Tottenham’s Harry Kane: I’ve ‘shut up’ my critics after ending goal drought

That much-publicised “goal drought” was ended on Saturday as Kane put the Lilywhites 3-1 up in their 4-1 home win over Manchester City – and he is keen to go on a run now and keep proving his doubters wrong.

The keeper, who was to fault for most of Spurs’ goals at White Hart Lane, has been sent a cheerful birthday message by the club on Instagram.

Kane, the Tottenham forward, exuded happiness, relief and a strong sense of vindication at having scored his first club goal of the season after a seven-game barren spell that had prompted whispers the striker’s prolific first senior season may prove to be the exception rather than the rule for the 22-year-old.

“Maybe I shut up a few people who have been talking over the last few weeks”, Kane was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

“I stayed focussed, I felt confident in my own ability, knew if I kept getting in the right areas the goals would come, and today was the start. He’s a good football player, he wants to be involved”. It got my juices flowing to try to prove people wrong.

“I’ve had to prove people wrong throughout my whole career to get where I am now – it isn’t always easy coming through as a youngster”. Spurs are now unbeaten in six top-flight fixtures since the opening day of the season – a narrow 1-0 defeat away against a Manchester United side who are currently top of the standings.

With Roy Hodgson in attendance on Saturday, Kane feels the England boss will have been impressed with the performances of Dier and Alli, while Tom Carroll, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker, Andros Townsend and Ryan Mason could all also feature in future national squads. “That’s rare and it’s a tribute to the management and staff for bringing them through and not being afraid to play them“, added Kane.

The England Under-21 global had been a revelation in the Premier League, with his hat-trick at West Ham standing out, and the Cherries will struggle to replace his goals and all-round impact.

But his form has been a pleasant surprise that has helped Tottenham cope with the injury suffered by last season’s key man Nabil Bentaleb, and Dier’s long-range blast against Man City was just one component of an impressive display against one of the Premier League’s most daunting midfields.

“[I’m also] very pleased for [Lamela]”.

“He works hard for the team up and down the pitch and I am delighted with the fact he scored”. Hopefully I can build on this.

“There has been a lot of talk about me not scoring recently”. “We have to learn, we have to keep positive. On Wednesday we have another game, different competition but we have to win, we have to keep playing as a team and I’m confident that we’re going to do it”.