Golden Boot-chasing Kane leads Tottenham to win over Wolves

Posted May 16, 2021 7:00 am

The Associated Press

Tottenham's Harry Kane, center, scores the opening goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, Sunday, May 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Adrian Dennis, Pool) The Associated Press

LONDON (AP) - Harry Kane endured a frustrating match in his bid to win the Premier League's Golden Boot for the third time despite scoring in Tottenham's 2-0 win over Wolverhampton on Sunday.

Kane's 45th-minute goal moved him to a league-leading 22 for the season - one clear of Liverpool's Mohamed Salah - but the England captain also struck the post twice and had an effort cleared off the line.

Kane has two games left while Salah has three, starting with West Bromwich Albion later Sunday. Kane was the league's top scorer in the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who set up Kane for the opening goal with a piercing through-ball, added the second in the 64th minute by tapping in a rebound from close range after Gareth Bale's shot was saved.

Tottenham moved into sixth place, above West Ham on goal difference, and still has a mathematical - if highly unlikely - chance of finishing in the top four in the race for Champions League qualification after winning three of its last four league games under interim manager Ryan Mason. The team is five points behind fourth-place Chelsea.

'œWe are not happy with where we are, we should be higher and we only have ourselves to blame,'ť Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli said.

"We are showing now what we can do but it is a bit too late. We just have to keep working hard and take it into the next season as well.'ť

Kane could easily have had a hat trick at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with the striker curling a long-range shot from distance against the base of the post in the fifth minute and then beating goalkeeper Rui Patricio to a high ball only to see his header cleared off the line by backpedaling defender Conor Coady.

Off a sharp counterattack early in the second half, Alli slipped a ball through for Kane but his low shot was tipped onto the post by Patricio. Alli latched onto the rebound but struck the follow-up against the other post.

'œExcellent," Mason said of Tottenham's display. "We created lots of chances and the score line was probably a bit flattering to them. There were big moments, their keeper made a couple of good saves, we hit the post three times and dominated the game in the second half, so really pleased.'ť

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Tottenham's Harry Kane, right, celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, Sunday, May 16, 2021. AP Photo/Shaun Botterill, Pool) The Associated Press

Tottenham Hotspur's Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, left, celebrates with teammates after scoring their second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, Sunday, May 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Shaun Botterill, Pool) The Associated Press

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