Antonio Conte hopes that he is
satisfying Harry Kane’s cravings
after his forward inspired them to
“dream” of qualifying for the
Champions League.
Kane played his part in two of the
goals as Tottenham came from
behind to beat Newcastle United 5-1
and record a fifth win in six matches
to move into the top four places.
Conte added that his only
disappointment for Kane was that he
couldn’t cap his display with a goal.
The England captain’s future will be
back on the agenda at the end of the
season when there is likely to be
interest from Manchester United. He
has made it clear that he wants to win
trophies and desired a move to
Manchester City last summer.
“I want to tell him thanks because
he is always a big example for
everything and I hope to give him
satisfaction,” the head coach said. “We
have eight finals and every game will
be important to get points and
continue to dream to finish in the
Champions League this season.”
Conte said that his squad had
gelled since they lost four times in
five matches in January and February,
when he raised the possibility of
leaving. Arsenal can regain the fourth
spot if they avoid defeat away to
Crystal Palace tonight, which is oneConte: Team have improved
and we can start to dream
of two matches they have in hand.
“My team now is in the race because I
have seen great improvement,” Conte
said. “Arsenal has a good advantage.
We have to try to stay in the race
and give our best.”
Eddie Howe said that a third
straight defeat should be a “jolt” for
his players not to think that they are
safe, having dropped 24 points from
leading positions, the highest in
the Premier League. He admitted
having to rein back his criticism in
the dressing room. “In hindsight,
we might look back on this as a
good thing, it might realign our
thoughts and get us back to the
basics,” Howe said.
“I’m being careful to not go too
over the top with my criticism. We
need to be smarter. It was in our
desire to get back into the game.
We’re in a position we didn’t expect to
be in. Maybe this is a little jolt that we
can’t get ahead of ourselves. There
was no doubt that was ever the case
[that we’re in a relegation battle] in
my mind.”
He said that he omitted Bruno
Guimarães from the starting side
because he wanted to revert to a team
that had been unbeaten in nine
league matches, as well as the fact he
had not trained with the squad while
away on international duty with
Brazil. Howe said that he still hoped
that Kieran Trippier would play this
season after breaking a foot.GARY JACOBConte switched to a back four, with
ten minutes remaining. Spurs were so
dominant, their full backs, Doherty
and Davies, often so pushed up that
they were almost in a 2-4-4, and their
enterprise was rewarded again. Dier
and Son progressed the ball, before
Moura slipped Bergwijn through.
The Dutchman ran on, kept his
composure and footing, before
shooting low past Dubravka.
All that Spurs fans desired now
was a goal from Kane. “Shoot!” they
shouted and he obliged, although his
effort flew wide. No matter. They
simply sang “Antonio, Antonio” again,
about Conte the catalyst.minutes, breaking down the right,
targeting Son. The ball carried on
towards the far post, where Doherty
darted behind Schar and Javier
Manquillo to head Spurs in front.
Then the party really started. Kane
was magnificent, causing havoc and
creating havoc. Newcastle could not
live with him as he dropped off,
confusing Schar and Burn, and
bemusing Shelvey. Kane appeared in
space again within six minutes, lifting
the ball down the right to the lively
Dejan Kulusevski, who found Son
eight yards out. The Korean took a
touch with his left, then finished
unstoppably with the same foot.
Now Spurs were above Arsenal,
and they cemented that position —
for now — with a fine fourth after
63 minutes. Howe briefly withdrew
Shelvey into a back three, but to no
avail. Again Kane was involved deep,
Son worked the move left to Doherty,
who exchanged passes with
Kulusevski as he raced in. Doherty
transferred the ball on to his right
foot before crossing for Emerson to
turn the ball in. This was turning into
a Royal command performance.
Conte began rotating, withdrawing
Bentancur and Kulusevski for Harry
Winks and Lucas Moura, then Steven
Bergwijn came on for Emerson asAttackers change
mood for Conte
Tottenham Hotspur’s
attacking trio have
changed the mood since the
team lost four times in five
league matches and
Antonio Conte, right,
questioned his future.
They have produced
27 goal contributions in
the past eight league
matches. Harry Kane
has eight goals and four
assists, Son Heung-min
has five goals with three
assists and Dejan Kulusevski
two goals and five assists.
Kane has assisted 40 goals
in the Premier League; he
achieved the first 20 in
211 matches and his last
20 have taken just 63.
Bergwijn sends out
message to suitors
Steven Bergwijn must feel like
his time is close to being up at
Tottenham Hotspur, having been
given just nine minutes to impress,
which he did by scoring a third
goal of the season. Tottenham
led 4-1 after 63 minutes. The
attacking player has started
only four league matches this
season and has fallen down the
pecking order after the arrival of
Dejan Kulusevski, left. Bergwijn
scored three goals in two games
for Holland and then suggested a
summer move was possible.
Antonio Conte responded by
saying that Bergwijn needed to do
more work off the ball. But it is
likely he will be among the player
sales to generate transfer funds in
the summer.Royal appointment
brings mixed result
Emerson Royal and
Matt Doherty combined
for the fourth Tottenham
goal in a much
improved second
half but there was,
and has been,
plenty of evidence
to question their
threat as a full-
back pair.
Doherty has
been playing well on
the right but was hindered
by having to switch sides to
accommodate Emerson, after
Sergio Reguilón was ruled out.
Yes, they both got on the
scoresheet, but in general play
Emerson’s first cross hit a
defender, and it got little better.the times | Monday April 4 2022 1GG 3
thegame
Kane is in the
picture but it
is Davies who
supplies the
opening goal
for SpursGETTY IMAGES
SPURS HAVE EASIEST RUN-IN
Tottenham............................................4th
P 30 GD 15 Pts 54
April 9 Aston Villa (A)
April 16 Brighton (H)
April 23 Brentford (A)
April 30 Leicester (H)
May 7 Liverpool (A)
May 15 Burnley (H)
May 22 Norwich (A)
Date TBC Arsenal (H)
Average position
of opponentArsenal.............................................................5th
P 28 GD 13 Pts 54
April 4 Crystal Palace (A)
April 9 Brighton (H)
April 16 Southampton (A)
April 20 Chelsea (A)
April 23 Manchester United (H)
May 1 West Ham (A)
May 7 Leeds (H)
May 15 Newcastle (A)
May 22 Everton (H)
Date TBC Tottenham (A)
Average position
of opponentWest Ham......................................................6th
P 31 GD 11 Pts 51
April 10 Brentford (A)
April 17 Burnley (H)
April 24 Chelsea (A)
May 1 Arsenal (H)
May 7 Norwich (A)
May 15 Manchester City (H)
May 22 Brighton (A)
Average position
of opponentManchester United..................................7th
P 30 GD 8 Pts 51
April 9 Everton (A)
April 16 Norwich (H)
April 19 Liverpool (A)
April 23 Arsenal (A)
May 2 Brentford (H)
May 7 Brighton (A)
May 15 Chelsea (H)
May 22 Crystal Palace (A)
Average position
of opponent11.5
10.4
10.7
10.8