LONDON -- Antonio Conte rued the timing of this international break coming so soon after becoming Tottenham's new head coach, but Friday's 5-0 win over Albania in World Cup qualifying could be the catalyst for Harry Kane to finally kickstart his season.
It should be noted at the outset that Albania were a shadow of the team that arrived at Wembley occupying third place in Group I having beaten Hungary home and away in the process, failing to put up even a modicum of the challenge Gareth Southgate anticipated before kick-off. But this was nevertheless a restorative night for Kane, whose first-half hat-trick etched his name even more prominently in England's record books, perhaps providing a timely reminder to all, including himself, of the 28-year-old's enduring pedigree.