Spurs Winners and Losers from Tottenham vs. Norwich City
If Tottenham Hotspur are to realise their UEFA Champions League ambitions this season, they must beat the weaker sides in the division when playing at home.
Failure to dispatch relegation candidates Newcastle in their previous match at White Hart Lane suggested a slide back to the days when the club was fairly accused of having a soft underbelly.
There was little evidence of that softness against Norwich City.
Instead, Spurs raced out to a lead and did enough to take the three points and build a comfortable break between them in fourth place and the teams chasing behind.
On a day that saw Spurs' rivals across the league drop points, victory here was of utmost importance.
They are now just six points off the top of a congested Premier League table as we approach the halfway point of the season.
Winner: Harry Kane
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A first-half brace is an excellent way to start a match.
Kane grabbed his 10th and 11th league goals of the season as Spurs took total control of this match in the opening period.
The first was a penalty that he won with his deceptively quick feet. Well-dispatched, it brought him into double figures for the campaign in just his 18th game.
The second came after good build-up play from Dele Alli but was something of a typical Kane goal.
Taking a small touch to make space, Kane ripped off his shot from an acute angle but gave goalkeeper Declan Rudd no chance.
Kane's precision from close range is part of what makes him such an effective goalscorer.
In truth, Kane could be a little disappointed with his performance, as he could easily have had four or five goals on the day.
Loser: Eric Dier
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On a day when Tottenham dominated their opposition, there was little call for Eric Dier's special brand of football.
Instead, he was called upon to play a more creative role than usual. This is not his forte, and several attempted quick vertical passes were intercepted.
One even lead to a rare Norwich chance coming after a quick break.
Dier also picked up an unnecessary yellow card after a poor challenge midway through the second half.
Having already missed one match due to yellow-card accumulation, Dier must avoid these sorts of bookings.
Winner: Dele Alli
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In recent weeks, there had been some evidence that Dele Alli was feeling the effects of a busy first season in the top flight.
While still playing well, the spark had been missing.
He was excellent against Norwich.
Involved in the lead-up to Kane's penalty and directly assisting the striker's second goal, Alli was among the finest players on the pitch.
At his best, the energy that Alli brings can make it seem like Spurs have a 12th player on the pitch.
He presses hard but is ready to make immediate use of possession when it comes his way.
It is no coincidence that Spurs won well with Alli hitting his straps.
The ovation that greeted his early withdrawal was thoroughly justified.
Loser: Danny Rose
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Watching this match from the bench, Danny Rose will have been concerned.
His replacement in the team, Ben Davies, gave an assured defensive performance as Tottenham eked out another clean sheet.
For the second consecutive match, Spurs kept their opposition largely quiet and won comfortably.
Rose has often been preferred due to the superior quality of his attacking contribution, but there is something to be said for the solidity of Spurs' back line with Davies in place.
This level of competition for places is a good problem for Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino, and the Argentinian is likely to stick with the winning formula.
For perhaps the first time since his arrival from Swansea in 2014, Davies may be the first-choice full-back.
Winner: Tom Carroll
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Tom Carroll served his manager a beautiful reminder of his quality in his second-half cameo.
He scored Spurs' third with fizzing shot from distance that seemed destined for the net from the moment he struck it.
Tottenham's little general has been waiting patiently for a chance to break into Tottenham's packed midfield, but he is making the most of it.
He scored a very different but equally exciting goal against Monaco earlier in the month but this strike, on Boxing Day was even more memorable.
Carroll brings a different quality to Spurs' midfield but will need more such eye-catching displays if he is to win a regular starting role.
