Spurs fall to Burnley on Kane return

Harry Kane gave Tottenham a huge boost before kick-off by making his long-awaited return from an ankle injury, but his second half equaliser proved futile as Burnley ran out 2-1 winners.

Mauricio Pochettino opted to utilise the 5-3-2 formation that had worked to such devastating effect in the 3-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund 10 days earlier, with Kane partnering Son Heung-Min in attack. Jan Vertonghen did not reprise his role at left wing-back as Danny Rose had made a timely recovery from illness, while Serge Aurier was preferred to Kieran Trippier on the right.

The first half was as even as it was dull, with chances few and far between. The returning Kane had a couple of speculative efforts on the Burnley goal, but saw his attempts fly either wide or straight into the hands of Burnley's Tom Heaton. England manager Gareth Southgate was in the stands, casting an eye over the host of English talent on show, including Harry Winks, James Tarkowski and Danny Rose as well as Kane and Heaton. Burnley also had their moments in a quiet first period - Ashley Barnes going closest with a drive just over Hugo Lloris' crossbar.

But the disappointing first half gave way to a thrilling second. Kane set the tone early on, smashing a long range strike towards the top corner only for Heaton to tip wide. Juan Foyth then headed over a Christian Eriksen free-kick. But it was Burnley who made the breakthrough, and in rather controversial circumstances.

Vertonghen and Jeff Hendrick both slid in on a loose ball in the Spurs penalty area, with the ball's last ricochet appearing to touch the Burnley midfielder before going out of play. Referee Mike Dean pointed for a corner, which was promptly headed home by New Zealand striker Chris Wood, rising magnificently above his markers. Pochettino was incensed, and ranted at the fourth official for a good minute after the goal.

Tottenham reacted well, and had an equaliser on 66 minutes. Danny Rose took Burnley by surprise, launching a long throw down the left flank for Kane to run on to. The England captain controlled well before surging into the box and beating the onrushing Heaton with a deft finish.

Suddenly the game was at boiling point, and this was reflected in the number of reckless challenges that began flying in. Sean Dyche felt Juan Foyth should have been sent off when the Argentine went in for a studs-up challenge, before Phil Bardsley clattered into Danny Rose with a scissor kick. With 10 minutes to go, Tottenham had enjoyed 70% of the ball in the second half, but had struggled to create much with it.

And soon they were punished. Johann Gudmunsson went for goal on the half-volley, skewing his effort so badly that it skidded across goal and turned into a perfect cross for the lurking Ashley Barnes, who tapped home at the far post. Turf Moor erupted, and Pochettino looked shell-shocked.

Tottenham had run out of ideas, and with minutes to go decided to start launching long balls for Kane and second-half substitute Fernando Llorente to contest in the air. The tactic almost worked deep into injury time, with Erik Lamela latching onto the end of a ball from the left, but could only direct his header straight at Heaton.

As the full-time whistle blew Mauricio Pochettino marched straight up to Mike Dean and remonstrated with the referee before being seperated by players and staff, clearly still furious with the awarding of a corner for the first goal.

Burnley won't care one bit - they move up to 13th, six points clear of the relegation zone. Tottenham, on the other hand, remain third, and could find themselves eight points off the top if Liverpool beat Manchester United on Sunday. Is it a two-horse title race once again?