Harry Kane is hoping his first Premier League goal will be the springboard he needs for a regular starting place in Tottenham Hotspur’s end-of-season run-in.

The 20-year-old striker bagged the landmark goal as Spurs ran out comfortable 5-1 winners over relegation contenders Sunderland.

Kane met Christian Eriksen’s whipped low cross mid-way through the second half and nudged past Vito Manone to send Tottenham 2-1 up.

The former Spurs academy player was forced off briefly in the second half after a nasty clash of heads but returned to see out the 90 minutes on what was his full-league debut for the club.

He said: “I’ve had a few stitches but it was worth it to get the goal. It’s great – I’ve been waiting a long time for the opportunity but it was great to get the goal and hopefully I can push on and get a few more.

“The Premier League is the top of the top and if you can do it here you can do it anywhere.”

On Spurs seemingly falling out of contention for a top-four place, Kane said: “There is five games left but we have to take each one as it comes and see where we are.”

The former Norwich loanee praised the effect of being around other strikers like Adebayor, and said the players remained focused despite the speculation surrounding boss Tim Sherwood, who has given the young striker plenty of encouragement throughout his career.

He said: “He told me to be patient and that my time would come. You can see by the result tonight that the lads were focused. At the end of the day it is just speculation and we’re taking each day as it comes.

“I’m happy at the club – it’s a great club and it’s great to be here. We have a great crop of young players coming through and it is good to see them getting on the pitch. I’m still only 20 and to get your first Premier League goal at 20 is good.”