Harry Kane became Tottenham’s all-time joint-top scorer and boosted their Champions League hopes with a goal that defeated Fulham.
The England captain hit a sweet strike into the bottom corner from just outside the box with one of their few chances in the first half.
That was his 266th goal for Spurs, levelling the record Jimmy Greaves set between 1961 and 1970.
Kane could have broken the record in the second half but his close-range header was tipped over well by Bernd Leno.
This was only a second win in six Premier League games for Antonio Conte’s side, who are now just three points behind fourth-placed Manchester United.
Fulham had plenty of chances to score before Kane’s opener with Hugo Lloris keeping out Bobby Decordova-Reid’s long-range drive and Harrison Reed’s snap-shot.
But this is now a second defeat in a row and a missed chance to go above Spurs into fifth place.
The game had kicked off 18 minutes late following travel problems for fans in the area and then issues with referee Paul Tierney’s communication devices.
Big night for Kane and Spurs
It has felt inevitable for a long time that Kane would become Spurs’ top scorer if he did not move to another club first.
His 199th Premier League goal for Spurs in exactly 300 games means he has matched that 266-goal Greaves record, which stood for 53 years.
It was an expert Kane strike, taking Son Heung-min’s pass with his back to goal, turning a defender and then picking his spot from outside the box.
It was a much-needed goal for his club too.
Spurs had only won once in the Premier League since 12 November, a run that has raised a lot of questions about Conte’s future. In nine of their previous 10 league games, they conceded two or more goals. “This is an average like a team that is fighting for the relegation zone,” the boss said before this game.
Spurs have started so many games slowly this season, and this match was no exception. They did not get going until the 30th minute and could easily have trailed before Kane’s opener.
The second half was better, though, and Kane headed at Leno and then hammered a shot wide late on.
Lloris, who conceded six goals in his past two games – including his own goal against Arsenal – kept a much-needed clean sheet with four saves.
More to follow.
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Live Text
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Match ends, Fulham 0, Tottenham Hotspur 1.
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Second Half ends, Fulham 0, Tottenham Hotspur 1.
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Delay over. They are ready to continue.
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Delay in match because of an injury João Palhinha (Fulham).
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Delay in match because of an injury Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (Tottenham Hotspur).
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Foul by João Palhinha (Fulham).
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Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Substitution, Tottenham Hotspur. Yves Bissouma replaces Dejan Kulusevski.
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Delay over. They are ready to continue.
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Delay in match because of an injury Antonee Robinson (Fulham).
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Corner, Fulham. Conceded by Hugo Lloris.
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Attempt saved. Manor Solomon (Fulham) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Tom Cairney.
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Delay over. They are ready to continue.
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Substitution, Fulham. Harry Wilson replaces Bobby De Cordova-Reid.
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Substitution, Fulham. Carlos Vinícius replaces Willian.
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Delay in match because of an injury Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham).
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Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur).
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Substitution, Fulham. Manor Solomon replaces Kenny Tete.
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Attempt missed. Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Eric Dier with a headed pass.
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