As Harry Kane stood on the edge of the box, left of center, instantly calculating, pulse slowing, it felt like everyone in the stadium knew what was going to happen. All eyes were on the far corner of the Portsmouth net. The ball duly followed.
It was on this day in 1970 that Jimmy Greaves scored his 265th goal for Tottenham, in an FA Cup win against Bradford. This was Kane’s 265th and, more significantly, moved him within one goal of Greaves’ all-time club record.
Kane’s 50th-minute finish followed a one-two with Ryan Sessegnon and a dart away from Joe Morrell. It was the highlight of a third-round tie that saw Spurs clear in the second half, having flattered to deceive until the break.
Portsmouth are in crisis after sacking manager Danny Cowley on Monday following a run of one win in 14 League One games. The decision was made in a desperate attempt to revive the dream of promotion. Under the caretaker, Simon Bassey, they did as well as could reasonably be expected, but the gulf in class was too wide.
Kane now has 17 goals for the season. Tottenham’s next game is the derby here against Arsenal next Sunday, which would give them time to equal or even overtake Greaves. They hadn’t lost at home to lower league opposition in the FA Cup since 1975 when Nottingham Forest, managed by a B Clough, upset them. Thanks to Kane, the streak wouldn’t be in jeopardy.
“I try not to think about it, sometimes you can think too much,” Kane said of Greaves’ record, but he will certainly be thinking about his tally against Arsenal over the next few days. Kane has 14 in the game. No player has scored more in North London derbies.
Portsmouth had decided to take advantage of the day, to clear up the turmoil that has surrounded them, and the 9,000 traveling fans were loud. They were encouraged by what they saw in the first half, including a Reeco Hackett-Fairchild volley that forced Fraser Forster to push forward.
Harry Kane is congratulated by his Tottenham teammates after scoring his 265th goal for the club. Photograph: David Klein/Reuters
Spurs were monotonous and predictable before half-time, Antonio Conte’s much-changed side struggling to separate the visitors’ five-man backline, which was protected by a disciplined three-man midfield. Bassey had certainly highlighted Spurs’ threat on the counter. The key for his team would be to maintain a compact shape without the ball, be quick and sharp when playing. Which they largely did.
Spurs avoided the traditional half-time boos in fighttime, but only fairly. The onus to make things happen was always going to be on them and they didn’t in the first 45 minutes.
His best moment came after a Kane free-kick, which drilled into the wall. On the rebound, he fed Sessegnon, who crossed for Davinson Sánchez. His header, in the stretch, went wide. Kane also slid in a loose ball after a corner, Denver Hume blocked, while Son Heung-min shaped a curler.
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Spurs had to wake up in the second half. they did Immediately, there was more urgency, sharper exchanges. Emerson Royal soared to the far post to plant a header from Son’s cross into the far corner. It was denied by the inside of a stick. Then Kane took over.
According to Conte’s assistant Cristian Stellini, it had been “obligatory” to pick Kane, despite the centre-forward having started in each of the club’s previous 25 games this season. In addition to England’s seven. Injury problems elsewhere in the front line had played a role. But so did Kane’s desire, his thoughtlessness. He just never wants to leave.
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“We’ve been undone by a world-class player with world-class finishing,” Bassey said. “If he plays us today, maybe we’ll go through, although I’m not sure that will happen.”
Portsmouth could barely break out in the second half as Spurs pushed high and Bryan Gil made a good effort. It should have been more for Conte’s side but Oliver Skipp, a late substitute for the injured Yves Bissouma, fired over after Gil had put Kane’s pass on a plate.