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    Premier League News: Jimmy Greaves: World Cup hat-trick hero Hurst, Kane and Southgate pay tribute to the great Tottenham

    Geoff Hurst, Harry Kane and Gareth Southgate were among the many to pay tribute to Jimmy Greaves after the great Tottenham, Chelsea and England passed away at the age of 81.

    World Cup winner Greaves, the top scorer in the history of the English top flight, died in the early hours of Sunday morning.

    The clinical forward has scored a staggering 357 goals in 516 First Division games and finished six seasons as top scorer.

    Greaves is the Spurs top scorer, having found the bottom of the net a staggering 266 times in 379 appearances, and is fourth on England’s top scorers list, with 44 of 57 games, including a record of six hat-tricks.

    He won the World Cup at home in 1966 but suffered an injury and had to watch as his replacement Geoff Hurst scored a hat-trick in a dramatic final win over West Germany at Wembley.

    Hurst tweeted: “One of the great scorers, a great guy with an absolutely brilliant sense of humor, the best. It was a tough time for him, now he can rest in peace.”

    England captain and Spurs forward Kane also paid tribute to Greaves, who went on to become a brilliant handler, ahead of Sunday’s London derby with Chelsea.

    He posted on social media: “RIP Jimmy Greaves. A true legend and one of the great scorers. The thoughts are with his family and friends ”.

    Three Lions boss Southgate said the exploits of Greaves, who also played for Milan and West Ham, will never be forgotten.

    He said in a statement: “Jimmy Greaves was a person admired by all those who love football, regardless of alliances with clubs.

    “I was privileged to meet Jimmy’s family last year at Tottenham Hotspur when the club celebrated its 80th birthday. My thoughts are with them and I know the whole game will mourn his passing.

    “Jimmy definitely deserves inclusion on any list of England’s top players, given his status as one of our top scorers and his part in our 1966 World Cup success.

    “We will pay tribute to his memory in our home game with Hungary at Wembley Stadium next month. Its place in our history will never be forgotten “.

    Spurs said: “We are extremely saddened to learn of the passing of the great Jimmy Greaves. We express our deepest condolences to Jimmy’s family and friends at this sad time. Rest in peace, Jimmy. “

    Cliff Jones, a teammate of Greaves at Tottenham, posted: “Good memories with my friend and teammate @jimmy_greaves. Condolences to Irene and family, I love Cliff, Joan and all the Jones family xx “

    Former Spurs and England midfielder Glenn Hoddle tweeted: “Such sad news this morning about Jimmy’s death. A true legend of the game, love and thoughts to all of Jimmy’s family. RIP”

    Former English striker Alan Shearer also paid tribute to Greaves, publishing: “RIP Legend. Goals, goals, goals. An extraordinary scorer”.

    Shearer’s former England teammate Michael Owen wrote: “It’s sad to hear that the great Jimmy Greaves died earlier today. It was a generation before me, but my dad always said he was the best finisher in the game. Rest in peace Jimmy. “

    Ian Wright was another prolific forward to pay homage, publishing: “The name of the first footballer I’ve ever heard from my teacher. “No Ian! End up like Jimmy Greaves! ” May he rest in peace. “

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