Without reading any other reports I’m prepared to wager that the words ‘routine win’ are used in more than most.
‘Routine’ to the casual observer maybe, not to the Spurs regular who has watched us struggle in this fixture in the last couple of seasons. This Norwich City was a different animal to normal though and were easily overcome. A few early over enthusiastic challenges from the away team’s midfield indicated a physical, we have what we hold, approach that never in the end materialised as the constant high pressing of our midfield and full-backs forced the Canaries on to the retreat, never giving them a moment to compose themselves. Given this the result may have seemed inevitable but this was a deserved and polished victory with significant contributions from many parties of which Eriksen, Sigurdsson, Paulinho and Rose were most prominent in my humble opinion.
The game took place in a low-key atmosphere for much of the time. The away fans, perhaps taking their cue from their team, were far less boisterous than we’re used to. Is there a third season syndrome? Is the journey to Liverpool Street now so passé it’s become nothing to shout about? One chorus of On The Ball City is all I counted. They were at their most vocal ironically celebrating the award of a free-kick. Old school comedy indeed. One can only assume it was the result of frustration with the performance of their own side who conjured up just one moment of danger (using the word in its widest sense) in each half.
It’s to Kyle Walker’s credit than Nathan Redmond, a bright star of the Canaries season thus far, was substituted well before the end. Annoyingly Walker seems to be in danger of becoming a target of the boo-boys. I thought he had a good and effective game going forward combining well and at pace with Townsend and at the back he not only forced Norwich to withdraw one of their major threats, he swept up well and won the majority of his encounters with other members of the attack, for instance swatting aside (fairly) van Wolfswinkel at one point when the latter looked like he was set fair to break with the ball. Leave him alone I say.
Elsewhere, Eriksen’s touch and vision were excellent, Paulinho was omnipresent, Soldado enjoyed the support he got from Eriksen and Sigurdsson and the defence were decisive and strong.
Eriksen and Siggy will steal the headlines but it was an all round impressive performance that bodes well. Cardiff next. COYS.
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