Premier League: 10 talking points from the weekend’s action

In scoring the 200th and 201st league goals of his career, Harry Kane reminded us he is not just one of the best centre-forwards of his era but one of the best to ever play in England – and he’s still getting better. Though he is a terrific poacher, what makes Kane extra special is the touch, intelligence and composure that mean he is one of the most deadly players of all time from 15-22 yards – a skill illustrated perfectly in his first goal at the City Ground. His first touch opened up the picture, and his confidence to take the shot early, using the defender as a screen, meant that the keeper would be flat-footed. It was not the most emphatic strike – Kane called it a “scruffy finish” – but his swing was so smooth and true, it followed the line he planned for it anyway. Daniel Harris

Match report: Nottingham Forest 0-2 Tottenham

A fixture list that next features the league leaders, Arsenal, and defending champions Manchester City is a severe test of Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa regime. Judging by the groans from the Holte End and the volume of boos as the manager made his way down the tunnel at full-time, a significant proportion of Villa fans have already made their mind made up. Gerrard issued a mea culpa, though veered dangerously into corporate-speak. “In terms of moving forward we have got a choice. We either feel sorry for ourselves and it continues, or we roll our sleeves up.” Gerrard is a regular proponent of such pseudo-motivational gabble. His team, lacking in creativity and relying too much on the magic in Philippe Coutinho’s boots, too often mirror such bland platitudes. The concept, floated on Gerrard’s appointment last winter, that Villa are a grand old club on their way back up is in danger of being