Harry Kane’s record-breaking headed goal took Tottenham to a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace and lifted his side up to sixth in the Premier League table.
At the end of an underwhelming first half, Kane made the difference for struggling Spurs, converting his 10th header of the season to boost their European qualification hopes. That’s the most headed goals recorded by a Premier League player in one campaign.
It was also his 209th goal in the competition overall, moving him clear of Wayne Rooney into outright second in the all-time scoring charts, with Alan Shearer’s total of 260 in his sights.
While 26-goal Kane continues to rack up milestones, there remains an uncertainty from his team-mates. Cristian Romero had earlier hit the bar from a corner but Spurs found it difficult in open play to break down a well-organised Palace side. They looked like a team which had not won any of their last four.
In contrast, in-form Palace had arrived in a positive mood and will be kicking themselves for not capitalising on a strong start to the second half, which saw Wilfried Zaha and Ebe Eze fire off target.
Their frustration was plain to see in the final stages. Interim boss Ryan Mason, 31, the youngest head coach in the Premier League, will be satisfied to get the better of the division’s oldest manager, Roy Hodgson, 75, and see his side record a rare clean sheet after shipping 15 in their previous four games.
His change of system to a back four was vindicated – and it could have been a more comfortable win had Sam Johnstone not saved Heung-Min Son’s late one-on-one.
Tottenham’s victory means they now sit two points off fifth-placed Liverpool, who host Brentford on Saturday evening on Sky Sports. With Chelsea winning at Bournemouth, Palace slip to 12th.
