Harry Kane became a record breaker on Boxing Day.
His hat-trick against Southampton in Tottenham’s 5-2 win broke the record for the most Premier League goals in a single calendar year, with a tally of 36 in 2017. Alan Shearer was the previous record holder, scoring 39 in 1995 for Blackburn Rovers. Overall, he got 55 goals in all competitions this year. It’s another incredible achievement for the striker, especially at the age of just 24.
And while it’s a late Christmas present for Spurs fans, supporters of other clubs are quick to point out they have a small problem with all the fuss about Kane. He might have broken a record in the Premier League era (eg. post-1992), but back in 1927, Everton legend Dixie Dean got 48 goals top flight goals. Then in 1928, he only got 47 in the league, but a whopping 85 in all competitions.
The Harry Kane "record" is impressive, until you compare it to Dixie Dean. #IfYouKnowYourHistory
— Ohio Toffees ⚽ (@Ohio_Toffees) December 26, 2017
https://twitter.com/colinfloodefc/status/945657591463596033
https://twitter.com/squaremilenews/status/945655739615514624
I hear Harry Kane is now the record calendar year goalscorer in the English league. Phenomenal achievement. I had thought Dixie Dean's record of 62 goals would never be broken. 🙄🙄
— Trevor McKinlay (@TrevorMcKinlay) December 26, 2017
60 league goals in one season is the famous record. But he also holds the calendar year total goals record with 62.
— Trevor McKinlay (@TrevorMcKinlay) December 26, 2017
What's the fuss about Kane's so-called record 36 goals in year. In 1932 Clarrie Bourton scored 42 for @Coventry_City . MSM ignoring pre-PL records. And Dixie Dean got 62 in 1927.
— Jim Brown (@Clarriebourton) December 24, 2017
And of course, if there’s a stick to beat Tottenham’s success with, Arsenal fans will jump on it as well.
It’s as though some people forget there was football before 1992, the most goals in a callender year is actually held by Dixie Dean whilst playing for Everton in 1928.
— MR DT (@MrDtAFC) December 26, 2017
What do you think? Do we need to sport pretending that football was created in 1992 with the invention of the Premier League? Or is comparing the modern era with 90 years ago essentially pointless, since the game has changed so much since then?
Or is the fact that Lionel Messi once scored 91 times in calendar year make this all null and void?
