Friday 13 February 2015 13:53, UK
Southampton boss Ronald Koeman and Tottenham striker Harry Kane have been named Barclays Premier League manager and player of the month for January.
Kane scored five goals in January and assisted on one more, opening his month in fantastic style with two goals in their 5-3 win over Chelsea at White Hart Lane.
He went on to score in the defeat by Crystal Palace and then added two more in Spurs' 3-0 win over West Brom, and he has since taken his season's tally to 23 to put himself firmly in the frame for a first England senior call.
"New Year's Day was a great day for me and a great day for Tottenham," Kane said, reflecting on the win over Chelsea. "I got the two goals which was great, and managed to finish it off quite well against West Brom.
"We're still in quite a few competitions, we've got the final of the Capital One Cup ahead of us, and we're doing well in the league as well. Exciting times ahead and February's going to be a big month. Hopefully we can all continue our form.
"The north London derby was a big day for me as well. A special day, probably one I won't forget for the rest of my career. It was an all-round great team performance and to get the two goals was very special.
"Beating teams like Arsenal and Chelsea shows we can be up there and challenge. There is still a long way to go but we are focusing on each game as it comes.
"A lot of people are talking about it (England) but there is still a month or so until he names his squad and I've just got to keep doing what I am doing and keep my feet on the floor. Come the end of March, hopefully I am still doing it and we'll see what happens."
Crystal Palace striker Dwight Gayle, Chelsea forward Oscar, Southampton defender Jose Fonte, Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla and Liverpool midfielder Emre Can were the other nominees.
Koeman's side played only three league matches in January, but won all three including vital victories over chief European rivals Arsenal and Manchester United.
They kicked off 2015 with a 2-0 win over Arsenal, followed that up with a 1-0 win at Old Trafford and, after making it past Ipswich Town in the FA Cup, beat Newcastle 2-1 at St James' Park.
Results since the turn of the month have been a mixed bag for the Saints (one win, one draw, one defeat) but they remain in fourth place and well in the running for Champions League football next season.
"It's a great feeling," said Koeman, who is the first manager to win the award twice this season. "It means a lot and it shows the great month Southampton had in January.
"Of course it was great wins against Arsenal home and Manchester United away, and then a difficult one away against Newcastle.
"That makes the decision that I win this title. The players are doing fantastic. We know it will be a very tough last part of the season. The spirit is in the team, the confidence is in the team and we know our way of playing. I think that's the most important thing we have to do to keep going with what we did before."
He beat off competition from Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers and Stoke City's Mark Hughes to win the award.
