Harry Kane’s goal against Everton on Saturday kept the Tottenham forward on course for an historic double.
Kane needs just nine more goals to surpass Jimmy Greaves’s all-time record of 266 for Spurs and, with the World Cup looming, he is just two shy of Wayne Rooney’s record England haul. All being well, Kane will surely celebrate becoming the top scorer for club and country in the same season, possibly even in the same month.
Against Manchester United tonight, Kane is vying for a far less meaningful milestone, but one which nonetheless reflects his consistency: if he scores, he will become the first Spurs player to find the net in six consecutive Premier League games, despite the sense that he is still working his way through the gears this season.
United’s big wins over Arsenal and Liverpool this season have been achieved with a counter-attacking style, but Conte is happy for his side to cede possession and play in transition, particularly in this kind of match. A game of cat and mouse potentially awaits, so there may be a particular onus on standout individuals, like Kane, to make the difference in a cagey affair.
If Kane is looking for inspiration, Cristiano Ronaldo delivered a classic one-man show in this fixture last season, scoring a brilliant hat-trick as Spurs went down 3-2, despite an encouraging display.
United manager Erik ten Hag faces a decision over whether to stick with the Portuguese or recall Marcus Rashford, who was benched for the 0-0 draw with Newcastle at the weekend.
Spurs will also be without Richarlison, who is set to be sidelined for two weeks, and a question for Conte is whether to move Ivan Perisic or Lucas Moura into the front three, or switch to a five-man midfield, with Yves Bissoma coming in and Heung-min Son partnering Kane up front.
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United’s big wins over Arsenal and Liverpool this season have been achieved with a counter-attacking style, but Conte is happy for his side to cede possession and play in transition, particularly in this kind of match. A game of cat and mouse potentially awaits, so there may be a particular onus on standout individuals, like Kane, to make the difference in a cagey affair.
If Kane is looking for inspiration, Cristiano Ronaldo delivered a classic one-man show in this fixture last season, scoring a brilliant hat-trick as Spurs went down 3-2, despite an encouraging display.
United manager Erik ten Hag faces a decision over whether to stick with the Portuguese or recall Marcus Rashford, who was benched for the 0-0 draw with Newcastle at the weekend.
Spurs will also be without Richarlison, who is set to be sidelined for two weeks, and a question for Conte is whether to move Ivan Perisic or Lucas Moura into the front three, or switch to a five-man midfield, with Yves Bissoma coming in and Heung-min Son partnering Kane up front.
Register now for one of the Evening Standard’s newsletters. From a daily news briefing to Homes & Property insights, plus lifestyle, going out, offers and more. For the best stories in your inbox, click here.