Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte has revealed that Harry Kane was replaced because he wanted to rest.

Tottenham Hotspur defeated Crystal Palace 3-0 in the Premier League on Sunday. With Spurs in fifth place collecting 29 points from 16 games.

After the game, Conte was asked by the BBC why the England striker was substituted off the pitch in the 64th minute. Which the Italian coach said was because he wanted the player to rest.

“I always say that we are talking about top strikers and players who are very important to us,” Conte said.

“Today I have a responsibility to give him rest and for him to play 60 minutes for us is important. Kane is a difficult player to make rotation decisions.”

He continued to provide a threat throughout that game and arguably should have come away with more than just a single goal.

He swept in Lucas Moura’s squared pass to open the scoring against Palace. That setting Conte’s men on their way to a comfortable win.

It was a performance that also showcased the difference that playing under Conte has made to Kane’s game, with the striker playing much higher than he did under Mourinho’s management.

And former Spurs star Peter Crouch believes that move from Conte has helped to get the best out of Kane and the rest of the Spurs team.

“It’s definitely been better since Conte’s been in. And I just want to highlight Harry Kane playing higher,” he told BT Sport.

“I think it helps, as good as he is dropping deep. I think if you play Harry Kane high you give Ndombele the chance to play from deep.