Just how close Harry Kane came to a hat-trick for Tottenham vs Leicester

One of the bright spots for Tottenham from an energizing win against Leicester City was the number of chances Spurs created for Harry Kane, who should have had more than one. 

Up against his favorite team to score against, Harry Kane was close to breaking out in a big way against Leicester City, as Spurs’ talisman had several good scoring opportunities. On a different day or even with just a little luck, Kane likely would have had a hat-trick. So what happened?

Goalline clearance saves Leicester

The first goal Kane almost had was saved off the line by Leicester City wing-back Luke Thomas. Spurs were working the ball on the left side of their attacking third when Kane provided an impromptu post-up on Hamza Chaudhury, who was beaten on the turn.

Kane cut back to his left foot, after spinning to his right on Chaudhury, to keep the defender to his back and give himself a clear path to the goal. Kane’s left-footed effort beat Kasper Schmeichel, only to be deflected with the back foot of Thomas as he slid toward the goal. Thomas was really only in the play at that point as he was chasing Oliver Skipp who was looking to pounce on whatever Kane sent across the goalmouth.

If Thomas is even a split-second faster or slower and he missed the ball and Kane scores his first before 10-minutes is gone. But it was not meant to be.

Kane smashes the crossbar for Spurs

It was already Spurs third or fourth corner of the match and Kane had already come close. Again Thomas was involved, this time marking Kane, who had beaten the Fox once already but his header looped over.

This time, Harry Winks had driven the corner and Kane broke free from Thomas and rose up to meet the ball. Kane was really too perfect in his header as it screamed past a flailing Schmeichel and smacked square off the crossbar. Had Kane not gotten such clean contact he likely would have redirected the ball and scored, instead, another opportunity was missed less than 20 minutes into the match.

Kane gets the breakthrough Tottenham needs

It is Kane’s third big chance where our hero finally came through. An interception by Skipp in the midfield and a quick forward pass into space from Winks set Kane free in front of Jannik Vestergaard.

As Kane had done before once in front of Chaudhury, he again cut back to his left foot, this time to let Vestergaard fly by. However, unlike at eight minutes when Thomas was back to save the Foxes, this time no-one could get back as Kane struck the ball past Schmeichel, off the post, and into the net.

The goal was Kane’s 250th in this club career, stretching back to his loan at Leyton Orient and first against Sheffield Wednesday.

At that point, Kane should have had three but he was not done getting good looks.

Does Kane blow a big chance or create a memorable opportunity?

Harry Kane’s first missed opportunity was saved by great defence. Kane’s second big opportunity was just unlucky in hitting the crossbar, and he of course buried his third chance.

Unfortunately, what should have been Kane’s fourth goal – of the first half – was all on him. Spurs again won the ball near midfield and this time Lucas Moura played the through-ball to put Kane in on goal. Kane was away from Vestergaard and had a clear view but ended up blasting well over about 15-20 rows into the stands.

It was probably the most un-Kane-like thing we have seen from Harry in what has been a difficult season for him at Tottenham.

Ultimately, the good news is that Kane is starting to see some real chances and he is too good to not start putting more away. Even better, had Kane scored all those goals, Steven Bergwijn would not have given us a day we will never forget. Do you remember Kane’s last hat-trick? I don’t but I will never forget Bergwijn’s double.

Thus, in the end, things turned out well for Tottenham and suddenly the future again looks bright.