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Is there a better candidate for Player of the Year?

There may be bigger names, players easier on the eye or warriors with more experience.

But Harry Kane continues to make a compelling case to cap a dream season with the award.

His hat-trick to push Leicester even nearer the trap door means he has now scored 29 times in this, his first full season – 19 in the Premier League.

That is more than Diego Costa, Sergio Aguero, Alexis Sanchez or Olivier Giroud – even though Kane did not start a league game until November.

In pictures: Tottenham 4-3 Leicester

The Spurs academy striker is now set to smash the 30-goal barrier – a feat that would make him their first player to do so since Gary Lineker hit 35 in all competitions in 1991-92.

It is well documented that Kane started this season as Tottenham’s third-choice striker, relegated to the Europa League while Emmanuel Adebayor and Roberto Soldado featured domestically.

But Kane came in to shoot his club into Champions League contention and – with supporting contributions from Christian Eriksen and Nacer Chadli– has kept them there.

Costa, Aguero and Sanchez have all done superbly, as has John Terry, who is also in the reckoning for Player of the Year.

At Manchester United David De Gea'a heroics have provided the platform for Louis van Gaal's top four bid.

But Kane has really confounded expectations. The 21-year-old has arguably had more of an impact on his side than any of his rivals for the crown.

(Image: PA)

His movement, industry and composure in front of goal suggest this is far from a freak season for a man who has destroyed Chelsea and Arsenal during his scoring spree.

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino said: “I think Harry is today a player that people prize a lot. This season Harry has a big impact in English football.

"He’s one of the better English players so far.”

Leicester boss Nigel Pearson, who had him on loan two years ago, added: “You could see that he was very good technically and a very good lad as well. His rise this season has been exceptional.”

Called up for the England squad just two days before his treble on Saturday, Kane would have been happy with just one goal to celebrate his landmark.

(Image: Jamie McDonald)

Instead, he filled his boots to make himself favourite to lift the Premier League Golden Boot at the end of the season. If only the Spurs

Defence was as sharp as he is. This was another poor day for a backline who have shipped 14 goals in their last six and have not kept a clean sheet since January.

After losing keeper Hugo Lloris to a gashed knee after just two minutes, Spurs fans could have been forgiven for having a bad feeling about this one.

Kane settled nerves with a close-range finish after six minutes and a deflected effort after 13. Spurs should have been home and hosed.

(Image: PA)

However, Tottenham possess an unerring ability to muck up even the most straightforward of tasks. So when Jamie Vardy and Wes Morgan hit back either side of half-time it looked as though they had blown their chance.

But they were let off the hook when ref Mike Dean ruled David Nugent had fouled Danny Rose in the box. Kane completed his hat-trick from the spot.

It looked done and dusted when Jeff Schlupp turned Eriksen’s effort into his own net for 4-2. Even then the Spurs defence allowed Nugent to pull another goal back.

Leicester have conceded 48 goals this season, but Spurs have only shipped four less. That is shocking for a team chasing Champions League football.