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As it happenedended

Tottenham vs Southampton live: Harry Kane breaks Alan Shearer's Premier League goal record as Spurs thrash Saints

Follow the latest from the Premier League clash at Wembley Stadium

Sam Dymond
Tuesday 26 December 2017 09:04 EST
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Harry Kane heads in his 37th Premier League goal of the season against Southampton
Harry Kane heads in his 37th Premier League goal of the season against Southampton (Getty)

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Tottenham have the chance to move back into the top four when they take on Southampton at Wembley Stadium in the Boxing Day early kick-off as the first of eight Premier League games.

Spurs striker Harry Kane seized his final chance to break Alan Shearer’s record of 36 Premier League goals in a calendar year, with the mark having stood for 22 years since Shearer helped fire Blackburn Rovers to the title until Kane headed in the opening goal of the match.

Spurs do have injury concerns on their hands though, with Eric Dier a doubt after suffering a calf strain and manager Mauricio Pochettino ready to rotate his side in order to avoid fatigue over the festive period. Southampton meanwhile are without the suspended Charlie Austin, who has been banned for three matches due to violent conduct, while defenders Cedric Soares and Ryan Bertand are doubtful.

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22 mins: GOAL! TOTTENHAM 1 SOUTHAMPTON 0:

He's done it! Harry Kane has his 37th Premier League goal of 2017 and breaks Alan Shearer's 22-year-old goalscoring record! And there will have been few simpler strikes in the forward's haul for the calendar year after Southampton let him roam free in the six-yard box. From the left, Christian Eriksen delivered his set-piece at pace past Fraser Forster, and there was Kane to head into an empty net from the closest of ranges.

Sam Dymond26 December 2017 12:51

24 mins: Chaos at the other end as Hugo Lloris and Danny Rose go full Abbott and Costello in dealing with Sofiane Boufal's tame shot. The goalkeeper needlessly pushed out when he could have claimed the effort, only for the defender to put too much power on his header back. Rose's return caught Lloris off-guard with the Spurs captain eventually fingertipping the ball on to the base of the post before rescuing. Tottenham's lead was nearly undone with comedy in its purest form.

Sam Dymond26 December 2017 12:55

A nice touch...

...and a tweet that Shearer must have hated typing out.

Sam Dymond26 December 2017 12:58

Here's how the record books will now read...

Sam Dymond26 December 2017 13:04

35 mins: It's been largely non-eventful since the minutes surrounding the opening goal, but the game was just lit up by some smashing football featuring Dier, Son and Eriksen. Crisp, one-touch passing took Tottenham from the edge of their own area deep into the Southampton half, only for Kane to smash the ball well over from 30 yards. Rubbish, that guy.

Sam Dymond26 December 2017 13:07

 39 mins: GOAL! TOTTENHAM 2 SOUTHAMPTON 0:

This time a delightful spell of Tottenham passing is finished off by Harry Kane. Serge Aurier, Moussa Dembele and Christian Eriksen began the move with the latter finding Dele Alli on the edge of the Southampton area. Alli, brilliant in spinning away from Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, slipped a ball behind the visiting defence for Son Heung-min to square across goal from the left. Kane, in the right place once again, arrived to tap home from just a few yards out once again, making it 38 goals in 2017. You'd be warned against betting on it ending there.

Sam Dymond26 December 2017 13:08

42 mins: Tentative penalty appeals from Tottenham after Son Heung-min goes tumbling in the box but Graham Scott, making the right call once again, says no. Kane will have to wait for his hat-trick opportunity.

Sam Dymond26 December 2017 13:15

45 mins: One minute of added time is signalled by the fourth official, Craig Pawson.

Sam Dymond26 December 2017 13:16

HALF-TIME - TOTTENHAM 2 SOUTHAMPTON 0:

Sam Dymond26 December 2017 13:27

SECOND HALF KICK-OFF: If the first half was all about the form of one striker, the opening moments of the second remind us about the form of another. Winning possession from Tottenham's attack, the ball is propelled forward, setting Shane Long through on goal. Blessed with the pace to outstrip Sanchez, the Irish forward has clear sight of goal but slips at the vital moment, and the ball falls kindly for Hugo Lloris.

Sam Dymond26 December 2017 13:31

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