Harry Kane scored his first Tottenham goals since 23 MayTottenham boss Nuno Espirito Santo says Harry Kane is committed to the club and that it is time for everyone to “move forward” after the England captain scored twice on his return to the Spurs side.
Having announced on the eve of the match he was staying “this summer” following speculation about his future, Kane inspired Spurs as they overturned a first-leg deficit against Pacos de Ferreira to reach the Europa Conference League group stage.
“All the situations that have happened, are part of the past, let’s look and move forward,” added Nuno.
“He doesn’t have to prove anything to anyone. Harry’s with us so we have to take advantage of it.”
Trailing 1-0 after the first leg in Portugal, Kane opened the scoring after a lovely pass by winger Bryan Gil.
Kane, starting his first club game since 23 May, added a second before half-time from close range.
Giovani lo Celso capped a fine Spurs performance when his free-kick was deflected in for a third goal which sealed the hosts’ victory.
Tottenham will discover their group opponents on Friday, with the draw scheduled to start at 12:30 BST.
As it happened: Kane scores twice as Spurs reach the group stageListen: Football Daily Podcast – Kane stays at SpursKane back with a smileThe last time Spurs played at their north London home, fans chanted ‘Are you watching Harry Kane?’, with the striker not involved in the Premier League opener against Manchester City as speculation about his future continued.
On Thursday all was forgiven as fans let their star striker know that he was still ‘one of our own’.
With his immediate future resolved following interest from City, Kane was named captain for this game as Spurs looked to bounce back following a limp display in Portugal last week.
Kane went close to scoring in the opening 15 seconds before levelling the aggregate score inside 10 minutes after a fine pass by the impressive 20-year-old Spain winger Gil.
The England captain looked eager to make up for lost time and was on target again when a clinical finish put his side ahead on aggregate for the first time in the tie.
It was just like old times as Kane celebrated with a huge smile on his face as Spurs fans chanted his name.
With Watford due at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, Kane was replaced after 72 minutes after taking his tally to 223 goals for the north London outfit.
As he left the pitch, Kane was left in no doubt that he is very much loved at the club.
By then Spurs had all but confirmed their place in the next stage after stretching their lead further. Lo Celso’s delivery looked like a cross and it took a nick off Pacos defender Antunes, but the Argentine was credited with the goal.
It was a thoroughly professional performance by Nuno’s side, who have won three of their opening four games, scoring five times and keeping three clean sheets.
The Spurs boss is keen to use the inaugural Europa Conference League to his side’s advantage.
“This competition will make us grow,” added the Portuguese. “This is what we want.”
Line-upsTottenhamFormation 4-3-3
22Gollini
2Doherty4Romero15Dier33Davies
18Lo Celso8Winks11Gil
27Lucas Moura10Kane19R Sessegnon
22Gollini2Doherty4RomeroBooked at 30mins15Dier33Davies18Lo Celso8Winks11GilBooked at 63minsSubstituted forBergwijnat 73’minutes27Lucas MouraSubstituted forAlliat 84’minutes10KaneSubstituted forSon Heung-Minat 72’minutes19R SessegnonSubstituted forHøjbjergat 63’minutesSubstitutes3Reguilón5Højbjerg6D Sánchez7Son Heung-Min20Alli23Bergwijn29Skipp40Austin43John44Scarlett48Paskotsi54MarkandayPaços de FerreiraFormation 5-4-1
13Magalhães Ribeiro Ferreira
21dos Santos Silva2Costa Baixinho32da Silva Ramos6de Brito Gonzaga5Pacheco Antunes
15Delgado26Guerra Pires46Eustáquio23da Silva de Jesus
10Pereira Junior
13Magalhães Ribeiro Ferreira21dos Santos Silva2Costa Baixinho32da Silva Ramos6de Brito Gonzaga5Pacheco AntunesBooked at 49minsSubstituted forFerreira Fonsecaat 76’minutes15DelgadoSubstituted forCastro Ferreiraat 69’minutes26Guerra PiresBooked at 64mins46EustáquioSubstituted forValente Santosat 77’minutes23da Silva de JesusSubstituted forSilva de Jesusat 77’minutes10Pereira JuniorBooked at 41minsSubstituted forDa Silva Souzaat 70’minutesSubstitutes3Reis Lima7Castro Ferreira8Ibrahim9Silva de Jesus12Menezes de Almeida16Bobó Djaló20Alves Bastos22Martins Moreira29Ferreira Fonseca45Sousa Silva77Valente Santos99Da Silva SouzaReferee:Ruddy Buquet
Attendance:30,215
Live TextMatch ends, Tottenham Hotspur 3, Paços Ferreira 0.
Second Half ends, Tottenham Hotspur 3, Paços Ferreira 0.
Foul by Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur).
Douglas Tanque (Paços Ferreira) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Hand ball by Hélder Ferreira (Paços Ferreira).
Attempt saved. Nuno Santos (Paços Ferreira) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Jorge Silva with a cross.
Son Heung-Min (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Marco Baixinho (Paços Ferreira).
Offside, Tottenham Hotspur. Dele Alli tries a through ball, but Son Heung-Min is caught offside.
Attempt saved. Son Heung-Min (Tottenham Hotspur) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Steven Bergwijn.
Foul by Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur).
Jorge Silva (Paços Ferreira) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution, Tottenham Hotspur. Dele Alli replaces Lucas Moura.
Corner, Tottenham Hotspur. Conceded by André Ferreira.
Attempt saved. Son Heung-Min (Tottenham Hotspur) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Giovani Lo Celso.
Attempt missed. Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (Tottenham Hotspur) right footed shot from the right side of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Son Heung-Min following a corner.
Corner, Tottenham Hotspur. Conceded by Flávio Ramos.
Corner, Tottenham Hotspur. Conceded by Maracás.
Attempt blocked. Steven Bergwijn (Tottenham Hotspur) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Harry Winks.
Harry Winks (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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