LONDON: Harry Kane equalled Alan Shearer’s record for Premier League goals in a calendar year with a hat-trick in Tottenham’s 3-0 win at Burnley.
Recent away struggles for Spurs, coupled with Burnley’s impressive form, suggested the hosts could claim another big scalp. However, they were never in the game, falling behind to an early Kane penalty after Dele Alli had been brought down.
Kane netted twice more after the interval, showing his predatory instincts in front of goal on each occasion, as the hosts missed the suspended James Tarkowski at the heart of what had been a miserly defence prior to the game.
His third goal – one which completed his seventh hat-trick of 2017 in all competitions – saw him draw level with Shearer on 36 for league goals in a calendar year. Ex-England striker Shearer set his mark in 1995 when playing for Blackburn.
Kane will get the chance to break the record when Spurs host Southampton on Boxing
The result sees Spurs leapfrog their opponents – and local rivals Arsenal – in the table. They will go into Christmas in fifth place, one point behind Liverpool who occupy the final Champions League qualification spot.
Manchester City‘s seemingly inexorable march towards the Premier League title continued with a 17th successive win as Bournemouth were beaten 4-0 on Saturday.
The winning run began in August with a last-gasp victory away to Bournemouth, when Raheem Sterling struck in the seventh minute of stoppage time.
It was far more comfortable on this occasion as Sergio Aguero scored twice, while Sterling and Danilo were also on target. Pep Guardiola’s men still have dropped points just once this season, at home to Everton in the second round of matches on August 21.
Third-placed Chelsea are now 16 points behind City following a goalless draw at Everton.
Sam Allardyce’s unbeaten run as Toffees manager continued. Everton have four wins and two draws since the former England boss’ appointment.
West Ham were the most recent team to defeat Chelsea, but they were beaten 3-2 on Saturday as Newcastle ended a nine-match winless run.
When Marko Arnautovic gave the Hammers a sixth-minute lead, it looked like the hosts would build on their seven points in three games but Henri Saivet equalised with a fine strike and Mo Diame and Christian Atsu netted within 10 second-half minutes to give the Magpies a 3-1 lead.
Andre Ayew pulled a goal back after 69 minutes, having earlier had a penalty saved, but the Magpies won for the first time since October.
The win saw Newcastle climb out of the relegation zone, while a 3-1 win for Stoke over West Bromwich eased the pressure on Potters boss Mark Hughes.
Stoke took a 2-0 half-time lead through goals from Joe Allen and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting.
Salomon Rondon replied for the Baggies six minutes into the second half, but Ramadan Sobhi added a third in stoppage time as Stoke claimed just a second win in nine league matches to sit 14th at the halfway point of the season. West Brom’s winless run is now a club-record 18 games.
Brighton beat Watford 1-0 courtesy of Pascal Gross’ goal. After seven matches without a win the victory means Albion are now 12th, while Watford have one point from six matches.
Huddersfield are 11th, despite being held to a 1-1 draw at Southampton, who have now won just once in 10 league games. Charlie Austin gave Saints the lead, but Laurent Depoitre equalised for the Terriers.
Managerless Swansea are at the bottom of the table after a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace.
The Eagles took a 1-0 lead through Luka Milivojevic’s penalty, but Jordan Ayew equalised 13 minutes from time in the Swans’ first game since Paul Clement was sacked as boss.
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