THE NOTEBOOK: Spurs fans are Crazy in Love with record goalscorer Harry Kane

Harry Kane’s first-half goal handed Tottenham a crucial 1-0 win against Manchester City in their chase for Champions League football next season.

The win gave Spurs their second 1-0 victory in back-to-back Premier League games and has given the travelling City fans a cause for concern as they fall behind in the title race.

Sportsmail’s Sami Mokbel takes a look at some of the things you might have missed at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium…

Spurs looking for centre-back solution

The January transfer window hasn’t been closed a week, yet Tottenham recruitment staff have already turned their attentions to the summer version. A dominant central defender features at the very top of their wanted list. 

Perhaps, Daniel Levy should have popped down to the stadium’s media lounge on Sunday where none other than Jaap Stam was looking as imposing and menacing as he did when he was the beating heart of Manchester United’s defence in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He cost £10m back then. How much would prime Stam cost now?

Harry Kane’s first-half goal earned Tottenham a 1-0 win as he also made history for the club

Phil Foden’s surprise absence 

Phil Foden’s absence from Manchester City’s match-day squad got tongues wagging ahead of kick-off . The England man has had to settle for a peripheral role since his return from World Cup. 

So was his omission here easily explained or a case of something more sinister? Pep Guardiola cleared up the confusion, saying: ‘He was there in the hotel. He felt unwell the whole night.’ Hmmmm.

Antonio Conte’s return to London

There is hope Antonio Conte will be well enough to return to London today as he remained in Italy on Sunday recovering from an operation to remove his gallbladder. Conte being Conte, his absence didn’t prevent him from having a hand in the team’s match-day preparations from his sick bed in Turin through a morning Zoom call. 

‘He was involved until this morning,’ said Spurs No 2 Cristian Stellini. ‘We spoke about the team but it was my decision as I managed the training session.’

Phil Foden was absent from Manchester City’s squad – is something more sinister going on?

Spurs fans are Crazy in Love with record goalscorer

No time was wasted in promoting Beyonce’s summer concerts following Wednesday’s announcement that the global icon’s Renaissance world tour is coming to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in May. Ticketing information regarding the multi-Grammy award winning artist adorned the digital adverting boards throughout the game, but there’s only one performer Spurs fans are Crazy in Love with – Harry Kane, the club’s new all-time leading goalscorer.

200 – Harry Kane has scored more Premier League goals than Barnsley, Swindon, Huddersfield and Cardiff combined.

Rico Lewis a bright spark in poor City performance

The collective shrug of shoulders in the 55th minute said it all. Jack Grealish, whose cross had just floated harmlessly out of play, and Erling Haaland didn’t have an answer. Grealish’s ensuing chat with Pep Guardiola heralded little improvement. Neither did the introduction of Kevin de Bruyne in place of Riyad Mahrez – who did have the answers the last time these two teams clashed. City will require more solutions and less shrugs if they are to overhaul Arsenal to retain their Premier League title.

PS – he was on the losing side but Rico Lewis is an England international in waiting. Phenomenal talent.

Rico Lewis was a bright spark again for Manchester City and looks like a phenomenal talent