Guardiola not surprised by super Kane

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says Harry Kane did not need a match-winning performance to prove his quality after firing Tottenham to a memorable 3-2 victory at the Etihad Stadium.

Kane, who scored twice to remind City exactly what they missed out on when they failed to make a sufficient bid for him in the summer, blew the Premier League title race open with an outstanding performance.

Guardiola openly admitted to trying to sign Kane, but City never got anywhere near a valuation that even got Spurs interested in selling their top man.

The England captain put on a show at the Etihad Stadium, playing his part in Dejan Kulusevski's opener and putting Spurs back in front following Ilkay Gundogan's equaliser with a sublime finish before delivering late drama.

Riyad Mahrez's stoppage-time penalty had looked like stealing City a point but Kane, who also had a goal ruled out by VAR, had other ideas, heading home an even later winner in the fifth minute of time added on.

"It was never an option. Everyone knows we were interested but it was not an option. Forget it, it's in the past," said Guardiola.

"It's not necessary to show the goals he scored tonight to show his quality on the ball, all the UK knows it."

The win hauls Spurs back into the top-four race and boss Antonio Conte referred to it as the "perfect performance".

He believes Kane's return to form - he has scored nine goals in 14 games - is down to the Italian wanting him to become more of a striker again.

"I think to speak about Harry's performance, what can I tell you about him? He was fantastic," he said.

Harry for sure we're talking about a world-class striker. He's working, he's working very well.

"I think that he's improving also on the physical aspect and I'm