Gareth Bale bagged a brace to put Norwich to the sword at Carrow Road and strengthen Tottenham’s Premier League title hunt going into the New Year.
Harry Redknapp’s side now sit just seven points behind the two Manchester clubs at the top and also have a game in hand with Bale’s second half double making it two wins in the last three since their defeat against Stoke at the start of December. Spurs certainly took advantage of the fact leaders City dropped points yesterday and will now be gearing up for a title tilt come 2012. Norwich simply couldn’t cope Spurs’ pace and purpose in the final third whilst their front two of Grant Holt and Steve Morison were expertly marshalled by Younes Kaboul and William Gallas. Paul Lambert will be disappointed that his side failed to put up more of a fight but won’t be too hasty in criticising his players after their exploits in the first half of the campaign see them occupy 11th.
Both sides struggled to create any clear cut opportunities in the first half with the away side fashioning the first chance of the game through Bale who hustled Russell Martin off the ball before scooping the all over the bar. That seemed to wake Spurs up as they started to flex their muscles and Bale saw his strike smothered by John Ruddy after he latched onto Luka Modric’s weighted through ball. Controversy then reigned inside Carrow Road as referee Michael Oliver opted not to point to the spot following Morison’s foul on Gallas whilst they waited in a crowded penalty area for Rafael Van Der Vaart’s free kick.
Spurs continued in the same vein after the break and took only 10 minutes to break the deadlock with Bale sending a scuffed effort past Ruddy after being set up by Emmanuel Adebayor who showed superb strength to hold off a host of Norwich defenders before feeding the Welsh winger. Going a goal down prompted the hosts to pushing further up the pitch in search of an equaliser and ultimately leaving themselves susceptible on the break which Bale exploited in style after 67 minutes. Modric was the architect picking out the Welsh flyer who charged from the half way line and through the Canaries defence before nonchalantly dining the ball over Ruddy whilst still at full tilt. It was a goal that typified the pace, power and elegance that has made Bale arguably the best winger in the top flight and sealed a precious three points for Spurs who’s title challenge has now moved into fifth gear.
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