Tottenham Hotspur 1(2) – 1(3) Norwich City: Tottenham Player Ratings
Tottenham Hotspur’s season went from bad to worse as we squandered a 1-0 lead to crash out of the FA Cup at home to Norwich City. The competition represented our best chance of silverware and now it looks like we will have to settle for the top four at best.
Jan Verthonghen returned to captain the side and scored in the first half to give his side a 1-0 lead. Norwich came out threatening after the break and Josip Drmic bundled in a Michel Vorm fumble to even the scores.
Serge Aurier seemed like he won it late on, only to see Ben Godfrey clear his attempt off the line.
The game went into extra time and Jose Mourinho decided to bring in Troy Parrott to loud cheers. Gedson Fernandes had the best chance in added time but could only blaze his shot over after fine work by Giovani Lo Celso.
Vorm saved Kenny Mclean’s penalty to give Spurs an immediate advantage in the shootout. Erik Lamela contrived to miss while Tim Krul saved tame efforts from Troy Parrott and Gedson Fernandes to send Norwich fans into the quarter-finals.
Tottenham will now play Burnley in the Premier League next before travelling to Leipzig with hopes of overturning a 1-0 deficit.
Tottenham Hotspur Player Ratings
Michel Vorm (5/10)
A mixed bag for the Dutch keeper. Saved well from Todd Cantwell and Lukas Rupp in normal time. Almost fumbled in another shit by Rupp but was thankful to see the shot drop wide of the goal. Make a hash of Kenny McLean’s shot from distance only for Josip Drmic to force home the leveller.
Got off to a good start in the penalty shootout as he saved McLean’s striker. The hope was shortlived as Spurs were eventually left to rue his mistake in normal time.
Serge Aurier(6/10)
He defended well and played a more withdrawn role than usual. Made a few good runs behind the Norwich defence and almost scored a late winner, only for Ben Godfrey to clear off the line.
Davinson Sanchez (6.5/10)
Solid in the air and gave it his best. Was always at hand to make a block or a tackle. Unfortunately, still gets caught out of position at times.
Eric Dier (7.5/10)
The Englishman made a number of crucial interceptions and was aware of the Norwich threat and scored his penalty with aplomb.
Involved in a tussle with a fan after the match.
Jan Vertonghen (7.5/10)
Looked to have turned back time with a performance that the defender was used to giving in a white shirt. Scored at the back post to give Tottenham the lead in the first half and did his well to rouse the crowd after Norwich equalized. Was reliable in the defence and put in a captain’s performance.
Oliver Skipp(6.5/10)
A solid outing for the youngster. He won the tackle that led to Tottenham’s goal and was always available for a pass. Was intelligent in his decision-making alongside Harry Winks.
Harry Winks (5/10)
Skipp’s presence allowed the midfielder to play higher up the pitch than usual. He was sloppy in position and seemed to lack rhythm. A forgetful performance by the midfielder who is capable of much better.
Lucas Moura (6/10)
Gave it his all as usual. Could have passed to Alli with an empty net waiting, but chose to shoot instead and forced a good save off Krul. He will rue the mistake as it could have killed the game by doubling Spurs’ lead.
Appeared to be injured and was taken off for Lamela. Hopefully, it’s just a precaution and he will be available at the weekend.
Giovani Lo Celso (7/10)
Tested Krul early on before providing the cross that led to Vertonghen’s goal. An excellent performance by the midfielder who flattered to impress against Chelsea and Wolves.
He tested Krul once again in extra time and set up Gedson Fernandes for a shot that he blazed over. Slipped as he took his penalty, thankfully for him, it still went in.
Steven Bergwijn (5/10)
Not one to take home for the flying Dutchman. Almost put in Moura through on goal early on and did not do anything else worthy of mention for the rest of the game. Taken off before the hour mark in one of his worst performances in a Spurs’ jersey.
Dele Alli (5/10)
Worked hard and gave it his all. Lacked the quality in the final third to make a difference. Was taken off for Parrott in extra time as he seemed to tire.
Substitutes
Gedson Fernandes (5.5/10)
Immediately tested Krul after coming on and added zeal and vigour to the Tottenham midfield. Was guilty of spurning a good chance in extra time before going on to miss the decisive penalty in the shootout.
Erik Lamela (4/10)
A birthday to forget for the 28-year-old. I came on in the second half and made a few proactive runs without any end product. A poor penalty saw him miss the target as the ball bounced off the crossbar.
More Tottenham Hotspur News
- Mourinho does not expect wholesale summer changes at Tottenham Hotspur
- Jose Mourinho provides Tottenham Hotspur injury update
- Troy Parrott should be given opportunities by Jose Mourinho
Tanguy Ndombele (5/10)
Showed fight and a willingness to make things happen. Just couldn’t match the intent with any worthwhile action.
Troy Parrott (4/10)
Greeted by a huge roar as he came on for Dele Alli in the fifth minute of added time. Didn’t have much joy from open play and will rue his penalty miss during the shootout.
