Football
ESPN staff 6y

Harry Kane equals Alan Shearer record for goals in a calendar year

Tottenham striker Harry Kane hit a hat trick at Burnley to equal Alan Shearer's record of 36 Premier League goals in a calendar year from 1995.

Kane has hit 36 league goals in 2017; 53 goals for club and country in 2017. Saturday's hat trick was also his seventh in the year.

The England international took 34 games to get to the record, while Shearer did so in 42 games for Blackburn. And Kane can still break the mark in the next week.

And his Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino said he is running out of words to praise Kane.

"I have to congratulate Harry, 36 goals, he has the same record that Alan achieved,'' Pochettino said. "He is such an important player. I always praise him during three-and-a-half years in charge because not only with goals, but with his attitude, professionalism, ethics, how we works on the pitch is fantastic.

"He is a massive example for everyone. I'm so happy for him -- [to equal the record] is a massive, massive achievement for him."

Asked if Kane could beat Shearer's all-time record of 260 Premier League goals, Pochettino said: "Harry is doing so well but Alan was consistent for 10 years, scoring goals. We need to show him massive respect, it was amazing what he did.

"Now Harry is doing so well, we hope for Tottenham, for him for us, for everyone that loves the club [he can do it]. To have a player like Harry Kane is fantastic. I hope, I wish for 50 or more than 50 every season. I think Harry can still improve at 24.

"The players arrived at their best at 27, 28, 29 -- it depends how professional you are. If Harry Kane keeps that mentality, working hard every day and never changes that mentality, he can play until he wants to. Of course, he can still improve."

On his side's win, which was sealed after two Kane goals in the final 21 minutes, Pochettino added: "The team were amazing, we dominated the game and deserved the victory.

"I am happy, we needed this type of victory and today was an important three points.''

Others in the record conversation include Robin van Persie, who netted 35 from 36 for Arsenal in 2011, while the Gunners' Thierry Henry managed 34 from 39 in 2004.

The other players to have reached the mark of 30 goals in a calendar year are Les Ferdinand who made 30 from 37 games in 1995 for QPR and Newcastle, and Man United's Ruud van Nistelrooy who did his 30 from 34 games in 2003.

ESPN FC Spurs correspondent Dan Kilpatrick contributed to this story. Information from PA Sport was also used.

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