Ankle injury clouds Kane double as Spurs draw with Everton

England forward Harry Kane suffered a worrying ankle injury ahead of next week’s League Cup final after scoring twice in Tottenham Hotspur’s 2-2 draw away to Everton in the Premier League on Friday.

Gylfi Sigurdsson also grabbed two goals for Everton in a result that did little for either side’s European hopes.

Kane, expected to lead England’s attack in this year’s coronavirus delayed European Championships, went off in stoppage time towards the end of the match after rolling his ankle when challenged in the box at an Everton corner.

“It is too early to say something,” Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho told Sky Sports when asked afterwards about Kane’s injury.

“For him to leave the pitch with a few minutes to go is obviously because he felt something. Let me be optimistic and believe that he has time to recover. Let’s see. It’s obvious he’s a very important player for us. I cannot say much or speculate.”

Kane’s 20th league goal of the season put Spurs ahead in the 27th minute at Goodison Park only for Sigurdsson to equalise soon afterwards from the penalty spot.

It was the reverse story in the second half, Sigurdsson getting his second in the 62nd minute before Kane levelled six minutes later.

Spurs remain seventh, five points off the top four having played one game more than West Ham.

Mourinho said of Kane’s double: “It was great finishing. Two beautiful goals but not a surprise for the ones who see him do it every day in training.”

Meanwhile, Mourinho had little time for Paul Pogba’s recent criticism of his management style when he was in charge of Manchester United.

Pogba accused Mourinho of “going against players” and making them feel like “they don’t exist any more.”

But Mourinho, who made France midfielder Pogba the world’s most expensive player when he brought him to Old Trafford in 2016, insisted Friday: “I would like to say that I couldn’t care less what he says. I am not interested at all.”

Everton were left a place and one point further back than Tottenham, but do have a game in hand on Mourinho’s side.

“It was probably the best we played at home this season,” said Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti.

“We were unlucky. We did easy mistakes and when you do mistakes against Harry Kane you are condemned.

“We have more difficulties to reach Europe but we have to keep fighting. We still have (the) possibility, playing like tonight.”

Newcastle moved closer to Premier League survival after Joe Willock’s late goal capped a thrilling 3-2 win against 10-man West Ham that dented the visitors’ bid for a top four finish in the Premier League.

Steve Bruce’s side had squandered a two-goal lead in the closing stages at St James’ Park, but Willock came off the bench to snatch a priceless winner.

Newcastle are nine points clear of the relegation zone with just six games remaining in a turbulent season on Tyneside.

The Magpies had taken control in the first half thanks to Issa Diop’s own goal and a blunder from West Ham keeper Lukasz Fabianski for Joelinton’s strike.

West Ham defender Craig Dawson was sent off for two bookings in between those goals.

But the Hammers set up a tense finale when Diop got one back before Jesse Lingard equalised with a penalty 10 minutes from full-time.

On-loan Arsenal midfielder Willock settled a pulsating encounter with his thunderous header, putting Newcastle in position to avoid relegation.

Staying up would be an impressive achievement for Bruce, who has battled with dressing room rifts and distracting takeover talk.

Agence France-Presse