Kane: Spurs eyeing 'bigger things' than finishing above Arsenal
Harry Kane and Tottenham Hotspur can wipe a date from the footballing calendar that has rankled Spurs fans for almost 22 years.
St. Totteringham's Day, the date when Tottenham is mathematically unable to surpass nemesis Arsenal in the table, has given the Gunners bragging rights in the north London rivalry since the 1995-96 season, but a derby win for Kane's side on Sunday would break that generational hoodoo.
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That's not at the forefront of Mauricio Pochettino's players' minds, though, as Tottenham tries to close the four-point distance between the club and Premier League leader Chelsea after 33 matches.
| # | Team | Played | Goal difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chelsea | 33 | 40 | 78 |
| 2 | Tottenham Hotspur | 33 | 47 | 74 |
| 3 | Liverpool | 34 | 28 | 66 |
| 4 | Manchester City | 33 | 28 | 65 |
| 5 | Manchester United | 33 | 26 | 64 |
| 6 | Arsenal | 32 | 24 | 60 |
"It shows how far we've come in a short amount of time," Kane told the Guardian's David Hynter of Spurs' ambitions. "Since the gaffer has been here, he's changed everything and he's been fantastic. You see the belief in the squad; you see the way we play."
The England striker appreciates how, under the Argentinian manager's tutelage, Tottenham can now overwhelm opponents with 4-0 demolitions or edge out hard-fought narrow wins - just like at Crystal Palace on Wednesday.
"The gaffer has installed his philosophy with the way we play - the pressing and getting the ball down - but he's also installed that steel in us; that we've just got to find a way to win," he explained. "He's a very passionate manager and that bleeds into the rest of the team."
It's a greater grit that puts Spurs on the verge of finishing higher than Arsenal for the first time since 1995. Kane grew up in a Tottenham-supporting household, so he understands what local superiority would mean to the supporters, but says the club's ambitions reach further than that.
"For the fans, it would be great to finish above Arsenal and actually do it by winning against them but, from our point of view, we've got bigger things to look forward to," he said. "We've got to try and win that game to keep the pressure on Chelsea as much as we can."
The last three league meetings between the great foes ended with honours even, but Kane boasts a remarkable north London derby record of five goals in four outings.