Tottenham Hotspur Player Ratings vs Norwich City

Gylfi Sigurdsson stole the show but Christian Eriksen was the producer as Tottenham strolled to an easy home win to shrug off any suggestion that the Arsenal result would negatively impact the team in the long run.

The Icelander scored in each half, both from close range, to ensure that Spurs would receive 3 points to lift them up to 2^nd in the table. The Lilywhites have only conceded one goal in their last 750 minutes of competitive football, a record stretching back to Steven Nzonzi’s opener in May.

Player ratings are below.

Hugo Lloris – 6 – Had a quiet game but was altogether solid, although he did experience a minor rush of blood to the head that led to him getting booked for handling outside the area.

Kyle Walker – 7 – Looked like he had managed to put the episodes of previous weeks to bed, as although he wasn’t perfect it was a vastly improved display and proof that he is worthy of a spot at right-back.

Michael Dawson – 7 – Calm and assured at the back although this was not a major test for him; still, pleasing to see him perform well after a shaky display at the Emirates.

Jan Vertonghen – 7 – Cultured, collected and solid – just what we have come to expect from the Belgian.

Danny Rose – 9 – An excellent performance from Mr “On his Premier League debut!!!”, who contributed much offensively as well as two great defensive blocks from Norwich poacher Van Wolfswinkel.

Paulinho – 7 – Another performance demonstrating that the Brazilian is settling well into English football, making tidy passes for the whole 90 and also teasing us a little with occasional indications of his creative and adventurous side.

Mousa Dembele – 8 – A great way to answer his critics (myself included) of recent weeks. Dembele is the type of player whose ability and skill sets are magnified by the presence of a creative force just in front of him, as his passing and ball retention to aid Eriksen is key.

Andros Townsend – 6 – Looked dangerous and troubled the Norwich back 4 on occasion, and although the majority of his shots do ask questions of the opposing keeper and I think he needs to learn where the pass button is in his brain and be more ready to use it.

Christian Eriksen – 9 – We’ve resigned Luka Modric! Well, on today’s showing, it feels like we have. The Dane’s creativity and eagerness to get on the ball was evident and his pass for Gylfi’s first goal was perfectly weighted. So far, looks like a steal at £11m.

Gylfi Sigurdsson – 9 – Two well taken goals and a clear indication that this man has potential and needs to be used. There were suggestions of AVB wanting to loan him out on transfer deadline day; we should be thankful that a deal didn’t go through, as this man of the match performance reveals.

Roberto Soldado – 8 – A £26m player is only a £26m player if the rest of the team allow him to prove that; Eriksen’s and Sigurdsson’s service to the Spaniard allowed him to prove it. A great chest down for the first goal and an admirable work rate throughout.

Substitutes:

Lewis Holtby – 6 – Busy and eager but needs to calm down a touch when on the pitch. Obviously, when he is given just 20 minutes he wants to impress as much as possible, but he should just play his natural game: his chance will (may) come.

Sandro – 6 – Nice to see him edge back towards a full recovery.

Erik Lamela – 7 – Impressive in his short cameo, making a few neat touches and demonstrating an ability to run at