Tottenham Hotspur saw off Norwich City on Tuesday evening, putting in an impressive performance to win 3-0 at Carrow Road.
On top of extending their highly impressive unbeaten run, stretching back to an opening day defeat at Manchester United, the three points saw Tottenham move ahead of North London rivals Arsenal in the Premier League table and into third place.
Having rested a number of regular starters in the FA Cup against Colchester United on Saturday, Mauricio Pochettino recalled top goal scorer Harry Kane to his starting line up against Alex Neil’s Norwich side.
With the Canaries struggling for form in recent weeks, Tottenham were quick to capitalise on any nerves as Dele Alli gave Spurs a lead in just the second minute, converting a rebound after Declan Rudd had impressively saved a Christian Eriksen strike.
Despite dominating for large parts of the first half, the side from White Hart Lane had to wait for a 30th minute penalty to add to their early lead. Alli was once again involved, with the England international being brought down by former Tottenham defender Sébastien Bassong.
Kane cooly converted, sending Rudd the wrong way, to send the away side in with a comfortable lead at the break.
Norwich came out with more motivation after the break, making a number of attacking substitutions and seeing two strikes ruled out for offside, but the contest was eventually resolved with just minutes remaining.
Kane latched onto an Eriksen interception to add to his personal tally for the season against a side he once played five matches on loan for. The three points will be all the more vital with Arsenal dropping points at home to Southampton, meaning Pochettino’s men are up to third on goal difference.
Pochettino pleased with win
Pochettino was keen to reflect on a job well done, with his young side looking like cutting the home side open at will throughout the match. The Argentine expressed his delight at the “maturity” shown as his side made the Norwich players pay for any mistake early on.
Discussing a more difficult, and even, second 45 minutes, the former Southampton boss thought the resolute performance was “very pleasing” as his defence built on the best goals against record in the division.
Having kept a clean sheet, without regular centre back Jan Vertonghen, Pochettino singled out Premier League debutant Kevin Wimmer after the Austrian international put in “a very good performance” alongside the ever impressive Toby Alderweireld.
Alderewireld hails first half performance
Alderweireld, the Belgian international thought his teammates were “brilliant” in the opening half, and were equally impressive in showing their “character” late on.
That was a view echoed by Alli, replaced at half time after feeling unwell, who “knew they [Norwich] wouldn’t make it easier for us [Tottenham]” but was impressed with how his side “killed it off in the end”.
Having hit the post twice throughout the 90 minutes, Kane was relieved to finally add to his tally from open play but was left ruing missed chances which could have seen him leave with the match ball. Ultimately, however, the England international was “delighted to get the 3rd and finish it off.”
Slowly moving up the table
Ahead of the weekend’s fixture at home to Watford, Tottenham go into the contest full of confidence fresh from fine victories on the road in recent weeks.
Pochettino will be hoping his team can replicate those performances, and results, at White Hart Lane before a trip to fellow title chasing contenders Manchester City.