Football
James Capps 4y

Eriksen, Kane both 6/10 in engineering Spurs' comeback at Norwich

Tottenham Hotspur ended the calendar year with a 2-2 Premier League draw with Norwich City at Carrow Road on Saturday.

The hosts went into half-time 1-0 up thanks to a tidy finish from Mario Vrancic. Christian Eriksen curled home a free kick early in the second half to draw Spurs level, and after a calamitous own goal from Serge Aurier put Norwich back in front, Harry Kane won and converted an 82nd-minute penalty to ensure the points were shared.

Positives

You can't draw too many positives after failing to win a game that would've been identified as very winnable, but the resilience to fight back after twice falling behind certainly deserves a nod.

Negatives

In the absence of Moussa Sissoko and Harry Winks, Spurs were particularly poor when out of possession, and the lack of a destructive midfielder in the mould of Sissoko gave Norwich the encouragement they needed to impose their slick passing game through the heart of midfield. And at the risk of repetition, the manner in which Spurs are conceding goals is bordering on laughable.

Manager rating out of 10

6 -- Jose Mourinho was proactive at the interval and changed the Spurs shape to provide more support forKane, and the north Londoners were a much greater threat in the second half as a result, but work on the training pitch to improve the dodgy defence isn't working.

Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best, players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)

GK Paulo Gazzaniga, 6 -- The keeper made a good save to deny Marco Stiepermann inside the opening 10 minutes, but could do nothing about Vrancic's tidy opener in the 18th minute, and was wrong-footed by Aurier's own goal.

DF Serge Aurier, 5 -- The Ivorian was unable to have as much influence in the final third than in recent weeks, and couldn't sort out his feet in time to prevent the ball bouncing off him and into his own net to put Norwich 2-1 up.

DF Toby Alderweireld, 6 -- Provided a brilliant long ball over the top of the Norwich defence to release Kane for an early Spurs chance, but his scruffy clearance cannoned into Aurier to put Norwich back into the lead in the second half. Booked in injury time for a late tackle.

DF Juan Foyth, 5 -- Started the game in uncertain fashion as he looked to impose himself physically on the Norwich forward line, and a poor touch inside his defensive third gifted possession to the Canaries on the way to Vrancic's opener. Replaced at half-time by Davinson Sanchez.

DF Jan Vertonghen, 5 -- The Belgian can count himself extremely fortunate that VAR denied Norwich a goal that came after the centre-half disastrously misread a long looping ball into Tottenham territory. Hooked at half-time, and replaced by Lucas Moura.

DF Ryan Sessegnon, 6 -- Would probably have found himself on the score sheet had it not been for a superb block from Norwich full-back Max Aarons, and while we didn't see a huge deal from the former Fulham man going forward, Norwich didn't have much joy down his defensive side.

MF Giovani Lo Celso, 6 -- It was an anonymous first half from the Argentine, but a lovely lobbed through ball for a disallowed Dele Alli goal in the second half was one of a handful of neat touches that suggest the loanee has something to offer this Spurs side. Taken off for Erik Lamela for the final 16 minutes.

MF Tanguy Ndombele, 5 -- The summer signing from Lyon really needs to be starting further up the pitch to have any influence. In his deep-lying role he defended poorly for Norwich's opening goal, and doesn't have the defensive instincts to effectively protect his backline.

MF Christian Eriksen, 6 -- Another Spurs midfielder who doesn't look comfortable in the heat of battle in the heart of the pitch, but provided a moment of real class as his free kick flew past Tim Krul in the Norwich goal and gave his side a pathway back into the game. Unfortunate to be booked for a coming together with Norwich sub Kenny McLean late on.

FW Dele Alli, 5 -- Horribly blazed a huge opportunity over the bar from just inside the penalty after just 11 minutes, and was unable to make the most of a brilliant Eriksen through ball when his shot was blocked early in the second half.

FW Harry Kane, 6 -- Forced an excellent save from Krul from 12 yards out after getting in behind the Norwich backline, but wasn't to be denied from the penalty spot to make the score 2-2.

Substitutes

DF Davinson Sanchez, 6 -- Gave the Spurs defence a touch more solidity at the back.

FW Lucas Moura, 6 -- A couple of bursting runs, but unable to create any meaningful opportunities, and booked for barging Aarons.

MF Erik Lamela, N/R -- Struck a swerving effort from distance that Krul was forced to tip over.

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