Gareth Bale stuck a superb double to power Spurs to victory at Carrow Road.Tottenham became only the second team in the top six to record a Christmas win – and look the main threat to Manchester’s big two at the top of the Premier League.
Manager Harry Redknapp saluted Bale as an “amazing” player.
“I changed the system [tonight] and let him and Rafael (van der Vaart) play a free role. I told them to play where they wanted - gave them a licence to join Emmanuel Adebayor.
“When Gareth picks up the ball and turns and runs at you, he is unplayable.
“We moved the ball well and passed it great. When we passed and kept it, we kept control of the game.”
On Spurs' title aspirations, Redknapp said: “I’ve never said it’s impossible, but it is difficult. United and City are so strong, but we are up there and need to keep picking up points.
“We want to get back into the Champions League as the first step.”
Bale admitted: “It was a good weekend for us. The gaffer said before the game that a lot of the results had gone for us, and this was a big opportunity to put pressure on the teams around us.
“We have learned a lot from playing in the Champions League last season. I am improving and so is the team.”
Bale silenced the cruel jibes of Norwich fans with two fine goals to finally break home resistance.
He was taunted with monkey noises and branded an ape by a section of home fans in the first half - chants described as “disrespectful” by Redknapp.
But his goals in the 55th and 67th minutes deservedly ensured a Spurs win.
His double took his tally to seven this term to consolidate Tottenham’s third-place after Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool all drew this week.
And the three points were no less than Redknapp’s side’s deserved for a dominant display as they continue to target the title.
The visitors bossed the game from the start and created numerous chances.
Bale might have scored twice in the first half before he finally opened his account.
He netted first with a low left-foot shot which Norwich keeper John Ruddy should have dealt better with.
But his second goal was absolutely brilliant as he raced half the length of the pitch to latch on to Luka Modric’s pass and loft a cool finish over Ruddy.
By James Nursey
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