Son goal denies Canaries as Tottenham seal important home win

Goals from Heung-Min Son and Dele Alli cancelled out a Teemu Pukki penalty as Tottenham triumphed over Norwich to seal a crucial win in their hunt for European football.

With Arsenal and Chelsea drawing yesterday, the fixture against Norwich represented an ideal chance to regain some ground on the teams above them.

The home side started the brighter although the returning Hugo Lloris was caught slightly on his heels when passing out from the back, Tottenham’s captain featuring for the first time since injury at Brighton in October.

Erik Lamela had Tottenham’s first chance of the night as Serge Aurier’s cross found the on-rushing Argentine, whose volley into the ground was clawed away by Tim Krul.

Daniel Farke’s Norwich responded with retained possession to get them up the field, eventually resulting in Teemu Pukki poking the ball just wide after a one-two with Todd Cantwell.

Despite the Lilywhites enjoying possession around the Norwich box, Jose Mourinho’s men struggled to convert their final third dominance into credible chances, a possible reason why they remained without a goal in 2020 before the match.

Norwich’s top two goalscorers, Pukki and Cantwell, combined again for the Canaries next chance, the latter curling an effort over the bar from distance.

Heung-Min Son flashed a good opportunity wide when rolled through by Lucas Moura and Pukki fired wide at the other end as both teams had chances to net the opener.

It was to be Tottenham however to finally open their 2020 account. A Giovani Lo Celso tackle to recover the ball ensured Spurs’ wave of attacks continued on the Norwich defence before a drilled cross from Aurier was diverted home smartly by Dele Alli.

A rabona cross by Lamela seeking Lucas Moura almost had the crowd on their feet but his ball just eluded the Brazilian as the first half action came to a close.

The usual VAR groans rang around another Premier League stadium after the restart as a potential check on Cantwell was eventually waved away before a Toby Alderweireld pass found Son only for the South Korean to fire over.

Harry Winks was an unfortunate casualty on 55 minutes with a suspected ankle injury, Tottenham’s injury problems potentially worsening with the loss of the Englishman.

Norwich asserted themselves on the fixture as they looked for the equalising goal, the ever-willing Pukki pressuring the Tottenham defence at every opportunity.

Farke’s men were persistent in their approach and they earned their reward when the impressive Max Aarons earned a penalty for the away side after a challenge from Ryan Sessegnon.

‘Another’ lengthy VAR stoppage duly arrived as the contact appeared minimal but the decision stood and it was Pukki to take.

The recently acclaimed ‘Finnish Athlete of the Year’ stepped up and slotted past Lloris, who will be disappointment to not save after getting a hand to the effort.

Despite worrying scenes in the Tottenham backline, the hosts re-took the lead in the 79th minute through Son.

First, Giovani Lo Celso rolled Dele in behind for the 23-year-old to shoot. His driven attempt at goal was deflected high into the air, swirling all the way to the back post for Son to head home from close range.

Kenny McLean’s low strike minutes after the goal was a warning sign the tie was not over, Mourinho surely worried about the defensive display once again.

Six minutes of added time added to worries inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but Spurs saw out the game in routine fashion to claim a first win since Boxing Day.

Attendance: 58,182

Tottenham XI: Lloris; Aurier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen (Gedson, 75), Sessegnon; Winks (Dier, 56), Lo Celso; Dele, Lamela (Eriksen, 62), Son; Lucas

Tottenham unused substitutes: Gazzaniga, Tanganga, Sanchez, Ndombele

Norwich XI: Krul; Aarons, Byram, Hanley, Zimmermann; Cantwell, Rupp (Drmic, 86), McClean (Stiepermann, 90), Duda, Tettey (Hernandez, 82); Pukki

Norwich unused substitutes: McGovern, Lewis, Trybull, Amadou