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Mbappé's Rollercoaster Season 🎢
Tim Ireland/Associated Press

Norwich vs. Tottenham: Winners and Losers from Premier League

Sam RookeFeb 2, 2016

In what is becoming a happily repetitive theme this season, Tottenham have passed another test. 

A trip to Carrow Road is not the most imposing of away days, but Spurs have faltered there in the past. 

There was no time for "Spursiness" on this occasion as Dele Alli gave them an almost instantaneous lead. 

Harry Kane's brace was only a fair return for an excellent performance, and Christian Eriksen continues his welcome return to form.

Norwich were very poor, seemingly resigned to their fate, and only really put up serious opposition for a short second-half spell when the game was probably already beyond them.

The Canaries are in a relegation fight and matches against top-four sides are not the ones they need to win, but the listlessness of this defeat indicates deeper issues that could see them drop back down to the Championship.

Winner: Dele Alli

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Dele Alli was Tottenham's star man last month, and now he's made the perfect start to February. 

Despite carrying an illness into the match that restricted him to just 45 minutes at Carrow Road, Alli gave a fantastic performance. 

He showed desire and intelligence to open the scoring for Spurs, racing in to tuck away Harry Kane's shot. 

His backheel in the lead-up to the penalty was a delight and he again raced into the box, this time brought down to give Kane his chance from the spot. 

Alli had the flair and the vital opening goal but also showed off his evolving positional sense. 

As Christian Eriksen drifted around midfield, Alli constantly filled spaces to keep Norwich honest. 

Alli continues to grow in value to Mauricio Pochettino's team, and the Argentinian will be hoping he can stay fit as the season races to its conclusion.

Loser: Alex Neil

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Norwich City won promotion to the Premier League last season by playing an energetic, positive style. 

Their buccaneering approach has sometimes been evident this season, too, but it was conspicuous by its absence as Tottenham dominated proceedings at Carrow Road. 

Whether the 5-4 defeat to Liverpool chastened Neil or Spurs were simply too quick out of the blocks, Norwich were passengers through much of this match. 

Norwich are certainly relegation contenders this season, and this meek performance cannot become the standard. 

Neil must revitalise his side before it is too late.

Winner: Harry Kane

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Harry Kane is Tottenham's most important outfield player. 

If he performs, Spurs invariably do well. 

In this fixture, he was a man possessed. 

In the Norwich goal, Declan Rudd could only deflect his fierce early shot into the path of Dele Alli and could do nothing about his well-placed penalty 28 minutes later. 

His all-round performance probably deserved another goal, but his late shot cannoned back off the inside of the post. 

He finally got that second with a 90th-minute strike. 

Christian Eriksen cleverly nabbed possession and played Kane in. 

With time to spare, Tottenham's golden boy curled a perfect left-footed shot past Rudd for his 50th Premier League goal.

Clever turns, outside-of-the-boot passes and constantly seeking to take players on, Kane showed off his flair as much as his talent for hard work in this fixture. 

Perhaps motivated by the fact that his loan spell at Carrow Road in 2012 was unsuccessful, Kane was incredibly determined in this match and it showed.

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Loser: Sebastien Bassong

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Sebastien Bassong spent three solid years at Tottenham but was eventually deemed surplus to requirements. 

His performance for Norwich in this defeat shows why. 

Bassong reacted far too slowly to Harry Kane's parried shot in the opening minutes and allowed Dele Alli a huge opportunity that the young England man greedily snapped up. 

The Cameroonian consistently lost his man at set pieces and was lucky not to be punished more than he was. 

To compound his misery, Bassong was (rightly) denied a tap-in for offside.

Winner: Steven Naismith

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Norwich's most important January signing, Steven Naismith, was a lone shining light in a poor Norwich performance. 

The Scottish forward was involved in every positive movement for the home side. 

A tremendously underrated player in his time at Everton, Naismith is precisely the player they need to keep them up. 

Against Spurs, he was strong enough to hold up the ball and play in his team-mates and clever enough to drive into dangerous areas. 

He dropped off from his position up front to create difficulties for the normally dominant Eric Dier and did well with the scraps of possession he was fed by his midfield.

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