Harry Kane became Tottenham’s all-time record goalscorer as his 267th goal for the club sealed a 1-0 victory over Manchester City that spoiled the champions’ bid to retain their Premier League title.
Kane’s historic first-half strike at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium saw him overtake Jimmy Greaves for the only hallowed record.
Greaves had held the milestone since 1970 before Kane moved level with him in his previous appearance against Fulham on January 23.
Kane’s milestone also made him only the third player to score 200 Premier League goals after Alan Shearer (260) and Wayne Rooney (208).
It was a memorable moment for Kane, who drew level with Rooney as England’s joint record scorer with 53 goals when he scored against France at the World Cup in December.
Passing on Greaves is increasingly inevitable for the prolific Kane, although ironically City could end their record chase if they succeed in their bid to sign him in 2021.
However, Kane’s incredible goalscoring streak seemed a distant dream during a difficult start to his career that featured a number of failed loan spells before finally becoming a star.
Greaves, who died aged 81 in 2021, was regarded as one of the most natural goalscorers in football history.
A member of England’s 1966 World Cup-winning squad, who scored 44 goals for his country, Greaves became the top goalscorer in England’s top-flight history with 357 goals.
For Kane to be alongside the legendary player is a tribute to his predatory instincts and perseverance.
The 29-year-old’s first Tottenham goal came back in 2011 against Shamrock Rovers in the Europa League.
If this is a cheap way to start a remarkable career, the record attack is even more important.
Arsenal’s shock 1-0 defeat at struggling Everton on Saturday gave City hope of overturning their lead.
However, Kane’s 19th goal in all competitions this season leaves City in second place five points behind Arsenal, who have a game in hand and host Pep Guardiola’s men in a crucial match on February 15.
Without boss Antonio Conte following an emergency operation to remove his gall bladder, Tottenham were led by his assistant Cristian Stellini and this result must have lifted the spirits of the recovering Italian.
Tottenham’s victory moved them to within one point of fourth-placed Newcastle in the hunt for Champions League qualification.
Kane made history
It took Kane just 15 minutes to make history as Rodri’s sloppy pass on the edge of town allowed Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to rob Manuel Akanji.
Hojbjerg delivered a pass to Kane and, with eternity in his sights, the striker guided a slightly scuffed shot past Ederson with typical efficiency.
Sprinting away to praise, Kane waved to his family, who sat under the scoreboard emblazoned with the message “Congratulations Harry” alongside a picture of him celebrating his previous goal for the club.
The England captain was adored by Tottenham fans chanting “Harry Kane, he’s one of our own” as the club’s youth academy product returned to the center circle with a wide grin.
City’s response was laborious and Guardiola was hard on the touchline, frustrated after the losing Erling Haaland opted to pass rather than shoot.
Riyad Mahrez was inches away from allaying Guardiola’s worries when he smashed a ferocious volley over the crossbar.
City came from two goals down at half-time to beat Tottenham 4-2 at the Etihad Stadium in January.
But with City showing no signs of replicating the fight, Guardiola sent on Kevin De Bruyne, surprisingly leaving the Belgian midfielder on the bench for “tactical” reasons.
De Bruyne’s presence lifted City and Julian Alvarez’s shot was deflected before Akanji called for a penalty in vain when his shot hit Cristian Romero’s arm.
In a tense finale, Tottenham had to play the final three minutes with 10 men after Romero was dismissed for his second booking when he chopped down Jack Grealish.