Tottenham star Harry Kane blasts ‘dangerous’ Jack Rodwell after his horror hack on Spurs man Mousa Dembele
Sunderland man took a vicious swipe at Belgian midfielder in Tuesday night's goalless draw at the Stadium of Light
HARRY KANE has slammed Jack Rodwell and Sunderland for giving Spurs a kicking at the Stadium of Light.
Tottenham blew a golden chance to close the gap on league leaders Chelsea when they were held to a 0-0 draw on Wearside last night.
But Kane has criticised referee Lee Mason for failing to send off Rodwell for his knee-high tackle on Mousa Dembele in the first half.
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And the Spurs striker has moaned his side need more protection from officials when playing against teams who are just looking to rough them up.
Kane, 23, fumed: “You could say the other team were physical.
“I think there were some decisions on that pitch that were very surprising, like Mousa getting kicked knee-high on the pitch.
“If you go up to anyone on the pitch and kick them knee-height on purpose, it doesn’t matter if it’s a ‘tactical foul’, let’s say, it’s a red card.
“We all know a pull on the shirt or a trip on the foot or even the shin is one thing.
“But kicking someone knee-height on purpose like that, I think’s a dangerous tackle and for me I think it’s definitely a red card.
“There was another one. Son Heung-Min got a big gash going down his shin where the guy’s kicked the ball and followed through onto his shin.
“Yes it’s physical but then I think we have to be protected as well, so obviously we’re disappointed from that side of it.
“It’s just an observation that I think most people watching that game or seeing that challenge would agree with us.”
Kane, though, admits Tottenham cannot just blame their lacklustre stalemate at Sunderland on the physical approach of the relegation-threatened hosts.
And he knows Spurs must be prepared to do battle for the rest of the season if they are to stay in the title hunt.
Kane said: “I still think it’s down to us to play better as well.
“We didn’t play as well as we have done in recent weeks, we know that.
“Teams are fighting for their lives and you can understand they’re going to battle hard and work hard, especially against the bigger teams - at home as well.
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“It happens every year. It happened last year. We’re ready for that and we’ve got no excuses for that. We’ve just got to perform better.”
But Kane agrees last night was a huge missed opportunity to pile some pressure on Chelsea, who drew at Liverpool, and go clear of Arsenal, who lost at home to Watford.
Tottenham host Middlesbrough next on Saturday as they look to get back on track.
And Kane added: “Of course it’s very frustrating, especially when you come in and find out the teams around us dropped points as well. It was a great opportunity for us.
“Obviously we’re disappointed now and all we can do is get on with it and try to do something about it on Saturday.
“We’ve got another important game at the weekend.
“Arsenal and Chelsea play each other as well so one or both of them might drop points and we’ve got to be ready to capitalise.”