Tottenham Hotspur 4-3 Leicester City

Tottenham striker Harry Kane slotted in the opener for his side against Leicester

• Kane takes tally to 29 goals for season
• Leicester's Vardy scores first goal since September 2014
• Foxes concede penalty with score at 2-2
• Leicester remain bottom of top flight

Harry Kane's first Premier League hat-trick got Tottenham's challenge for a top-four spot back on track with a hard-fought win over Leicester.

After Hugo Lloris was carried off, Kane slotted home and scored with a deflected shot as Spurs went 2-0 up.

Jamie Vardy steered in an effort before Wes Morgan headed Leicester level.

Media playback is not supported on this device

Tottenham 4-3 Leicester: Nigel Pearson 'frustrated' with referee

Kane converted a penalty and Foxes defender Jeff Schlupp scored an own goal as Spurs, despite Nugent's late second strike, held on for victory.

Leicester remain bottom of the table but will feel aggrieved at a controversial penalty decision going against them as referee Mike Dean adjudged Nugent had fouled Danny Rose when the pair collided with the game poised at 2-2.

The Foxes again came away with nothing from a valiant display as they lost an 18th league game out of 29 this season.

Tottenham's credentials had been questioned following the way they wilted at Manchester United last Sunday and, even though they secured three points, they remain unconvincing with their vulnerable defence having let in 14 goals in their last six league games.

Nevertheless, the White Hart Lane side are three points off fourth-placed Manchester United, who play fifth-placed Liverpool on Sunday, and have Kane to thank for keeping their rivals within reach.

Harry Kane has now scored 11 goals in his last eight Premier League appearances

Spurs had Lloris carried off on a stretcher four minutes in after right-back Kyle Walker clattered into him trying to tackle Vardy, with Michel Vorm replacing him.

The home side still took the lead two minutes later, as a corner was flicked on at the near post by the boot of Eric Dier and Foxes keeper Kasper Schmeichel could only palm the ball into the path of Kane, who slotted home.

The 21-year-old, called up to the England squad during the week, added his second with a shot which went in via a deflection off Foxes defender Robert Huth.

The home side should have been 3-0 up but Nacer Chadli fired over after Christian Eriksen's shot hit the post.

Media playback is not supported on this device

Pochettino hails 'great' Kane

Leicester manager Nigel Pearson picked an attacking line-up, consisting of three strikers in Vardy, Nugent and Leonardo Ulloa and the move appeared to have backfired.

However, Vardy fired in following a cross from Nugent and Morgan headed in a corner as the visitors took two of the many chances they created to draw their side level.

Leicester were in the ascendancy before referee Dean ruled Nugent had fouled Rose, with Kane making no mistake from the spot as he sent Schmeichel the wrong way.

Schlupp's own goal after an Eriksen effort struck Schmeichel and bounced in off him looked to have put Tottenham out of reach but the visitors refused to give in.

Nugent scored an injury-time goal but Leicester did not have enough time to salvage something from the game.

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino:

"It was a very tough game. We suffered until the end of the game because we conceded a third goal.

"We knew before the game that Leicester are a very good team. I think they deserve more. It was a very tough game and I am happy with the result because three points was very important after the defeat at Manchester United.

"It (Kane's hat-trick) was great. I am happy for him and the team. Now to look forward and keep going.

"We need to improve because we conceded three goals."

Speaking about the injury to Lloris, he added: "He's in hospital with the doctor and we wait for news.

"He got a big cut on the tendon of his knee. We hope it's nothing big."

Leicester boss Nigel Pearson:

"I'm a bit tired of having people's sympathy. We have made mistakes but there was an awful lot of positive aspects of our performance.

"Unfortunately, the game's big talking point will be another contentious decision that we are on receiving end of again.

"We stayed in the game and stretched them until the very end. But we have to start winning games, it is as simple as that.

"We've got to try to get to the last five games well in touch because four of them are at home."

Tottenham keeper Hugo Lloris was carried off on a stretcher after colliding with team-mate Kyle Walker

Jamie Vardy scored his first goal since his effort in a 5-3 win over Manchester United in September 2014

Leicester defender Wes Morgan scored his first Premier League goal

Harry Kane is the first Spurs player to score a league hat-trick since Gareth Bale in December 2012

• Line-ups
• Match Stats
• Live Text

Line-ups

Tottenham

• 1LlorisSubstituted forVormat 4'minutes
• 2Walker
• 15Dier
• 5Vertonghen
• 3RoseBooked at 78mins
• 38MasonSubstituted forDembéléat 88'minutes
• 42Bentaleb
• 17TownsendSubstituted forPaulinhoat 58'minutes
• 23Eriksen
• 22ChadliBooked at 32mins
• 18Kane

Substitutes

• 6Chiriches
• 8Paulinho
• 10Adebayor
• 11Lamela
• 13Vorm
• 19Dembélé
• 33Davies

Leicester

• 1Schmeichel
• 2de Laet
• 5Morgan
• 14HuthSubstituted forMahrezat 76'minutes
• 6UpsonSubstituted forWasilewskiat 45'minutes
• 15Schlupp
• 35NugentBooked at 48mins
• 8James
• 19CambiassoSubstituted forKingat 86'minutes
• 9Vardy
• 23Ulloa

Substitutes

• 3Konchesky
• 4Drinkwater
• 10King
• 26Mahrez
• 27Wasilewski
• 32Schwarzer
• 40Kramaric

Referee:

Mike Dean

Attendance:

35,950

Match Stats

Home TeamTottenhamAway TeamLeicester

Possession

Home66%

Away34%

Shots

Home10

Away14

Shots on Target

Home4

Away5

Corners

Home4

Away4

Fouls

Home8

Away9

Live Text

Posted at

Match ends, Tottenham Hotspur 4, Leicester City 3.

Full Time

Posted at 90'+4'

Second Half ends, Tottenham Hotspur 4, Leicester City 3.

Posted at 90'+4'

Corner, Tottenham Hotspur. Conceded by Jeffrey Schlupp.

Goal!

Posted at 90'

Goal! Tottenham Hotspur 4, Leicester City 3. David Nugent (Leicester City) right footed shot from outside the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Jamie Vardy with a headed pass following a fast break.

Posted at 89'

Corner, Tottenham Hotspur. Conceded by Andy King.

Substitution

Posted at 88'

Substitution, Tottenham Hotspur. Mousa Dembélé replaces Ryan Mason.

Substitution

Posted at 86'

Substitution, Leicester City. Andy King replaces Esteban Cambiasso.

Goal!

Posted at 85'

Own Goal by Jeffrey Schlupp, Leicester City. Tottenham Hotspur 4, Leicester City 2.

Posted at 85'

Attempt saved. Christian Eriksen (Tottenham Hotspur) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Paulinho with a through ball.

Posted at 82'

Corner, Tottenham Hotspur. Conceded by Wes Morgan.

Posted at 78'

Attempt missed. Marcin Wasilewski (Leicester City) header from very close range is too high. Assisted by Riyad Mahrez with a cross following a set piece situation.

Booking

Posted at 78'

Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

Posted at 77'

Foul by Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur).

Posted at 77'

Matthew James (Leicester City) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Posted at 77'

Corner, Leicester City. Conceded by Kyle Walker.

Substitution

Posted at 76'

Substitution, Leicester City. Riyad Mahrez replaces Robert Huth.

Posted at 72'

Attempt missed. Nacer Chadli (Tottenham Hotspur) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is too high. Assisted by Eric Dier with a cross.

Posted at 71'

Offside, Leicester City. Marcin Wasilewski tries a through ball, but Leonardo Ulloa is caught offside.

Posted at 70'

Foul by Nabil Bentaleb (Tottenham Hotspur).

Posted at 70'

Leonardo Ulloa (Leicester City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Posted at 67'

Attempt missed. Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Nacer Chadli.

Posted at 65'

Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Posted at 65'

Foul by Leonardo Ulloa (Leicester City).

Goal!

Posted at 64'

Goal! Tottenham Hotspur 3, Leicester City 2. Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.

Posted at 63'

Penalty Tottenham Hotspur. Danny Rose draws a foul in the penalty area.

Posted at 63'

Penalty conceded by David Nugent (Leicester City) after a foul in the penalty area.

Posted at 61'

Ryan Mason (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick on the left wing.

Posted at 61'

Foul by Matthew James (Leicester City).

Posted at 61'

Attempt missed. Robert Huth (Leicester City) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Matthew James with a cross following a corner.

Posted at 60'

Corner, Leicester City. Conceded by Danny Rose.

Posted at 60'

Attempt blocked. Robert Huth (Leicester City) header from the right side of the six yard box is blocked. Assisted by Matthew James with a cross.

Posted at 60'

Foul by Nacer Chadli (Tottenham Hotspur).

Posted at 60'

Jeffrey Schlupp (Leicester City) wins a free kick on the left wing.

Posted at 59'

Attempt blocked. Matthew James (Leicester City) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Jamie Vardy.

Substitution

Posted at 58'

Substitution, Tottenham Hotspur. Paulinho replaces Andros Townsend.

Posted at 58'

Attempt missed. Nacer Chadli (Tottenham Hotspur) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.

Posted at 56'

Corner, Tottenham Hotspur. Conceded by Esteban Cambiasso.

Posted at 52'

Foul by Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur).

Posted at 52'

Jamie Vardy (Leicester City) wins a free kick on the left wing.

Goal!

Posted at 50'

Goal! Tottenham Hotspur 2, Leicester City 2. Wes Morgan (Leicester City) header from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Matthew James with a cross following a corner.

Show more updates