Cardiff 0-3 Tottenham: Spurs ease to New Year triumph with first-half rout

Cardiff 0-3 Tottenham: Spurs ease to New Year triumph with first-half rout
Harry Kane ended his Cardiff curse as Tottenham stayed in the Premier League title picture with a 3-0 win in the Welsh capital.The England striker had previously scored at least once against 27 of the 28 Premier League opponents he had faced, with the Bluebirds the solitary team he had failed to net against in three previous encounters.3

Harry Kane netted his first goal against Cardiff City

But Kane needed only two and a half minutes to put that record straight on New Year’s Day, and further goals from Christian Eriksen and Son Heung-min provided a swift panacea to the pain of losing 3-1 at home to Wolves on Saturday.The victory eased Spurs back above Manchester City into second place and six points adrift of leaders Liverpool.Tottenham can now relax and watch the showdown between City and Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday, with Mauricio Pochettino’s side believing they can still force their way into title contention in 2019. Cardiff entered the contest in confident mood after four points from festive fixtures at Crystal Palace and Leicester had moved them three clear of the relegation zone.But Spurs were quickly ahead from a move which Kane started and finished for his 18th goal of the season.Kane drove through the midfield to find Kieran Trippier, and the England captain was in the right place when Cardiff made a hash of the cross and Sean Morrison diverted the ball against his knee for it to trickle past goalkeeper Neil Etheridge.Cardiff had switched Callum Paterson from his usual striking role to the right flank in an attempt to exploit Danny Rose aerially on crosses from the other side.The tactic almost worked when Paterson nearly got on the end of Josh Murphy’s deep ball, but he was foiled by a brave Rose header.3

Christian Eriksen scored Spurs’ second

Spurs doubled their lead after 12 minutes when Kane, dropping deep and pulling Sol Bamba out of position to devastating effect, sparked a move featuring Moussa Sissoko and Son.Harry Arter failed to cut out Son’s cross and Eriksen, shifting the ball from his left to right foot in the blink of an eye, cut the ball back into the bottom corner.It was a landmark moment for the Dane as it was the 100th Spurs goal he had been involved in – a record standing at 45 goals and 55 assists.The third came after 26 minutes when Sissoko beat Greg Cunningham in midfield to set another lightning Spurs attack in motion.Kane filled the number 10 position again to free the in-form Son, who easily evaded the attention of Morrison to fire home his eighth goal in nine games.3

Heung-min Son added the third

Cardiff found it difficult to get possession after that, although substitute Junior Hoilett did enliven them after the interval in their search for a first goal against Spurs for 41 years.Hoilett brought a first save out of Hugo Lloris when Spurs allowed Paterson’s cross to bounce in the box and he climbed above Trippier at the back post.Spurs could have had more but Kane, Son and Dele Alli were thwarted as Cardiff put bodies on the line to prevent their goal difference from worsening.Cardiff’s defeat extended their woeful record against the ‘big six’ sides, which now reads 15 successive losses and 48 goals conceded.The saving grace for manager Neil Warnock and company is that these are not the games that will determine Cardiff’s fate come the end of the season.

---

Manchester City star Bernardo Silva was the best player in England this season and could easily play for any club in the world, according to manager Pep Guardiola. Bernardo has been involved in 14
Kevin De Bruyne replacement, injury, Bernardo Silva

---

Media playback is not supported on this device Troy Deeney's referee comments raise eyebrows - literallyThe Football Association has asked Watford captain Troy Deeney to explain his comments following Wednesday's 3-3 draw with Bournemouth.In an interview for the BBC's Match of the Day programme, Deeney accused Bournemouth's Dan Gosling of "trying to do" Tom Cleverley…
Troy Deeney: FA asks Watford captain to explain comments

---

Chelsea starlet Tammy Abraham has reportedly rejected the chance to join Wolves and will instead remain on loan at Aston Villa. Abraham, the forward, appeared set to move to Molineux on a
Tammy Abraham: Chelsea forward reportedly rejects Wolves move

---

ANGEL RANGEL is joining Queens Park Rangers on a free transfer. The 35-year-old has been out of contract since his deal at McClaren's QPR needed to bolster his defence after Darnell Furlong sustained a knee injury which could rule him out for three months.

---

Stats prove Tottenham Hotspur ARE better with Dele Alli and suggest star should start Champions League Final against Liverpool by: 161385360554578 — Talk Sport 17 May Dele Alli has, by his own metroric standards, had a rather quiet season.
~ Tottenham Hotspur new stadium update: UEFA ready to let

---

Feb 08, 2019 · Liverpool is on a club-record 33-game home unbeaten run 2 goals for Salah in the next 4 games would make him the quickest to 50 PL goals Bournemouth has lost 7 PL away games in a row With four
Wolves 0-2 Liverpool, RESULT: Mohamed Salah - dailymail.co.uk

---

It's almost 17 years ago that Roy Keane was sensationally sent home […] "Roy was steaming - all I was thinking was, please don't come for me!"Listen back to Clinton Morrison's brilliant recollection of the infamous 'Saipan incident' w / Mick McCarthy has included three uncapped players in the first squad of his second spell
Clinton Morrison on Roy Keane & Mick McCarthy's 2002 World Cup

---

'I can't wait for Jurgen Klopp and Virgil van Dijk to leave Liverpool', says Everton fan Tony Bellew. Everton fan Tony Bellew has revealed his misery at Liverpool's success this season
'I can't wait for Jurgen Klopp and Virgil van Dijk to leave

---

Brighton 0-1 Liverpool. Liverpool moved seven points clear at the top of the Premier League with a hard-fought 1-0 away win at Brighton. Jurgen Klopp's side did not manage a shot on target in the first half, but were ahead early in the second after Pascal Gross fouled Mohamed Salah in the area and the Egyptian fired in the spot-kick.
Liverpool 4 0 Newcastle Mohamed Salah strikes in easy win for

---

Liverpool winger Sadio Mane has been linked with a move away from Anfield and the Reds are said to be keen on signing Manchester United flop Memphis Depay, according to reports. The Dutchman signed for Man United from PSV in 2015 but failed to fulfil his potential and struggled to win the confidence of Louis
Liverpool consider Manchester United flop Memphis Depay as

---

Manchester United news: Alexis Sanchez turns attention away from football to make acting debut in film Talksport; Man Utd fans lay into Alexis Sanchez after flop reveals he is starring in movie
Transfer news and football gossip: Alexis Sanchez wants Man

---

Transfer news and football gossip: Paul Pogba told to leave

---