MF looks back at Norwich 0-2 Spurs

Led by Gareth Bale’s athleticism, power and dancing feet Spurs were superb at Carrow Road and despite Norwich’s hoofing, huffing and puffing eventually completed a straightforward victory. The bloke a few rows down from me waving the inflatable Premier League trophy may well end up being disappointed given the tough second half of the season we’ve got (visits to Anfield, Stamford Bridge, Middle Eastlands and the new Library) but this was a performance to make you believe that the impossible might actually be possible.

Norwich were disappointing, those home fans who were late in to the ground will have missed their only shot on target (that I remember), a speculative poke from Morison. The Canaries main tactic appeared to be lumping it towards Morison in the hope that he could get the better of Assou-Ekotto and Kaboul in the air but in fact both were in fine form (especially the latter) and kept him and the invisible Holt at bay with no problem. Wes Hoolahan has been getting consistently good write-ups but he, along with the whole of the rest of the Norwich team to be fair, hardly got a kick as Modric, Van der Vaart, Parker and Sandro completely dominated in midfield in a display of passing and possession that verged on the faultless for long periods.

The only area we lacked in was up front where Bale was Adebayor’s main support. Occasionally we could’ve done with more presence in the box and in front of the artists and artisans in the middle who continually probed for an opening but were often frustrated by the amount of yellow shirted bodies between them and goal or an over hit cross or corner. The best move of the first period started in our own half and ended up after a host of first time flicks and passes when Bale’s side foot attempt from 12 yards was pushed wide by the onrushing keeper.

We continued to press in the second half and were rewarded when Bale scuffed one in after some fine work by Adebayor. The Welshman made it two when we broke with typical pace and after the Norwich defenders followed Adebayor’s run, Bale burst onto Modric’s ball through the middle and finished adroitly past Ruddy.

The posh pies on the menu under the stands hinted at something different but it was all a bit low grade identikit inside with huge flags, Fat Boy Slim and multiple big bird mascots all designed to whip up some sort of event type atmosphere, all very Reebok circa 2007. The Spurs fans sang of mothers, sisters and “let’s all count our fingers”, the home fans replied with familiar accusations that we’d “trashed our own town”.

Those clad in yellow and white scarves and shirts began leaving early when it was obvious that no amount of hustle and bustle was going to get their team back into the game. They shouldn’t have done as it’s unlikely that they’re going to get a chance to witness in person a footballing exhibition like the one we laid before them very often. Bring on Swansea.

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