level shown by his four defenders against Tottenham was never close to good enough and Spurs’ strikers had too many spaces and chances to pepper the goal of Fraser Foster.
The south coast team may need to strengthen their defence via the transfer market if they do not want to find themselves struggling against relegation by the end of the season. Of course, Pellegrino could lose his best defender anyway as Manchester City has been linked to Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk.
If they weren't going to buy already, they will now.
2. No Austin, no goal
Southampton travelled to Wembley without his top goalscorer Charlie Austin after the Englishman was banned for three matches for violent conduct.
Austin caught Huddersfield goalkeeper Jonas Lossl in the face during the 1-1 draw in Saturday and the FA banned him for three games.
His absence against Tottenham was painfully noticeable. Instead of Austin, Pellegrino chose Shane Long as the main striker but the Irishman continues with his amazing dry streak. Long has not scored during his last 34 appearances with the Saints. This winter transfer period could be a great opportunity for Southampton to try to solve this scoring problem, as well as the one they have at the back.
3. Son never stops
Apart from Harry Kane’s barely credible level of performance, Spurs’ best news is the great performances of Korean Son Heung-min. Tottenham’s No 7 is in outstanding form and put in another great performance against Southampton, adding another goal to his impressive numbers.
In addition to his attacking skills, Son contributes to the Spurs with an extraordinary defensive attitude - as you have to under Poch. The Korean always helps both full-backs and shows a great intensity when it is needed. If he continues with this level, it will be very difficult for returning Argentinian Erik Lamela to find his way back into the first XI.
4. Spurs’ defence need to improve to fight in Europe
Although Spurs played well against Southampton and their attacking threat is not in doubt, they also showed some problems in defence, a familiar situation all season.
It may be enough to fight in the Premier League and continue to get results, but not in the Champions League when you come up against elite attackers in the knockout stages. After a great result, beating Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund, now the Spurs will have to face Juventus in the last 16 and even stronger teams if they go further.
If you can't defend, you can't progress in a competition as good as that so Pochettino has his work cut out. Two sloppy goals today.
5. Kane is able
Yeah, you might have heard something about Harry Kane? We've covered that pretty thoroughly here and here.
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