Harry Kane hat trick sends Tottenham past Fulham in FA Cup

Craig Mercer - CameraSport via Getty Images

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Harry Kane scored a hat trick as Tottenham Hotspur saw off Fulham 3-0 at Craven Cottage to reach the quarterfinals of the FA Cup.

A dominant Tottenham were too much for their Championship opponents with captain Kane opening the scoring in the first half before adding two more in the second to send his side into the last eight of the competition.

Tottenham started the game on top and created two chances in quick succession in the opening few minutes, with Christian Eriksen seeing a strike saved after being played in by Dele Alli, before Alli then fired just wide from the edge of the box moments later.

Spurs were rewarded for their early pressure in the 16th minute when they edged ahead through Kane, who volleyed home Eriksen's cross into the box after he had latched onto Kieran Trippier's quick throw.

The visitors could well have doubled their lead just a minute later when Alli was played in on goal by Toby Alderweireld's long ball, but the midfielder failed to connect properly with his shot with just Marcus Bettinelli to beat.

A lapse in concentration from Michel Vorm after 20 minutes nearly allowed Fulham back into the game with his poor clearance being intercepted by Tom Cairney, but the Dutchman was able to recover quickly to save the midfielder's strike at goal.

Five minutes later, Tottenham were back down the other end when Kane slipped in Eriksen after stealing possession, only for the Denmark international to send his effort high and wide from a tight angle after bearing down on goal.

A late flurry from Fulham at the end of the first half saw Stefan Johansen strike just wide of the post from the edge of the area, while Sone Aluko saw an effort saved by Vorm after cutting into the box from the right.

Six minutes into the second half and Tottenham had doubled their lead, with Kane and Eriksen combining again as the former got on the end of the latter's delivery into the box to volley past Bettinelli from close range.

It could have been three for Mauricio Pochettino's side on the hour-mark when Eriksen picked out the unmarked Alli at the far post, but he was unable to keep his effort from flying over the bar.

Kane had a chance for the hat trick in the 70th minute after being played in on goal by Alli, but the striker this time failed to hit the target, looping his shot over the bar, before Kevin McDonald then headed a rare Fulham chance over from a corner down the other end.

But Kane did get his hat trick moments later after receiving a pass from Alli in the 73rd minute, with the 23-year-old approaching goal and slotting coolly into the bottom corner of the net.