Burnley: Harry Kane scored on his return from injury for Tottenham but his side fell to a surprise 1-2 defeat at Burnley here Saturday, which severely dented their Premier League title hopes.
Ashley Barnes’ 83rd minute winner for Burnley, after Kane had cancelled out Chris Woods’ opener, extended their unbeaten run to eight games and moved them up to 13th place in the league with one of their best results since returning to the top flight.
But for third-placed Spurs, who trail leaders Manchester City and Liverpool by five points, this may prove to be a loss that leaves them with too much ground to make up.
At an unseasonably sun-splashed Turf Moor, striker Kane returned to the Spurs line-up for the first time since suffering an ankle injury against Manchester United in January with England manager Gareth Southgate watching from the stands.
Spurs made a slow start to the lunchtime kick-off game and it was not until the 16th minute that they threatened when Kane worked some space for himself, on the edge of the penalty area, but his left-foot effort was comfortably wide of Tom Heaton’s post.
Burnley were harrying and closing down well in midfield, with Ashley Westwood and Jack Cork particularly busy, and Spurs struggled to find their rhythm or any real openings for their captain
Sean Dyche’s team took the lead in the 57th minute with a glancing header by Wood, who rose ahead of Juan Foyth to angle in a Dwight McNeil corner.
Eight minutes later Kane, who had looked a little rusty, ran on to a quick throw-in from Danny Rose, got behind Mee and slipped the ball past Heaton.
The Clarets, who have been in or around the relegation zone for most of the season, grabbed the winner though when substitute Johann Berg Gudmundsson found Barnes at the back post and the striker fired in his fourth goal in as many games.
Agencies
