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Tottenham 5-1 NS Mura: Harry Kane comes off bench to score hat-trick as Spurs survive brief scare

Tottenham 5-1 NS Mura: Harry Kane comes off bench to score hat-trick as Spurs survive brief scare

Harry Kane came off the bench to score a hat-trick and ensure Tottenham eventually cruised past Slovenian minnows NS Mura in their Europa Conference League clash.

Spurs had led 2-0 at half-time but grew increasingly sluggish and a wonderful volley from Žiga Kous halved the deficit, prompting a concerted Nuno Espirito Santo to turn to his big guns, including Kane, whose treble secured a 5-1 win.

Nuno Espirito Santo made nine changes to the side that had started the 3-1 north London derby defeat to Arsenal on Sunday, with Sergio Reguilon and Dele Alli the only survivors and it was the latter - captain for the night - who won and then converted a penalty to put the hosts ahead inside five minutes.

Soon after the lead was doubled as the excellent Giovani Lo Celso swept high into the top corner and at that point a cricket score appeared to be on the cards but Spurs failed to turn their dominance into a more sizeable advantage before the break.

Seven minutes after the restart, Kous took advantage of a half-cleared corner to arrow a stunning volley home and that saw Nuno turn almost immediately to his bench, sending on Kane, Lucas Moura and Heung-min Son in a triple substitution on the hour-mark.

Lucas’ pass sent Kane in behind to poke home and restore the two-goal cushion before Son laid across the face of goal for the England captain to add a second and put the result beyond doubt.

Lo Celso’s pass earlier in the move had been crucial to that goal and he added an assist to an impressive display when teeing up Kane to complete his hat-trick two minutes from time.

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