Harry Kane brace edges Spurs towards Champions League places

Spurs beat QPR 2-1 at Loftus Road after a Harry Kane double.

QPR almost went ahead in the first minute when Hugo Lloris tipped a Bobby Zamora header onto the crossbar. Spurs hit back minutes later when Harry Kane glanced a header for Rob Green to push over the bar. On the half hour mark, Charlie Austin smashed a shot against the crossbar.

Spurs took the lead when Andros Townsend’s inswinging corner was headed into an empty net by Kane after Green failed to track the flight of the ball.

In the second half, both sides had chances to score, but Kane settled the tie with 20 minutes left when Ryan Mason split a ball-watching defence for Kane to collect, round the keeper, and slot into an empty net.

With 15 minutes left, Sandro gave QPR hope when he drilled in a shot after Zamora teed him up on the edge of the box. QPR then had a handball appeal waved away by the referee.

Despite keeping the pressure up on the Spurs defence, QPR were unable to find a way through for an equaliser.

1’ - ZAMORA HEADER: Lloris tips over a looping header from Zamora after a quick QPR start, with the ball coming off the woodwork too.

30’ - AUSTIN SHOT: Phillips drives at goal and passes into the centre of the box. The ball runs into the path of Austin as Spurs fail to clear, he takes a touch into space and then smashes a shot into the crossbar.

34’ - GOAL! QPR 0-1 Spurs: Kane scores. The free-kick is curled in by Townsend curls in a free kick to the back post, and Kane, unmarked, heads into an empty net as Green runs to where the ball was about to be.

38’ - QPR PENALTY APPEAL: Caulker scoops a pass over the top for Isla, who taps it past Lloris - other defenders cover - and Isla goes down under minimal, if any contact.

47’ - ERIKSEN SHOT: Eriksen cuts inside from the left and arcs a shot to beat Rob Green, and it crashes off the post. It bounces to Kane, lurking, and he can only slice his volley wide.

57’- ZAMORA HITS THE POST: Zamora volleyed from the left to volley against the bar with the keeper beaten.

58’ - AUSTIN BLOCK: Eriksen has a shot from close range but Austin is back covering to block the shot on the line.

69’ - GOAL! QPR 0-2 Spurs. Kane scores: Mason lifts the ball down the middle, the back four static. Chadli leaves the ball to Kane, who skips around Green and tucks into the net.

75’ - GOAL! QPR 1-2 Spurs. Sandro scores: The ball comes to Zamora at the near post, he lays it off to Sandro, and he drills a shot into the bottom right corner.

Spurs have conceded 300 goals in Premier League London derbies.

Spurs have kept just one clean sheet in their last 12 Premier League away matches.

Harry Kane has scored 10 goals in his last nine Premier League away games.

Queens Park Rangers have won none of their last 11 Premier League London derbies (W0 D3 L8).

QPR have won just one of their last 11 matches in the Premier League (W1 D2 L8).

Harry Kane has scored 14 goals in his last 13 Premier League appearances.

Spurs are not out of the Champions League race. They are now just one point behind Liverpool after this victory. They impressed to bounce back to a 3-2 win over Swansea after the disappointment of the League Cup, and showed impressive fitness, determination and skill to claim victory and hold onto a lead in a local derby today. The side continue to show they are on an upwards trajectory.

Harry Kane (Spurs): The rest of the side performed well enough, but Kane turned up exactly when Spurs needed him. His first goal put them ahead against the run of the play to knock the wind out of a bright QPR start, and the second goal allowed Spurs some breathing space, and allowed them to claim all three points despite a late rally from the hosts.

QPR: Green 6, Onuoha 6, Caulker 5, Ferdinand 5, Suk-Young 6, Isla 6, Sandro 6, Henry 6, Phillips 6, Austin 6, Zamora 7. Subs: Wright-Phillips 6, Hoilett 6, Grego-Cox 6.

Spurs: Lloris 6, Walker 6, Dier 6, Vertonghen 6, Davies 6, Bentaleb 6, Mason 6, Chadli 6, Eriksen 7, Townsend 6, Kane 7. Subs: Dembele 6, Lamela 6, Stambouli 6.