It was a dream day for Gylfi Sigurdsson, whose brace was the headline of a day when Tottenham were by far the better team en route to their third win of the year.
The Icelandic winger had been frozen out of the squad for much of last year, and with not all of Andre Villas-Boas’s new signings ready to play just yet, he received the call today.
Spurs started bright, pushing up through the midfield and playing a very high line to keep possession in the attacking half.
The home side had a brilliant chance in the 11th minute, when debutant Christian Eriksen created a wonderful bit of space in the box thanks to a one-two move. He popped a shot from a tough angle, which was well saved though by Norwich keeper John Ruddy.
The chance appeared over, but Ruddy spilled the ball and it fell to Roberto Soldado, who used some impressive improvisation and attempted a back-chip which surprised and beat Ruddy but clipped off the bar.
Norwich spent all their energy just trying to get a touch on the ball, and Spurs kept nearly three-quarters of the possession through the first 15 minutes, pumping the ball into the box repeatedly.
Eriksen again proved creative as Tottenham finally broke through in the 28th minute, as an absolutely brilliant bit of passing in the Norwich box completely shattered the visiting defense. Danny Rose blasted in a cross, which fell to Soldado. The striker laid off to Eriksen whose first touch fell wonderfully to a streaking Sigurdsson who put the ball into the back of the net. The goal is the first from open play this season for Spurs.
They continued to batter the Norwich back line after scoring, but the visitors didn’t give up. Their first promising break saw the ball come to Ricky van Wolfswinkel, whose shot would have seriously tested Hugo Lloris but Danny Rose made a vital interception to turn it behind.
Norwich started the second half with a little more energy, but immediately Sigurdsson picked up his second just four minutes after the break. Spurs continued to flood the box, and Paulinho’s cross evaded the defense and found Sigurdsson’s feet for an easy close-range finish. Gylfi looked for his hat-trick but he was denied from long range in the 61st minute by a strong Ruddy save.
The Canaries played into the game a bit more in the second half, and finally found an opening when Lloris came out to punch a corner, and the ball ended up falling to van Wolfswinkel who took a few too many touches before firing on net and the chance was blocked.
That was all Norwich would see, as White Hart Lane saw their home side slide to victory and continue their wonderful start to the season.
Tottenham – Lloris; Walker, Dawson, Vertonghen, Rose; Dembele (Lamela, 83′), Paulinho; Townsend, Sigurdsson (Sandro, 78′), Eriksen (Holtby, 71′); Soldado.
Norwich – Ruddy; Whittaker, Bassong, Turner, Garrido; Snodgrass, Fer, Johnson (Howson, 64′), Redmond (Pilkington, 74′), Elmander (Tettey, 74′); van Wolfswinkel.
