Tottenham Hotspur 2-2 Norwich City: Tottenham Player Ratings
A poor Tottenham had VAR to thank, as it assisted both Spurs goals and also ruled out a contentious Norwich City opener to ensure that we shared the spoils with Norwich.
Tottenham could have moved up to fourth with a win today, instead, they find themselves in 6th giving Chelsea the chance to extend the difference between them to 5 points.
Mario Vrancic gave Norwich the lead after he profited from a Juan Foyth error to smash the ball past Gazzaniga whose positioning should have been better.
An abject performance in the first half was aided by VAR which controversially cancelled out Pukki’s opener to ensure that Spurs went into the break only one goal down.
Mourinho brought on Lucas Moura and Davinson Sanchez at half time and it contributed to a comparatively better performance in the second half.
Eriksen stepped up to drive home an unstoppable freekick after Jamal Lewis was adjudged to have handled the ball just outside the penalty area.
A comedy of errors put Norwich back in front when a botched clearance by Alderweireld bounced off Aurier, into the Spurs net leaving Gazzaniga wrong-footed.
Spurs threw bodies forward and were lucky to be awarded a penalty after Harry Kane made contact with Zimmermann in the Norwich penalty area.
The England captain stepped up and cooly brought his side level on his 200th appearance in the Premier League.
Spurs almost won it late on but Krul saved well from a Lamela scorcher.
A win would have seen us leap log Chelsea into fourth on goal difference, instead, it is 2 lost points which puts more distance between us and the coveted Champions League spot.
Tottenham Player Ratings
Paulo Gazzaniga (5/10)
Did well to deny Marco Stiepermann early on and should have done better for the first goal. Left flat-footed and unable to do nothing about the second.
Serge Aurier (4/10)
Seems to oscillate between the subline and the silly. Was lucky to see his mistake go punished as Teemu Pukki’s goal was ruled out for offside. Spurs looked to be gaining the upper hand before his own goal gave Norwich the lead.
Toby Alderweireld (5/10)
Not his usual assured self and should have closed down Mario Vrancic as he drove onto goal after nicking the ball off Foyth. with the game tied, saw his clearance deflected in by Aurier for Norwich’s second.
Picked up a booking in stoppage time for the foul on Cantwell.
Juan Foyth (3/10)
A poor performance by the Argentine, who just hasn’t made use of the opportunity here. Lost the ball to Vrancic leading to Norwich’s first of the night and was substituted at half time for Davinson Sanchez.
Jan Vertonghen (4/10)
His lack of pace was a drawback as he was severely troubled by Norwich’s direct style. Failed to stop the cross that led to Pukki’s disallowed goal. Was yanked off at half time for Lucas Moura.
Tanguy Ndombele (6/10)
His collision with Eriksen in the first half would have led to a Norwich goal if not for Gazzaniga. Grew more into the game after the break as he drove forward with the ball.
Giovani Lo Celso (4/10)
Another player who did not make most of the opportunity given to him. Largely ineffectual, thought he had grabbed an assist only to see Alli’s goal ruled out.
Christian Eriksen (6.5/10)
The only notable incident of him in the first half has to be his collision with Ndombele what almost proved costly for Spurs. Took a peach of a freekick to draw Spurs level the first time. Unfortunate to get a yellow card late on.
Possibly the best Spurs player of the night as when looked good, so did his team.
Dele Alli (6/10)
An underwhelming effort from the England international who has had an eye for goal. Thought he had given Spurs the lead only to see the goal ruled out for offside.
Ryan Sessegnon (5/10)
Pushed back on his flank as Norwich were relentless in the first half. Moved to Vertonghen’s place at left-back when the experienced Belgian was taken off at halftime.
Harry Kane (6.5/10)
Did well to win the freekick that led to Spurs’ first equalizer and also to win the penalty that led to his team’s second equalizer. Worked hard and was one of Spurs’s better players. Starved for service for the majority of the match.
Had a good chance early on from Alderweireld’s long pass but wasn’t able to make the most of it.
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Substitutes
Davinson Sanchez (5.5/10)
came on for the terrible Foyth and offered more stell to the Tottenham backline. Was partly responsible for Norwich’s second as it was his stepping out that made space for Stiepermann to run into
Lucas Moura (6/10)
His ability to run at defenders caused Norwich problems and it was his pass to Kane in the second half that led to the handball by Lewis, leading to Eriksen’s well-taken goal.
He ended up getting his name in the book for a nudge on Aarons as the young fullback sought to run at pace along the flank.
Erik Lamela (5.5/10)
Was uncharacteristically quiet as he returned from an injury layoff. Rasped Krul’s palms with a stinging shot late on.
