Match Review 2011 - 2012

A game live on Sky, 2 days after Christmas was always going to be a big occasion, add to that a Spurs side that are flying high in the Premier League automatically made this a tough encounter. Harry Redknapp has assembled a squad over the last few seasons that are now serious Premier League title contenders, with in my opinion, probably the best midfield 4 in the League. Paul Lambert, after 2 away draws, was forced into 2 defensive changes with De Laet replacing Naughton and the experienced Drury coming in for the injured Tierney.

The first real chance of the game fell to City, Morison did well to chest down a high ball and from 30 yards out tried a long range effort but it went straight at Friedel. Ruddy had a routine save to make from Van Der Vaart but his shot lacked power. On 5 minutes Bale had an effort well saved but it was a warning of things to come, 8 minutes in Benoit Assou-Ekotto went down after it looked like he got caught by the arm of Holt, no cards were shown. Spurs were in control with Modric and Parker pulling the strings from midfield and trying to get the dangerous Bale and fullback Walker in the game. On 31 minutes Bale should've given Spurs the lead, Bale robbed Martin and made his way into the box, he could've squared it to Adebayor but chose to go it alone and blazed his shot well over, seconds later Spurs had another chance to take the lead, a wonderful 50 yard ball from Van Der Vaart put Adebayor through on goal but the big mans touch let him down and the ball ended up running out of play. Ruddy made a massive save on 34  minutes after Modric put Bale through, the keeper did well to get down to his right. Norwich's only real chance of the half came to Morison but his curling effort didn't really trouble Friedel, I think Surman should have taken the shot from his central position instead of passing it to Morison.

Overall, Norwich battled well but didn't really create anything, you could see the class of the Spurs midfield every time they moved the ball quickly and got into the pockets of space in between our back 4 and Fox, Spurs deserved to be leading.

Spurs started in the same vein in the second half, but it was Norwich who nearly took the lead on 52 minutes, Gallas took down Surman right on the edge of the box, he got up and curled a lovely free kick inches wide of Friedels goal. Spurs broke the dead lock on 55 minutes again with some great play, Van Der Vaart picked out Adebayor with an incisive pass to the big striker, he did well to hold it up and lay off to Bale 7 yards out, his shot beat Ruddy when it looked like he might save it, a deserved lead. De Laet looked like he pulled his calf on the hour and was replaced by Barnett. The game was as good as over when Bale scored on 67 minutes, Morison lost possession too easy on the edge of the Spurs box, Modric broke away and slipped the ball to Bale just over the half way line, Bale drove and was in the Norwich box within seconds, he calmly dinked the ball over Ruddy and was off celebrating. Pilkington and Bennett came on and at least tried to trouble the Spurs full backs, but it was too little too late. 

Overall,a full of confidence Spurs were simply too good for Norwich on the day, the 4/5 advanced players for Spurs ran the show, they've beaten better teams than Norwich in this form, there was no disgrace losing to Spurs but I don't think we played as well as we have done in recent weeks.

Result: Norwich City 0, Tottenham Hotspur 2

Norwich City: Ruddy; De Laet (Barnett, 64), Russell Martin, Whitbread, Drury (Bennett, 75); Fox; Crofts (Pilkington, 75), Surman; Hoolahan; Morison, Holt.

 Subs (not used):Rudd, Bradley Johnson, Wilbraham, Jackson.

Spurs: Freidel, Walker, Assou-Ekotto (Rose, 74), Kaboul, Gallas, Modric, Parker (Livermore, 90), Sandro, Bale, Van Der Vaart (Kranjcar, 85), Adebayor. 

Subs (not used): Gomes, Pavlyuchencko, Bassong, Pienaar.

Referee: Michael Oliver (Northumberland)

Attendance: 26,807

Goals: Spurs: Bale (55, 67)

Bookings: City: Whitbread (69). Spurs: Gallas (52)

Spurs are a very good team but we didn't really create anything all game.

We got completely over ran in the midfield at times it started to look like a practice match in the second half.

Bales second goal was superb but it all started with us having the ball on the edge of their box and lost it too easy and within 10 seconds the game was over.

De Laet's injury looked pretty bad, hopefully Naughton comes straight back in.

Adam Drury made an excellent return to the team dealing with the pace and power of Walker, considering he hasn't really played since last March he slotted in like he's been playing all season, a little reminder to everyone why he's been so good for so many years.

Pilkington and Bennett at least added a bit of a threat when they came on, tried to put the ball in the box.

Only conceded 2 goals, goal difference could be vital come the end of the season.

Adam Drury

Gareth Bale

Match report by Darren Huckerby