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Leicester’s Champions League hopes dim with loss to Spurs

London, Jul 19 (efe-epa).- Harry Kane had a brace here Sunday to lead Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 over Leicester City, an outcome that reduces the Foxes’ chances of Champions League play in 2020-2021.

In the process of boosting their own prospects for a Europa League berth, Jose Mourinho’s men provided what could prove to be a decisive assist to Manchester United in the battle for the two remaining places in the Premier League top four.

Spurs climbed to sixth on 58 points, 2 more than Wolverhampton, who have a game in hand. Leicester, meanwhile, remain at 62 points, the same as Man United, but the Red Devils have played one fewer game.

Both trail third-place Chelsea by a point.

Leicester keep fourth place for now on the basis of more goals scored, but they have to play United in the final match of the season and the same defensive weaknesses that hurt them against Spurs will make them vulnerable to a Red Devils attack now firing on all cylinders.

Tottenham will end the season away to slumping Crystal Palace, who are visiting Wolves on Monday. Wolverhampton’s last game is against Chelsea.

Against Leicester, Spurs took the lead in the 6th minute as a strike by Son Heung-min bounced off Foxes defender James Justin and into the net.

Kane, whose pass released Son on the first goal, scored on the counter in the 37th minute to double the advantage for the hosts before making it 3-0 in the 40th with a masterful shot.

It was a second straight two-goal performance by the England captain, who seems to have fully recovered from the injury that kept him out of action from January through the suspension of play in March due to Covid-19.

At the other end of the table, Bournemouth moved a step closer to relegation Sunday by losing 2-0 to Southampton.

The Cherries are 19th with 31 points, 3 from safety, and even a victory over Everton next week in their final match will not assure them of staying up.

Southampton led 1-0 at half-time thanks to a goal in the 41st minute by Danny Ings, who brought his season total to 21, just two shy of leader Jamie Vardy in the chase for the Premier League golden boot.

The Saints striker had an opportunity for a second goal, but Bournemouth goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale thwarted Ings from the penalty spot in the 59th minute.

Sam Surridge appeared to equalize for Bournemouth in stoppage time, but the goal was disallowed after the VAR official determined that Callum Wilson was offside.

Still reeling from that blow, the Cherries conceded a goal to Che Adams to see any chance of salvaging a point destroyed.

Southampton, who have been impressive in the re-start, are 11th with 49 points. EFE

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