Michael Owen praised Harry Kane for how simple he made his goal look during Tottenham’s 2-0 win over Chelsea, but he was critical of Kepa and Raheem Sterling, as he told Premier League Productions (26/02/23 at 3:45 pm).
Starting with Kepa, the Chelsea goalkeeper was questioned for how he allowed an edge-of-the-box shot, which was coming straight at him from Oliver Skipp, hit the back of the net.
And then Sterling, moments before he was going to be subbed by Graham Potter, left his England teammate Harry Kane unmarked at the far post, with the Spurs hitman sealing the points.
During the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge, which finished 2-2, both Antonio Conte and Thomas Tuchel were in the dugout.
But both were absent yesterday, with Conte still recovering after surgery and Chelsea fans asking why they sacked the German for Graham Potter.
Nonetheless, this is what Owen made of the main talking points at Hotspur Way, including the cleverness of Kane’s goal.
On Skipp’s goal: “This probably should have been a goal from Royal to start with,” said Owen. “But this area, the second balls. I think this is the best angle isn’t it goalkeeping-wise? His weight is on his right-hand side. He gets enough on that with his hands. I think it’s a goalkeeping mistake.
On Kane’s goal and Sterling’s role: “This is a simple near-post header and we see Harry Kane sweeping at the back. In terms of Harry Kane, he adjusts his body really, really well. He (Sterling) isn’t even looking at the ball.
“I love the way he (Kane) makes it so simple. People will be watching this, Harry Kane here, ‘oh, it’s a simple tap-in’. But a lot of people would plant their leg there and swing at it. The little hop he does with his standing leg. He hops into it, not to smack it, but just to guide it.”
CHELSEA’S GOALS COMPARED TO KANE
Despite all those hundreds of millions being splashed out, especially on forward players, this Chelsea side still can’t score for love, or money.
That’s 23 goals from 24 games this season. A certain goal-crazy Manchester City hitman has scored more with 27.
And if Potter’s men don’t turn things around quickly, then so will Kane surpass them.
The England captain netted goal number 18 for the campaign yesterday, and with 13 games of the season remaining, there is every chance he can hit 30+
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