Harry Kane equals Shearer’s record with hat-trick at Burnley

Harry Kane has matched Alan Shearer’s record for most goals in a calendar year

Burnley boss Sean Dyche said Harry Kane transforms Tottenham from a “good to a really good side” after the striker equalled Alan Shearer’s record for most Premier League goals scored in a calendar year with a hat-trick in a 3-0 victory at Turf Moor.

England international Kane netted his 34th, 35th and 36th league goals of 2017 to equal Shearer’s 1995 mark as Spurs moved up to fifth in the table

“He is one of the best forwards in Europe,” said Dyche.

“He was by far the best player on the pitch and that was one of the best performances I have seen this season.”

Kane is now the joint top scorer in the Premier League this season with 15 goals from 19 games.

Dyche believes it is the 24-year-old’s willingness to do “the ugly stuff” that sets him apart from other strikers.

“There are a lot of top players who can finish,” Dyche added. “He works. He is awkward. You can’t get a clean header against him. He is an absolutely top-class player.

“If you have a figurehead like that, every time the ball is turned over, he is on it like a shot. He can smell a chance as quick as any centre-forward I have seen.”

Kane has one more chance to break Shearer’s record, with Tottenham at home to out-of-form Southampton on 26 December.

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And Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino believes Kane has the ability to become an even better player than he already is.

“He can still improve,” he said. “Players arrive at their best at 27, 28, 29.

“It all depends how professional you are. If he keeps working hard every day in training and never changes that mentality, he can play until he wants.

“For me, he can still improve his game.”

Kane broke the deadlock at Turf Moor in the sixth minute, scoring from the spot after Spurs were awarded a controversial penalty when Kevin Long was adjudged to have fouled Dele Alli.

Kane made it 2-0 midway through the second half, racing on to Moussa Sissoko’s pass before sliding the ball past Burnley keeper Nick Pope.

He completed his hat-trick late on, tucking in a clinical finish at the far post.

The win moves Spurs to within a point of fourth-placed Liverpool, while Burnley drop to seventh.