Garth Crooks has named Harry Kane and Emerson Royal in his Team of the Week, praising that Brazilian for the way he defended against Jack Grealish on Sunday.
Harry Kane’s 15th-minute strike proved the difference between Spurs and Man City, with the Lilywhites maintaining their proud record of having not lost a point or conceded a goal against Pep Guardioal’s men at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Kane’s strike will live long in his memory as not only did it mean that he overtook Jimmy Greaves’ record for Tottenham but also it also saw him becoming the third player to enter the Premier League 200-goal club after Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney (Premierleague.com).
Crooks pointed out the irony of the striker breaking the record against City – a club that he was desperate to join 18 months ago in order to win silverware.
The former Tottenham man wrote in his column for BBC Sport: “What an achievement. To score a record 267 goals for your club and 200 Premier League goals in a career is quite special.
“To take the record from Jimmy Greaves, one of the greatest finishers that ever lived, makes the achievement all the more mesmerising.
“There is, of course, a certain irony attached to Kane’s accomplishment, as his record goal was scored against Manchester City, a side he almost joined.
“Had he done so, he wouldn’t have achieved the historic feat, but he would almost certainly have one hand on a Premier League title and eyeing a Champions League trophy. I suppose that’s the price you pay when you pursue records and not trophies.”
Crooks also praised Emerson for the way he nullified Grealish’s threat down City’s left flank.
He wrote about the Brazilian: “Not my favourite player, but I must say the way in which Royal dealt with Jack Grealish, Manchester City’s best player against Spurs, was very impressive.”
Spurs Web Opinion
I have to admit that I was one of the many Spurs fans who were frustrated by Conte’s decision to offload Spence and Doherty and hang on to Emerson.
However, I am glad that the Brazilian proved me wrong and I am extremely pleased for him as the 24-year-old seems to have a fantastic attitude, and certainly has not deserved the kind of vitriol that is directed at him by a section of the fan base.
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