Football news - 'Kane is an icon in England' - Pochettino defends decision to sub on Tottenham star
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Updated 04/01/2019 at 23:08 GMT
Mauricio Pochettino has defended his decision to introduce Harry Kane with his Tottenham side already beating Tranmere 6-0 on Friday night.
Jesus Perez, Assistant Manager of Tottenham Hotspur (left) and Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur (middle) looks on prior to the FA Cup Third Round match between Tranmere Rovers and Tottenham Hotspur at Prenton Park on January 4, 2019 in Bi
Image credit: Getty Images
Fernando Llorente scored a hat-trick as Spurs thumped the League Two side 7-0 at Prenton Park to reach the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Serge Aurier broke the deadlock with a fine lopping shot from 25 yards before Spurs scored three quick-fire goals at the start of the second half as the gulf in class showed.
It was 6-0 by the time Pochettino turned to Kane with 15 minutes remaining and decided to substitute Fernando Llorente, who had helped himself to a hat-trick in Birkenhead.
Kane duly notched his ninth goal in his last eight FA Cup appearances to complete the scoring, but it left some fans bemused that the striker was even risked with the result beyond doubt.
Pochettino, however, said: "It was the plan to give Harry Kane 15-20 minutes to play, he always wants to play.
It is important too for the fans here and the opponents to enjoy Harry, he's an icon in England and not everyone can have the opportunity to see him.
"It was important to show some respect to the people who are here, it was very nice for everyone.
"We take the competition very seriously. We respect every competition. Dele Alli was injured and now I feel he is fresh.
"It's important for [Kane] to score and to have 20 minutes. It was important for him and for the team it's important to be in four competitions."
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Fernando Llorente was replaced by Kane after scoring a hat-trick
Image credit: PA Sport
Llorente put the tie beyond Rovers when Manny Monthe missed his tackle on Son Heung-min, allowing the Spaniard to score a simple tap-in.
The South Korean then set up Aurier for his second before helping himself to a goal of his own making, dribbling past two defenders before stroking the ball into the far corner.
Llorente completed his hat-trick with two goals in as many minutes before Kane came on to complete the rout with a deft finish as Tranmere fell apart.
The resounding victory is officially Tottenham’s biggest away win in all competitions since the club was founded.
It was their biggest margin of victory in a competitive match since they beat Wigan Athletic 9-1 in the Premier League in November 2009, and their biggest in the FA Cup since they beat Crewe 13-2 in a fourth round replay in February 1960.
Pochettino added: "I am very pleased but very cold. It is so cold. We were very solid, they worked very hard in the first half and of course, we were a little bit lucky to open the scoring.
"It was a little bit lucky the first goal that opened the game, then I feel that the second half was better. I think our performance we need to work a lot on the first 45 minutes.
"In the second half we found space and were very clinical in front of goal. It was 7-0 but it was very tough to open the scoring."
As for making any moves in the transfer window, Pochettino was not optimistic. He added: "It will be difficult to improve the squad in the transfer window. We are six points off the top, so we are in a good position."
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