EPL

Spurs ready to handle 'high-pressure situations' under Conte, says Kane

By Sports Desk August 22, 2022

Harry Kane feels Tottenham have shown a steelier resolve under Antonio Conte, with the England captain suggesting his side are ready to handle "high-pressure situations".

The striker became the all-time record goalscorer for a single club in the Premier League this weekend with his 185th goal, which fired Spurs to a 1-0 win over Wolves.

Conte replaced Nuno Espirito Santo last season and ultimately guided Tottenham to Champions League qualification, at the expense of north London rivals Arsenal.

Under the Italian, Tottenham arguably look the best they have been since the Mauricio Pochettino era, and Kane certainly believes they can show their mettle this term in the hunt for success.

"We've definitely strengthened," he said, as reported by The Evening Standard. "The mentality was starting to change towards the back end of last year.

"To get Champions League in the way we did and performing in high-pressure situations at the end of the season was really important.

"We've added to the squad, we've got better, we've improved, we've had a good pre-season with the manager. He demands a lot from us on the pitch, off the pitch, [with the] mentality.

"We're in a good place. We know we need to improve, especially the last two first-halves against Chelsea and [Wolves], we need to better. But I think as the season goes on we'll get stronger and stronger.

"I think that if you want to do something important in the season you have to be able to handle those high-pressure situations.

"In the big games, in the tight games, you have to be able to come out on top and build those points throughout the whole year.

"We've started the season well. Obviously the first game we played really well and the next two we know we can improve but we've got good results."

Spurs travel to Nottingham Forest for their next Premier League outing on Sunday.

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    Antonio Conte was frustrated that VAR did not reverse a penalty decision against Napoli as they played out a 1-1 draw with Inter on Sunday.

    Hakan Calhanoglu failed to convert the spot kick in question late in the game, with the Turkish international having equalised for the hosts after Scott McTominay's opener.

    Despite the decision not affecting the result in the end, Conte criticised VAR for not overruling the referee's decision to penalise Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa for a foul on Denzel Dumfries. 

    "Can they [VAR] only intervene when it suits them? A decision from the referee like this can transform a match and VAR cannot do anything about it," Conte told DAZN.

    "Either VAR is there to correct errors or it is not. If there is an error, it has to intervene. It really angers me, but it does to all coaches. It has to intervene if there is a mistake.

    "If there is VAR, it must be used to correct errors or show the referee situations that he did not see. If it's a clear error, and it was, then why should [referee Maurizio] Mariani be allowed to just do that."

    Despite his frustration with refereeing decisions, Conte was satisfied with his team's performance, as they held strong against a spirited second-half display from the Italian champions.

    "I said that we would not come here to just be sparring partners against the strongest squad in Serie A, so it was important for us to face them with strength, character, accepting duels all over the field," he said.

    "On that score, I am very satisfied. It was not easy to play here. We all know that we are making improvements and working hard, otherwise, you don't come to San Siro twice and also against Juventus without defeat.

    "The lads are proving themselves, though, of course, we could've done much, much more in terms of quality today. There were too many errors, a lot of technical errors, but I am sure there will be further improvements."

    Napoli's point ensured they stayed top of Serie A heading into the international break, moving them to 26 points in what is shaping up to be a tight title race. Conte's side sit one point clear of Atalanta, Fiorentina, Inter and Lazio.

  • 'It's been a long time,' says McKenna after Ipswich stun Tottenham for first league win 'It's been a long time,' says McKenna after Ipswich stun Tottenham for first league win

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    Sammie Szmodics and Liam Delap scored for Ipswich before half-time at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. 

    Though Tottenham reduced the deficit through Rodrigo Bentancur in the 69th minute, the Tractor Boys held on for a famous win. 

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    "I am so proud. It's been a long time for the club, 22 years since the supporters saw a win in the Premier League. The journey to get to here has been a big one," McKenna told BBC Sport after the game. 

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    The result was extra special for an Ipswich side, who were denied a win by Leicester City last week through a 94th-minute equaliser from Jordan Ayew, who made it 1-1 at Portman Road.

    But Szmodics and Delap – the latter with his sixth Premier League goal of the season – struck in the first half to give Ipswich a two-goal cushion. 

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    Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou took full responsibility after his side suffered a 2-1 defeat to previously winless Ipswich Town in the Premier League. 

    Sammie Szmodics and Liam Delap gave Ipswich a 2-0 lead at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as Spurs fell short, despite Rodrigo Bentancur returning a goal in the second half.  

    It was Tottenham's third defeat in their last five matches across all competitions and leaves Postecoglou's side in 10th place in the Premier League with 16 points from 11 matches. 

    "It's hugely disappointing. We started slow and passively. We gave ourselves a mountain to climb. In the second half, we had chances but didn’t do enough to win the game," the Australian coach told BBC Sport after the game. 

    His side had also suffered a 3-2 defeat to Galatasaray in the Europa League on Thursday. 

    The hosts generated an xG of 1.82 on Sunday with five shots on target from 17 attempts, but were unable to take anything from the game.

    "It's just down to me, I’m not getting consistent performances from the players. It’s something I need to address. I’m the person in charge, so that’s usually the way it goes. I take responsibility," said Postecoglou. 

    "We can’t give ourselves those kind of mountains to climb." 

    When asked about Ipswich's time-wasting tactics, Postecoglou said it is something his players will have to deal with. 

    "It seems to be the way the Premier League is going. Clubs are taking strategic time-outs. We just have to cop it. It’s up to the officials, not me," he said. 

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