Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane has paid tribute to a "complete hero" in Jimmy Greaves after becoming the Lilywhites' all-time leading goalscorer against Manchester City.
The England captain entered Sunday's clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium level with Greaves on 266 strikes for the Lilywhites, having equalled the record against Fulham in January.
Illness prevented Kane from breaking the record in last weekend's FA Cup win over Preston North End, but the 29-year-old was back in the first XI for the visit of the champions.
Pep Guardiola's men struggled to create any inroads during the opening exchanges, and in a repeat of their Etihad misfortunes from January, a defensive mistake would gift Spurs the opening goal.
In the 15th minute of the match, Rodri's ball to Rico Lewis just outside of his own area was intercepted by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who advanced into the area and laid the ball off for Kane.
The England skipper coolly converted into the bottom corner to give Tottenham the lead and surpass the late Greaves with his 267th goal in Tottenham colours, cementing his place at the top of the charts.
Speaking to Sky Sports News after the 1-0 win, the striker paid tribute to Greaves - labelling his late compatriot a "complete hero" - and hailing his record-breaking strike in front of the Tottenham faithful as a "huge moment".
THERE IT IS!!
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 5, 2023
Harry Kane breaks the record as Tottenham's ALL-TIME top scorer! 🚨⚪ pic.twitter.com/FhMGSgeDsZ
"It's hard to put into words and I'm so glad it came in a win," Kane said. "[Jimmy Greaves] is a complete hero, one of the best strikers to play the game so to be in that conversation is special. And to overtake him is a huge moment for me."
Kane's effort also saw the 29-year-old reach the 200-goal mark in the Premier League, becoming just the third player to do so after Alan Shearer (260) and Wayne Rooney (208).
The Tottenham talisman reached the landmark quicker than his countrymen, though, taking 304 games to hit the 200 milestone, while Shearer took 306 and Rooney did so in 462.
Following Kane's strike, Tottenham - led by assistant Cristian Stellini as Antonio Conte recovered from surgery - held on for a priceless three points against Man City, who have now lost on all five of their trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Riyad Mahrez crashed a shot against the bar just before half time, and Cristian Romero was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 87th minute, but a resolute Spurs side were full value for their narrow victory.
"We worked so hard to keep a clean sheet. It was so special to do it in front of the fans. There has been so much talk about it in the last couple of weeks and to do it in such a big game is even more special," Kane added.
"It is a great feeling. When I started playing regularly it wasn't even in my imagination to score 200 Premier League goals and I have a few more years left, so hopefully there are more to come."
Tottenham have now moved to within one-point of fourth-placed Newcastle United in the Premier League table and are next in action away to Leicester City next Saturday.
Ben Knapton
