Tottenham’s Harry Kane is a “machine” who can be “world number one”, believes team-mate Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
It was the England captain’s first game since scoring a penalty and missing another in the 2-1 quarter-final defeat against France.
“Underestimating his strength is a big mistake,” said Hojbjerg, who equalized.
“He’s a machine. He has the quality to be world number one.
“The biggest mistake you can make in football is doubting Harry Kane.”
Kane is England’s top scorer with 53 goals in 80 international appearances, but in Qatar earlier this month he missed a penalty that would have given him the absolute advantage and potentially extended the game against France.
After the misfire, Kane, 29, wrote on social media: “It comes down to a small detail for which I take responsibility.
“There’s no hiding it, it hurts and it will take time to recover from it, but it’s part of the sport.
“Now it’s about using the experience to be mentally and physically stronger for the next challenge.”
Against Brentford, Spurs found themselves trailing 2-0 after goals from Vitaly Janelt and Ivan Toney before Kane pulled one back with a powerful header, Hojbjerg equalizing six minutes later.
Part of the Brentford fans chanted ‘you let your country down’ to Kane and Spurs boss Antonio Conte was not surprised to see his striker score on Monday.
“About Harry, I have no doubts about his mentality,” Conte said. “He faces a strange situation. He had a very good World Cup and the team played until the quarter-finals, then he missed a decisive penalty.
“If you’re mentally strong you move on and Harry did that. I think the fans were scared because he’s playing for Tottenham, not what happened with England.”
Kane has now scored 13 Premier League goals this season and has 196 in the competition overall, with only Alan Shearer (260) and Wayne Rooney (208) exceeding 200.
The header against Brentford meant Kane scored against all 32 teams he played against in the top flight.
“You wanted Harry Kane on the scoresheet because there were a few demons he wanted to clear up,” former England striker Carlton Cole added on Final Score.
Frank praises ‘special’ Toney
Toney, 26, was appearing in his first game since being charged by the Football Association with 262 alleged betting violations. He has until January 4 to respond to the charges.
His goal was his 11th in the Premier League this season to put him third in the goalscoring charts, behind only Manchester City’s Erling Haaland on 18 and Kane on 13.
“I would like to know how he does it because then I would bottle it and sell it for a lot of money,” said Brentford boss Thomas Frank de Toney.
“He’s very, very special, he’s got an incredible character and mentality and the ability to focus on the moment. His performance today, wow.
“He has a natural inner drive to constantly push himself and those around him. He’s constantly a threat, he’s special.”
