Kane double destroys Norwich
Mauricio Pochettino's side are now only five points behind league leaders Leicester
PHOTO: REUTERS
NORWICH:
Tottenham kept their Premier League title challenge on track as Harry Kane's double inspired a 3-0 win over struggling Norwich on Tuesday.
Mauricio Pochettino's side are only five points behind leaders Leicester after climbing above bitter rivals Arsenal into third place thanks to a dominant display at Carrow Road.
Dele Alli opened the scoring early on and Kane added a first half penalty before wrapping up the points in the final moments.
Tottenham's third successive league win and fifth victory in a row in all competitions added to the growing feeling that Pochettino's vibrant young team are capable of securing not only a top four finish but possibly the club's first English title since 1961.
Leicester are real deal, says Pochettino
The predatory finishing of Kane and the creative class of his England team-mate Alli have combined to drive Tottenham's unexpected title bid and they were the key figures once again.
In contrast to upwardly mobile Tottenham, Norwich have now lost their last five matches in all competitions and are languishing just two points above the relegation zone.
Norwich manager Alex Neil signed nine players during the January transfer window, more than any other Premier League club, as he tried to revitalise a squad which has struggled on their return to the top-flight.
Alli signs new five-year Tottenham deal
Switzerland international Timm Klose, one of Neil's new recruits, made his debut in defence, but Norwich had conceded 14 goals in their previous four games and it took Tottenham just 96 seconds to exploit the hosts' fragile rearguard.
The goal came after Christian Eriksen's corner was only half cleared to Toby Alderweireld on the edge of the penalty area.
Alderweireld's shot was blocked, but Eriksen pounced on the rebound and drilled a low strike that Norwich goalkeeper Declan Rudd could only parry towards Alli, who gleefully tapped in from close-range.
The 19-year-old's seventh club goal of his impressive breakthrough season might have been a more mundane affair than his last -- a sublime contender among the best of the season to date against Crystal Palace in January.
Regardless of the quality, the significance was clear to see as Tottenham, confidence soaring, threatened to blow Norwich away before half-time.
South Korea forward Son Heung-min forced Rudd into a good save when he produced a deft flicked effort from Kane's cross.
Pochettino's men were in complete control and they doubled their lead in the 30th minute when referee Kevin Friend awarded a penalty after Alli was brought down by Norwich defender Sebastien Bassong.
Kane had scored a penalty in Tottenham's 3-0 win over the Canaries on Boxing Day and the England forward was nerveless from the spot again as he stroked home his 17th club goal of the season.
It took a decent stop from Rudd to deny Kane his second goal and moments later Alli headed wide when he should really have scored from Danny Rose's cross.
Alli came off at half-time, reportedly with an illness, and his absence robbed Tottenham of their driving force, with Norwich looking reinvigorated as a result.
Steven Naismith headed narrowly wide for the hosts before Bassong saw his close-range finish ruled out for offside.
But Norwich's pressure soon fizzled out and Kane capped the Spurs stroll when he slotted home in the 90th minute.
Tottenham kept their Premier League title challenge on track as Harry Kane's double inspired a 3-0 win over struggling Norwich on Tuesday.
Mauricio Pochettino's side are only five points behind leaders Leicester after climbing above bitter rivals Arsenal into third place thanks to a dominant display at Carrow Road.
Dele Alli opened the scoring early on and Kane added a first half penalty before wrapping up the points in the final moments.
Tottenham's third successive league win and fifth victory in a row in all competitions added to the growing feeling that Pochettino's vibrant young team are capable of securing not only a top four finish but possibly the club's first English title since 1961.
Leicester are real deal, says Pochettino
The predatory finishing of Kane and the creative class of his England team-mate Alli have combined to drive Tottenham's unexpected title bid and they were the key figures once again.
In contrast to upwardly mobile Tottenham, Norwich have now lost their last five matches in all competitions and are languishing just two points above the relegation zone.
Norwich manager Alex Neil signed nine players during the January transfer window, more than any other Premier League club, as he tried to revitalise a squad which has struggled on their return to the top-flight.
Alli signs new five-year Tottenham deal
Switzerland international Timm Klose, one of Neil's new recruits, made his debut in defence, but Norwich had conceded 14 goals in their previous four games and it took Tottenham just 96 seconds to exploit the hosts' fragile rearguard.
The goal came after Christian Eriksen's corner was only half cleared to Toby Alderweireld on the edge of the penalty area.
Alderweireld's shot was blocked, but Eriksen pounced on the rebound and drilled a low strike that Norwich goalkeeper Declan Rudd could only parry towards Alli, who gleefully tapped in from close-range.
The 19-year-old's seventh club goal of his impressive breakthrough season might have been a more mundane affair than his last -- a sublime contender among the best of the season to date against Crystal Palace in January.
Regardless of the quality, the significance was clear to see as Tottenham, confidence soaring, threatened to blow Norwich away before half-time.
South Korea forward Son Heung-min forced Rudd into a good save when he produced a deft flicked effort from Kane's cross.
Pochettino's men were in complete control and they doubled their lead in the 30th minute when referee Kevin Friend awarded a penalty after Alli was brought down by Norwich defender Sebastien Bassong.
Kane had scored a penalty in Tottenham's 3-0 win over the Canaries on Boxing Day and the England forward was nerveless from the spot again as he stroked home his 17th club goal of the season.
It took a decent stop from Rudd to deny Kane his second goal and moments later Alli headed wide when he should really have scored from Danny Rose's cross.
Alli came off at half-time, reportedly with an illness, and his absence robbed Tottenham of their driving force, with Norwich looking reinvigorated as a result.
Steven Naismith headed narrowly wide for the hosts before Bassong saw his close-range finish ruled out for offside.
But Norwich's pressure soon fizzled out and Kane capped the Spurs stroll when he slotted home in the 90th minute.