Kane felt England had a point to prove

Harry Kane will inevitably grab most of the headlines tonight after his hat-trick against Albania but the England captain was quick to turn the attention on to his team-mates after what he described as ‘an incredible performance’.

Kane added another Three Lions record to his collection at Wembley Stadium connected by EE tonight by making it 39 competitive goals in 55 games, meaning he surpassed Wayne Rooney’s record for competitive goals for England.

In one of England’s most impressive first-half performances in recent memory, the Three Lions had secured victory inside the opening 45 minutes against Albania and moved even closer to qualification for next year’s FIFA World Cup.

The 1-1 draw with Hungary last month meant England went into tonight’s crucial contest with Albania with a job to do but Kane’s treble and goals from Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson mean Gareth Southgate’s men top the group by three points and have a superior goal difference of six heading into the final qualifier with San Marino on Monday.

With Poland three points behind, England know a draw will be enough in Stadio Olimpico di Serravalle in three days’ time.

Kane said: “It was an incredible performance really. The pressure was on us a little today.

“We needed a result coming off the last game where we didn’t finish how we wanted to. 

“I can’t praise the lads enough, it was a great way to get closer to qualifying.”

Kane continued: “Whenever you pull on an England shirt you want to do yourself proud, the fans, and your family and friends proud. 

“Maybe we had a little bit of a point to prove after the last game (against Hungary). We didn’t perform to the standard we know we can, so everyone was ready for this one.

“So we came out on fire and got the three points. 

“Whenever I get chances I feel I am going to score, and there were quite a few out there today. I could have probably had six on another night. 

“I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing and let’s keep winning.”

Before the match both teams paid respect to former England international Ron Flowers and held a minute’s silence as part of Remembrance Day.

England controlled possession from the off and opened the scoring after nine minutes when Maguire powerfully headed home Reece James’ free-kick.

The visitors did have a glorious chance to equalise when Kyle Walker’s back-pass was intercepted but Jordan Pickford saved well to deny Myrto Uzuni when one-on-one.

And the failure to be clinical was punished four minutes later. James once again was the catalyst as his turn and powerful run resulted in Henderson standing up a cross to the far post, leaving Kane to nod home from close range.

It was the same trio who were then involved for the third goal just before the half-hour mark. James regained possession and after a neat one-two with Kane, Henderson calmly slotted past Thomas Strakosha to make it 3-0.

England were flying and moments after Kane had a long-range effort tipped wide, he made it 4-0. Raheem Sterling intercepted a pass from midfield and Kane beat the offside to gather the winger’s through ball and send an arrowing shot into the far top corner.

The interval could not come quick enough for Albania but there was still time for one more. Ben Chilwell’s corner reached the far post and Kane sent and acrobatic volley past Strakosha. 

It may have taken a deflection but that didn’t stop the ooos from the crowd when the goal was shown back on the big screen. It was the latest impressive strike to add to the England captain’s catalogue.

There were to be no more goals in the second period but the Three Lions managed to control the game and secure a crucial step towards World Cup qualification.

Southgate said: “The first-half was fantastic, as well as we have played for a long time.

“It is always difficult to maintain that when you are so far ahead. We had so much adrenaline in the first half. 

“We were still professional in the second half, just unfortunately we couldn’t get the crowd more goals.”

He continued: “I think we are best when we have an edge and we didn’t produce what we should have against Hungary. 

“We needed to put that right. We had a game tonight to put us on the verge of qualification for a World Cup – simple as that.”

Kane went into this match under scrutiny after one goal in ten Premier League matches so far this season but his manager never doubted his importance to the Three Lions.

Southgate said: “I thought he gave a brilliant centre-forward performance tonight. He held the ball up and brought other people into play. He competed and of course his finishing was outstanding. I thought his all-round game was excellent.

“We’re not done, we need a point (against San Marino) and it would be wrong for my focus to be anywhere but that.”