Kane kickstarts second-half explosion as Tottenham hammer Palace

Harry Kane scored goals no. 263 and 264 as Tottenham overwhelmed Crystal Palace with four second-half goals en route to a 4-0 victory at Selhurst Park on Wednesday.

[ MORE: How to watch Premier League in USA ]

The victory is still only Tottenham’s second in five Premier League games since the start of November and send’s Antonio Conte’s side (33 points – 5th place) back to within two points of 4th-place Manchester United, who have played one less game. The threat of falling out of the top-four race has gone, for now.

Once again, Tottenham were hugely improved after the halftime restart, and how could they not be? The first half was disjointed, unconvincing and all too familiar for Spurs fans to bear watching, but they sprang to life and jumped all over Crystal Palace from the second half’s opening whistle and silenced their increasingly vocal detractors, for now.

Kane had Tottenham in the lead less than three minutes later, as he rose highest at the back post to meet Ivan Perisic’s lofted ball to the back post. Five minutes later, Kane darted into the penalty area and called for the pass from Bryan Gil, before turning and firing an arrow just inside the far post.

The goals were also Kane’s 14th and 15th of the season (in 18 games), as Tottenham’s soon-to-be record scorer (Jimmy Greaves’ record of 266 is now just two away) stacks another sensational season currently on pace to challenge his career-best mark (30 in 2017-18) with a 0.83 goals per game average.

Tottenham weren’t done there, though, as Matt Doherty bagged his first goal of the season in the 68th minute and Son Heung-min ended an eight-game stretch (Oct. 12, vs Eintracht Frankfurt) without a goal for Spurs.

WATCH FULL MATCH REPLAY

Follow @AndyEdMLS

Palace has three set piece goals and the dead ball has been gold dust for a team that’s being bossed in goals from open play (11 goals for, 18 against and the expected goals a bit worse). It’s still Wilfried Zaha’s team but Eberechi Eze is an emerging star.

Speaking of dead balls, what would Spurs be without corner kicks? Tottenham has 10 goals off corner kicks this year and has a 21-21 GF-GA record in open play. Harry Kane is still Tottenham’s No. 1 attraction with 13 goals this Premier League season.

OUT: Nathan Ferguson (other), James McArthur (groin), Sam Johnstone (lower back), Tyrick Mitchell (suspension)

Our first starting XI of 2023 ????

???? @shophumm#CPFC | #CRYTOT

— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) January 4, 2023

QUESTIONABLE: Dejan Kulusevski (other). OUT: Richarlison (thigh), Rodrigo Betancur (groin), Yves Bissouma (suspension), Lucas Moura (lower leg).

Tonight's team to face Crystal Palace ???? pic.twitter.com/8G7xVFZlBM

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 4, 2023

Follow @NicholasMendola