Statement Win for Mauricio Pochettino's Premier League Title-Chasing Tottenham

It took just 96 seconds for Dele Alli to hand Tottenham Hotspur the advantage against Norwich City, and they steadfastly refused to relinquish it in a 3-0 win—the display of a team pulsating with self-belief and confidence. 

Spurs brushed aside the relegation-battling Canaries with ease.

In the second minute, Christian Eriksen fired a stinging drive at Declan Rudd who could only parry the shot into the path of Alli. The teenage sensation tucked it away for his seventh Premier League goal in just 22 appearances. 

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7 - Dele Alli has now scored as many career Premier League goals as Jack Wilshere. Rivals.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 2, 2016"

OptaJoe's tweet struck a nerve on Twitter and was retweeted over 1,600 times. Amusing as it is to all but Arsenal supporters, there is value in this observation. 

Since bursting onto the scene during a loan spell at Bolton Wanderers in 2010, Wilshere has—when fit—been lauded for his ability to fill multiple midfield positions for Arsenal and England. However flexible he is, he remains a more limited player than Alli. 

Tottenham's teenager is singularly versatile, spending time as a No. 10, a centre-forward and a wide midfielder in just 45 minutes against Norwich. His ability to fill the role needed by his team makes him hugely valuable. 

Like former England and Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard, the 19-year-old has the happy knack of appearing just when he is needed. 

Tony Marshall/Getty Images

Eriksen was hugely influential last season but has struggled to find that form in this campaign. He appears to be returning to his best. 

At Carrow Road, Eriksen roved around Spurs' midfield organising and driving the play forward. It is Alli's ability and willingness to fill the space left by the Denmark international's movement that makes this possible. 

Norwich were stunned by Tottenham's quick start and were scarcely given any kind of chance to edge their way back into the game. 

Kevin Wimmer, in his first match of a likely long spell as the injured Jan Vertonghen's replacement, was aggressive and smart. Either side of the Austrian, Toby Alderweireld and Danny Rose made his job easier with assured performances. 

Steven Naismith did give Eric Dier some trouble when he was able to drop into the space between Spurs' defensive midfielder and their back line but, without any real support, he was largely kept quiet. 

At either end of the pitch, Harry Kane and Hugo Lloris continue to be Tottenham's two most important players. Both shone in this victory, the forward capped off an outstanding display with a brace, while the goalkeeper stood tall when Norwich briefly threatened to get back into the match. 

Spurs are contenders in the Premier League title race. That was an inescapable fact even before Alli struck at Carrow Road, but the polished nature of this performance indicates that they have the quality to fight all the way to the end of the campaign. 

If Tottenham don't end their 55-year title drought in May, this season will still be far from a failure, but missing out from here will carry a pang of disappointment. 

The teams above them, Manchester City and Leicester City, are beatable, while Spurs have both the best defence and highest goal difference in the division. 

Only Manuel Pellegrini's side, with 13, have more different league goalscorers than Tottenham's 12, which undermines the notion of total reliance on Kane's goals. 

Stephen Pond/Getty Images

Barring a Spurs collapse, Arsenal are the only team below them that should have hopes of beating them to the title. 

The difficulty for Tottenham is that, unlike Arsenal and Manchester City, they have no experience of a title fight. The Etihad Stadium side have won two league titles in recent years, while Arsenal have also been sporadically involved. 

Leicester are even less experienced than Spurs, but they have the advantages of low expectations and a relatively bare fixture list. 

The loss of Vertonghen, though not an issue against Norwich, will likely prove costly, while the looming return of the Europa League and ongoing FA Cup campaign will demand attention. 

Tottenham and their supporters must not lose sight of the fact that Champions League qualification would represent a huge achievement for a young team that is only beginning to express itself. 

Spurs have already enjoyed a great season. They look likely to return to Europe's top table next season, and they have a fantastic young core clearly imbued with a spirit that cannot be bought. 

Pochettino's project was not expected to bear fruit so soon, but the arrival of Pep Guardiola at Manchester City and the likely resurgence of Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp mean that the Argentinian may not get a better chance to deliver the title to White Hart Lane.