Harry Kanescored his first Premier League hat-trick for Tottenham, as they edged 4-3 pasthard-battling Leicester, in a thrilling encounter against relegation-favourites.
The Foxesmanager, Nigel Pearson, was bold in his selections and picked an attackingline-up, which consisted of three strikers - Jamie Vardy, David Nugent and LeonardoUlloa, but the move appeared to back fire, as it left the Foxes with a fragiledefence in opening stages of the match. Leicesterpaid heavily for the early defensive lapses, and the England new boy, Kane,scored his first goal in the sixth minute.
The lead was soon doubled after 13 minutes, when Kane hit with such a strengththat, despite the deflection off Rober Huth, Leicester keeper Kasper Schmeichelhad no chance. The Foxes then restoredequality and were threatening to ease their relegation fears, as Vardy steeredin their first goal in the 38th minute.
WesMorgan headed in a leveller five minutes in the second –half, and itlooked that Leicester would secure at least one point. But in the 64th minute DavidNugent collided with Spurs’ Danny Rose and referee Mike Dean gave a debatable penalty. Dean appeared to take for ever beforepointing to the spot, which angered Pearson, who later questioned the decision,which came after his side staged a comeback.
The 21-yearold Tottenham’s star striker converted a penalty for his hat-trick and 29thgoal of the season in all competitions, as he edged in front on the racefor the Premier League golden boot, with 19 league goals for the season.
Pearson’s despairincreased when Ghana’s international, Jeff Schlupp, scored an own-goal in the85th minute, for the north-Londoners to regain their two-goalcushion.
Nevertheless, the Foxes refusedto give in and Nugent grabbed a goal that his performance deserved, minutesleft on the clock.
Tottenham managed to hold on in their race forthe top four, as they are three point off fourth-placed Manchester United, whoplay Liverpool later today. The Foxes came away with nothing and remain bottomof the table.
