Kane’s hat-trick fires Spurs to second on league table

Striker helps Tottenham beat Stock City 4-0 at White Hart Lane on Sunday

LONDON: Striker Harry Kane hit a first-half hat-trick as Tottenham stormed up to second in the Premier League with a 4-0 home demolition of Stoke on Sunday.

Kane's treble took his tally to 17 league goals this season, while his first of the day at White Hart Lane was his 100th club goal.

The England forward, 23, who also scored three against Fulham in the FA Cup a week ago, capped an outstanding all-round display by setting up Dele Alli for the fourth.

That helped Alli to draw a line under his dismissal against Gent that contributed to Spurs' Europa League exit on Thursday.

Tottenham's victory took them above Manchester City and closed the gap on runaway leaders Chelsea to 10 points.

After the match, manager Mauricio Pochettino labelled Kane as one of the world's best strikers "He's playing at a very good level," Pochettino told the BBC.  "He's one of the best strikers in the world. He deserves it because he's a great professional."

The Argentine coach also said that he was delighted with midfielder Dele Alli, who was sent off for a wild challenge at Wembley as Spurs went out of the Europa League to Belgium's Gent on Thursday.

"Dele is very mature and a great boy," he added. "I am very pleased for him, he had a difficult few days but it was a good response. He was fantastic on the pitch."