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Harry Kane Sets Up Tottenham For Win In Chicago

By Logan Holmes

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Harry Kane and Aaron Lennon scored a goal in each half as Tottenham secured a comfortable win over Chicago Fire in the final game of their pre-season tour.

Chicago Fire 0 Tottenham Hotspur 2

Scorers: Kane, Lennon

Team: Friedel (McGee); Walker (Naughton), Dawson, Veljkovic (Fredericks), Rose (Davies); Capoue, Mason; Holtby (Falque),Lamela (Eriksen), Townsend (Lennon); Kane (Soldado). Unused subs: Kaboul, Ceballos.

Tottenham brought their three-match tour of the USA and Canada to an end against Chicago Fire. After two games against teams placed high in the MLS league table, Chicago who have won only 3 of their 17 league games appeared to be the easiest of opponents for Spurs in their pre-season games.

In the Chicago team was 19-year-old Grant Ward who progressed through the Tottenham Academy and has been on loan since last March. The versatile young player can play at full-back or in midfield. He has scored 2 goals in his time with the American club, getting his first MLS goal in their last game, a 5 – 1 defeat by San Jose Earthquakes. Chicago Fire  are currently 8th in the 10-team Eastern Conference, mainly due to their inability to win games, having drawn 10 of their matches.

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino was looking for further improvements from his players and the team in the final tour match. For some players it could be their last chance to impress their new manager as the return to London will see the players who were at the World Cup Finals joining up with the squad in the coming days.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Pochettino said,

"We’re playing some of the best teams in the MLS and we expect another tough game. It’s the last game on our tour, we hope our fans will enjoy it and we expect another good performance."

Jul 26, 2014; Bridgeview, IL, USA; Tottenham Hotspur forward Harry Kane (37) dribbles around Chicago Fire midfielder Jeff Larentowicz (20) during a friendly at Toyota Park. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports

First Half

Tottenham went ahead after only 5 minutes when Lewis Holtby set up an easy finish for Harry Kane.

Both teams worked hard in midfield but there were few chances until Brad Friedel saved after 25 minutes. Shortly after Erik Lamela brought two saves from the Chicago Fire goalkeeper. The first saw him beat two defenders and then take a return pass from Andros Townsend before testing the keeper.

Second Half

At the start of the second half Tottenham made five changes with Kyle Naughton, Ben Davies, Christian Eriksen, Aaron Lennon and Roberto Soldado coming on. There were more chances created by both teams as Davies shot over early on and Lennon shot weakly at the goalkeeper.

Friedel was tested midway through the half and then with 15 minutes to play a shot from Soldado was blocked by a defender after Falque set up the striker. In the 78th minute young goalkeeper Luke McGee came on for his first senior appearance.

More from Match Reports

With 5 minutes to play Spurs secured their win when Soldado found Lennon’s run, the winger reaching the ball ahead of a defender and then went past the goalkeeper to complete the scoring.

In the final minutes there were goal opportunities at both ends with Eriksen being stopped when through on the keeper. Soldado’s header was then cleared by a defender and a shot by second half substitute Falque was saved. Michael Dawson made a late clearance to keep a clean sheet.

Speaking after the match, Mauricio Pochettino congratulated the players on their hard work and said on the Tottenham web-site,

"I’m very pleased for the players because we’ve finished with a good win, a clean sheet and that’s a boost for the confidence. It was difficult in the humidity but well done to the players, it was a good game out there. I’m happy for all of them. I thought we played well."