Two-goal Harry Kane lifts Tottenham Hotspur past Everton in Premier League

Tottenham 3 Everton 2

Harry Kane won his top-scorer tussle with Romelu Lukaku by bagging a brace as Tottenham held on for victory over Everton at White Hart Lane.

Kane and Lukaku began the day tied at the top of the Premier League charts with 17 goals apiece and the pair took centre stage again as Kane’s double put Spurs two up before the hour mark.

The England striker opened the scoring with a goal out of nothing, turning into space and unleashing a 30-yard effort that flew inside the left-hand post on 20 minutes.

And he doubled Tottenham’s advantange on 56 minutes when a mix-up between Morgan Schneiderlin and Ashley Williams eventually presented him with a chance on the left side of the box to slide the ball inside the far post for his 19th of the campaign.

Belgian Lukaku’s late strike beat Hugo Lloris – making his 200th appearance for Spurs – and sparked hopes of a comeback nine minutes from time, but Dele Alli restored Tottenham’s two-goal cushion in injury time, as his neat flick from a Harry Winks’ free-kick helped the ball into the far corner of the net.

Everton substitute Enner Valencia added another goal seconds later to complete a dramatic finish in north London, but Ronald Koeman’s men saw their nine-game unbeaten run brought to an end by Spurs, who are still to taste defeat on home soil this season.

Victory for Mauricio Pochettino’s men means they reduce the gap behind league leaders Chelsea to seven points, with the Blues travelling to West Ham on Monday.

Tottenham: Lloris; Dier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen; Walker, Wanyama, Dembele (Winks 78), Davies; Eriksen (Sissoko 87), Alli; Kane (Janssen 90).

Unused subs: Son, Vorm, Tripper, Wimmer.