Tottenham Hotspur recovered from last week's double disappointment against Arsenal and Manchester City by defeating Fulham at Craven Cottage. Harry Kane's first-half strike was the difference between the two sides to move Antonio Conte's three points behind Manchester United in the top four.
Kane's goal was a landmark one with the striker equalling Jimmy Greaves' record as Spurs' all-time goalscorer with 266 goals. The 29-year-old has now scored 199 Premier League goals in 300 games.
Fulham were the better side in the opening 45 minutes and squandered countless opportunities from close range. Marco Silva's men were forced to pay for their lack of clinical edge with Kane firing the winner past Bernd Leno before half-time.
READ MORE: Harry Kane equals Jimmy Greaves Tottenham goalscoring record with goal against Fulham
The victory keeps Spurs within touching distance of the Premier League top four, despite their recent struggles in the league. With that being said, football.london takes a look at how the national media reacted to the win.
Kane blessing
Chief football writer at the Mirror John Cross singled out Kane's contribution to Spurs following his landmark goal on Monday evening. "Tottenham are blessed to have a striker obsessed with goals and records.
"Harry Kane drew level with club legend Jimmy Greaves on 266 goals in all competitions to put himself on 199 Premier League goals, with only Alan Shearer (260) and Wayne Rooney (208) ahead of him. It is only a matter of time before Kane breaks Greaves' tally and chases down more records as he may yet put loyalty and personal success ahead of trophies.
"The 29-year-old will have just one year left on his contract this summer but may just be ready to stay and become a one-club man, which would only enhance his legendary status. England captain Kane scored his first Spurs goal against Shamrock Rovers in December 2011 and has been scoring ever since for club and country.
"It certainly saved Tottenham ’s night at Craven Cottage and, even amid a mood of uncertainty and frustration at White Hart Lane, the fans know they can count on Kane. For that reason, surely Kane deserves praise and respect rather than people questioning his ambition. He flirted with Manchester City 18 months ago but now, as time goes by, it is harder to see him leaving.
"There is certain to be interest this summer in Kane - Manchester United and Bayern Munich are keen - but the mood seems to be changing in favour of him being ready to discuss a new deal to stay at Tottenham."
Son flopping
The Express' Joe Krishnan pointed out Son-Heung min's continued bad run of form on Monday evening, with the South Korean uninspiring again for Spurs. "No one has ever accused the South Korean of downing tools - his tireless work ethic is one admirable aspect of his character - but some may suggest he is trying to too hard to end his mysterious drought in front of goal. That was reflected when he was fortunate not to see red for a late challenge on Kenny Tete which was more overzealous than malicious.
"Son has gone from winning the Golden Boot with 23 goals last season to just finding the net only once in his last 13 appearances. The pressure of playing every week and the mid-season World Cup may have taken its toll on his fitness, but there is something lacking in his play when it comes to the final third.
"Of course, the 30-year-old can console himself that at least he is contributing in some way after laying on a simple pass to assist for Kane with the opening goal. But the fact he was brought off late on for Richarlison suggests that Conte knows he can no longer accept Son's goal worries continuing while his side struggle to find the net.
Reason for optimism
Despite sitting fifth in the Premier League, the Telegraph's Matt Law has explained how there's plenty of reason for optimism at the club. "Tottenham went into the game in what Conte had described as "relegation-like" form, having lost six of their past 10 League games and conceding 21 goals in the process.
"It was why Tottenham fans were not too excited by the suggestion Kane’s main priority is to be successful with the club and that he will be open to holding talks over a new contract.
"Spurs are still in the FA Cup and the Champions League, but success, certainly of the trophy-winning variety, still looks some way off for a club that has not clinched silverware since 2008.
"And while League leaders Arsenal have strengthened and Chelsea look to sign just about anyone and everyone before the transfer window shuts, Tottenham are still yet to make a single addition this month.
"Paratici is thought to have ruled out the possibility of signing quick fixes, with Tottenham still trying to negotiate a deal for right-back Pedro Porro with Portuguese club Sporting."
Kane receives the applause
The Guardian's Jacob Steinberg also praised the Spurs striker for his astonishing record in front of goal for the club. "Touch, turn, shoot. This was Harry Kane making the art of goal-scoring look like the easiest thing in the world. Fulham did not know what had hit them. One minute they had the biggest threat on the pitch under control; the next Kane was swivelling into space and pulling back his right foot before wheeling away to celebrate the goal that finally drew him level with the late Jimmy Greaves as Tottenham’s record scorer.
"It was the 266th strike of the forward’s Spurs career and, as the ball nestled in the back of the Fulham net, it was tempting to wonder where this team would be without him. As ever, it was not exactly a flowing performance from Antonio Conte’s team.
"They were outplayed by Fulham at times and, although they were professional enough to see out a win that lifts them three points below fourth-placed Manchester United, their overall display hardly suggested that they are about to shake off the inconsistency blunting their hopes of Champions League qualification.
"Yet if anything gives this plodding side a chance it is Kane. Much like Greaves, he does not hang around when there is a chance to shoot. The technique is usually perfect and it is no wonder that United hope to convince Kane to leave Spurs this summer. It is a fascinating situation, the biggest decision of Kane’s career, and one that will surely have a bearing on whether Conte decides to extend his stay in north London."
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