Tottenham Hotspur 5-2 Southampton - BBC Sport
Harry Kane grabs another hat-trick and breaks the record for the most Premier League goals scored in a calendar year as Tottenham thrash Southampton.
Last updated on .From the section Premier League

Harry Kane grabbed another hat-trick and broke the record for the most Premier League goals scored in a calendar year as Tottenham thrashed Southampton at Wembley.

The Spurs and England striker headed home his 37th league goal of 2017 on 22 minutes to surpass Alan Shearer's landmark, which was set during his time at Blackburn in 1995.

Kane then added two more either side of half-time to bring his total for the year - for both club and country - to 56, two more than Barcelona and Argentina striker Lionel Messi.

Before Kane's third, Dele Alli had made it 3-0 on 49 minutes when he drilled in from outside the area, before setting up Son Heung-min two minutes later, who powered a confident finish past Fraser Forster.

Southampton, without top scorer Charlie Austin, got off the mark when Sofiane Boufal struck low under Hugo Lloris, and Dusan Tadic added a second with a lofted effort.

Despite a second-half recovery, Saints never looked like spoiling the Spurs party and have now gone a month without a win in the Premier League.

Spurs, meanwhile, stay fifth after Liverpool beat Swansea 5-0 in Tuesday's late kick-off.

It was an impressive display from Mauricio Pochettino's side, but the game will always be remembered for Kane's record-breaking day, as he cemented his status as one of the top flight's most prolific strikers.

Speaking about his 22-year record being taken, Shearer tweeted: "You've had a magnificent 2017, Harry Kane. You deserve to hold the record of most Premier League goals in a calendar year. Well done and keep up the good work."
• None Kane reached his goal-scoring record in 36 games - six fewer than Shearer in 1995
• None The 24-year-old has scored more league goals this season than Bournemouth, West Brom, Swansea, Crystal Palace, Brighton and Huddersfield
• None He is the first player in Premier League history to score six hat-tricks in a single calendar year
• None Kane has scored eight Premier League hat-tricks, as many as Thierry Henry and Michael Owen - only Alan Shearer (11) and Robbie Fowler (9) have more in the competition.
• None Kane has scored 56 goals in 52 appearances in all competitions for Tottenham and England in 2017. He is Europe's top scorer over the past 12 months in the five major countries (England, Spain, Italy, Germany and France)
• None The Spurs striker has now scored 96 Premier League goals for the club - one off Teddy Sheringham's record

Southampton had drawn three and lost three of their past six games and arrived at Wembley without two key players in Austin, who is injured and suspended, and Virgil van Dijk, who was left out of the squad again amid reports of a January exit.

They looked overwhelmed at times and contributed to Tottenham's dominance.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg fouled Danny Rose on the edge of the area and gave away the Christian Eriksen free-kick which led to Kane's opener.

And Nathan Redmond's mistake in the Spurs half gifted the hosts possession and their counter-attack finished with Son's strike for 4-0.

Southampton, three points above the relegation zone in 13th, were able to recover some pride as they twice beat a stuttering Lloris, but it was too little, too late.

Mauricio Pellegrino's side face more tough tasks ahead, with an away trip to Manchester United up next.

"We were a little bit unlucky because in the second half we were close to going 1-2 but once we conceded the third one the game was gone," said Pellegrino.

"I want to see a team with character fighting and playing for the ball. Sometimes you do well, sometimes you do not but the minimum is to show this from the beginning. The wrong thing is we waited until the Tottenham goal to react."

On Van Dijk's omission, the Southampton boss added: "We know that around Virgil there will be a lot of speculation. You will have to wait until January, I pick the best for my team right now. That is my decision."

While Kane will quite rightly dominate the headlines, there were some other stand-out performances for the hosts.

Alli ended his two-month goal drought in the Premier League when he turned on Oriol Romeu and struck a sweet strike from distance, while Son was rewarded for his all-round display with a well-executed finish.

Spurs now have five wins from their past six matches in all competitions, and Pochettino wants their form to continue into 2018.

"We are ambitious but I am happy that we finished the year in a very good way," said the Argentine.

"For next year? We must win - win every game. The mentality is so important for us."

Southampton are back in action on Saturday, 30 December against Manchester United at Old Trafford (17:30 GMT), while Spurs return in 2018, when they travel to Swansea on Tuesday, 2 January (19:45)
• None Attempt missed. Manolo Gabbiadini (Southampton) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Dusan Tadic.
• None Dusan Tadic (Southampton) wins a free kick on the right wing.
• None Attempt missed. Maya Yoshida (Southampton) header from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Dusan Tadic following a set piece situation.
• None Attempt missed. Erik Lamela (Tottenham Hotspur) left footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Dele Alli.
• None Goal! Tottenham Hotspur 5, Southampton 2. Dusan Tadic (Southampton) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the top left corner following a corner.
• None Attempt saved. Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (Southampton) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by Sofiane Boufal. Navigate to the next page Navigate to the last page