Spurs 2-0 Norwich - Eriksen Stars As Sigurdsson Notches Brace
Gylfi Sigurdsson scored both goals but it was Christian Eriksen who stole the show as Spurs overpowered a poor Norwich City at White Hart Lane to give Andre Villas-Boas a tonic after their previous derby defeat. Sigurdsson scored midway through the first half after Eriksen picked out his run, and secured Tottenham's win when he tapped home at the far post from Paulinho's cross shortly after half time. With record signing Erik Lamela among the substitutes, Tottenham gave a debut to Christian Eriksen, replacing the injured Etienne Capoue, and Norwich's Gary Hooper was similarly began on the bench. Eriksen was soon in the action, turning inside the box after 11 minutes and shooting at John Ruddy - the England keeper could only parry the ball before Roberto Soldado was lurking, back-heeled onto the post from four yards out. When a ball played into Soldado on the edge of the area in the 27th minute was laid back to Eriksen, the ex-Ajax star had the vision to pick out the onrushing Sigurdsson, who took a touch to control before finishing into the corner of Ruddy's net. Norwich's one opportunity of the half came in the 35th minute - Nathan Redmond crossed from the right and, after Jan Vertonghen's slip, Rory van Wolfwinkel looked set to score from nine yards but for a terrific block from Danny Rose. Three minutes into the second half Eriksen played in Paulinho on the right wing and the Brazilian's first time cross was tapped in at the far post by Sigurdsson for his second. Tottenham continued to dominate and defended resolutely, no more so when Redmond's shot fell to van Wolfswinkel eight yards out, but as the Dutchman sorted out his feet Rose closed him down and blocked the shot. Eriksen was then replaced by Lewis Holtby - receiving a standing ovation for an outstanding debut - and with ten minutes to go, Spurs gave a home debut for Erik Lamela. Hugo Lloris picked up Tottenham's first booking after a foul on the edge of the area under a high ball, but like much of Norwich's play, it came to nothing. The result takes Tottenham to second in the table, beneath rivals Arsenal and level with Liverpool, who have a game in hand - Norwich drop to thirteenth. Tottenham: Lloris, Walker, Dawson, Vertonghen, Rose, Paulinho, Dembele (Lamela 82), Eriksen (Holtby 70), Sigurdsson (Sandro 78), Townsend, Soldado Subs: Friedel, Naughton, Kaboul, Sandro, Holtby, Lamela, Defoe Booked: Lloris Norwich: Ruddy, Whittaker, Bassong, Turner, Garrido, Johnson (Howson 64), Snodgrass, Fer, Redmond (Pilkington 73), van Wolswinkel, Elmander (Tettey 73) Subs: Bunn, Martin, Olsson, Howson, Pilkington, Tettey, Hooper Booked: Johnson, Garrido, Elmander Photos to follow.