Tottenham vs Norwich match report: Harry Kane double inspires Spurs to keep pace with Premier League leading pack
Tottenham Hotspur 3 Norwich City 0
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.After their second-half collapse against Newcastle last time out, this time Tottenham went for the throat of a struggling side.
How costly those dropped points will prove remain to be seen. Mauricio Pochettino, the Spurs manager, claims his side can win the title, and here they served up a reminder that they are well and truly in the mix. Harry Kane scored twice in the first-half before substitute Tom Carroll completed the win.
It could, and should, have been more, but the Spurs manager said: “Now we can say it was accident against Newcastle. It’s difficult to show consistency in the Premier League.”
There was the odd scare early on. Norwich, who won their last game at Manchester United, saw Vadis Odjida-Ofoe denied by Hugo Lloris before Cameron Jerome headed over Robbie Brady’s corner. But once Kane had opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 26th minute, there was only going to be one winner.
Kane won the penalty himself, when he collected Deli Alli’s pass and waited for the on-rushing Declan Rudd to haul him down.
Toby Alderweireld should have scored Spurs’ second before Kane showed him just how to do it. Alli linked up once again, and Kane dispatched a low shot into the bottom corner from the angle in the 42nd minute.
It threatened to be a procession as the excellent Alli and Erik Lamela were thwarted by Norwich goalkeeper Declan Rudd. It was a measure how comfortable this afternoon was turning out as Carroll added the gloss with 10 minutes remaining with a fine drive from 25 yards out.
Alex Neil, the Norwich manager, said: “I still think that with the group we’ve got, we are capable of picking up more points than we have so far. The Villa game on Monday will be crucial.”
Tottenham: (4-2-3-1) Lloris; Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies; Alli (Son, 79), Dier, Eriksen (Carroll, 72), Dembele (Chadli, 86), Lamela; Kane.
Norwich: (4-5-1) Rudd; Martin, Bassong, Bennett, Olsson, Redmond, Mulumbu (Howson, 73), Tettey, Odjidja-Ofoe (Dorrans, 73), Brady (Mbokani, 79); Jerome.
Referee: Mike Jones.
Man of the match: Kane (Spurs)
Match Rating: 6/10
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments