By Mike Henson BBC Sport

Gareth Bale struck twice to underline Tottenham's title credentials with a comfortable 2-0 win over Norwich.

Bale shot over before the break but found his range in the second half.

The Welshman swept home Emmanuel Adebayor's lay-off from 10 yards out before his searing pace took him clear of the defence to clip home a second.

Redknapp hails brace-scoring Bale

Spurs are within seven points of the top, four points clear of fourth-placed Chelsea and five ahead of Arsenal with a game in hand on all around them.

The trip to Carrow Road was a chance for Harry Redknapp's side to take advantage after their two closest London rivals and leaders Manchester City failed to take maximum points from Premier League clashes in the last two days.

After an even opening quarter, the visitors' greater quality told through Bale, who snuffed out the Canaries' hopes of a fightback with a blistering run for the second.

Norwich's attack centred on a front pair of Steve Morison and Grant Holt, but Younes Kaboul at the heart of the Tottenham defence dominated in the air.

Instead, Norwich were mostly restricted to long-range efforts with Morison and David Fox trying their luck from distance early on.

Tottenham also initially struggled to create genuine goal-scoring opportunities, with Bale, Luka Modric and Rafael van der Vaart zipping passes around to little effect.

DID YOU KNOW?

Tottenham have collected more points (38) from their last 15 Premier League matches than Manchester City and Manchester United (both 36)

Their first clear opportunity duly came courtesy of a mistake from Russell Martin, who was hustled off the ball by Bale, but the midfielder scooped his finish well over the top as he bore down on the Norwich goal.

That chance seemed to spark Tottenham into life.

Emmanuel Adebayor's touch proved a fraction heavy as he guided Van der Vaart's exquisite long ball round John Ruddy, before the goalkeeper did well to smother Bale's shot from Modric's weighted pass.

Tottenham finished the first half in the ascendancy and should have had a penalty when Morison cynically tripped William Gallas as they waited for Van der Vaart's free-kick.

Referee Michael Oliver failed to detect a foul in a crowded box and the Canaries escaped down the tunnel with the scoreline still blank.

After his two earlier misses Bale found the net within 10 minutes of the restart as Adebayor held off a mob of Norwich defenders with strength and quick feet before laying the ball off for him to send a scuffed finish bobbling past Ruddy's outstretched hand.

Norwich pressed forward in pursuit of an equaliser but inevitably left themselves exposed them to Tottenham's ability to break at speed.

Lambert admires 'top' Spurs

When the home side surrendered possession in midfield, Modric had space and time to play in Bale, who surged through the remnants of the defence from the halfway line and dinked a composed finish past Ruddy.

With Norwich unable to prise their way back into the game, Tottenham's travelling fans took the chance to taunt north London neighbour Arsenal, who had drawn 1-1 at home to Wolves  earlier in the day.

Martin almost gave the Norwich supporters a consolation to cheer when his header drifted wide of the upright in stoppage time.

Norwich boss Paul Lambert:

"It's disappointing to lose but we gave it everything we had. They've got quality all over the pitch.

"I've got to have a realism factor, where we came from and the team we are up against."

Lineup, Bookings (2) & Substitutions (6)

Norwich

  • 01 Ruddy
  • 02 R Martin
  • 03 Drury (Bennett - 75' )
  • 06 Whitbread Booked
  • 24 De Laet (Barnett - 64' )
  • 07 Crofts (Pilkington - 75' )
  • 11 Surman
  • 14 Hoolahan
  • 15 Fox
  • 05 Morison
  • 09 Holt

Substitutes

  • 13 Rudd
  • 20 Barnett
  • 04 Johnson
  • 12 Pilkington
  • 17 Bennett
  • 10 Jackson
  • 21 Wilbraham

Tottenham

  • 24 Friedel
  • 03 Bale
  • 04 Kaboul
  • 13 Gallas Booked
  • 28 Walker
  • 32 Assou-Ekotto (Rose - 72' )
  • 08 Parker (Livermore - 90' )
  • 11 Van der Vaart (Kranjcar - 85' )
  • 14 Modric
  • 30 Sandro
  • 10 Adebayor

Substitutes

  • 01 Gomes
  • 19 Bassong
  • 21 Kranjcar
  • 25 Rose
  • 29 Livermore
  • 40 Pienaar
  • 09 Pavlyuchenko
Ref: Oliver
Att: 26,807

Match Stats

Shots

8 19

On target

4 8

Corners

3 10

Fouls

7 6

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +4:50 Full time

Full Time The game is over, as the referee blows his whistle.

90:00 +4:24

The referee blows for offside against Steve Morison. Free kick taken by Brad Friedel.

90:00 +3:17 Substitution

Substitution Jake Livermore replaces Scott Parker.

90:00 +3:03

Wesley Hoolahan decides to take a short corner.

90:00 +2:21

Corner taken by Anthony Pilkington, Russell Martin takes a shot. Luka Modric gets a block in.

90:00 +1:52

The ball is crossed by Anthony Pilkington, clearance made by William Gallas.

90:00 +0:49

Centre by Danny Rose, clearance by Zak Whitbread.

90:00 +0:12

The ball is delivered by Leon Barnett, save by Brad Friedel.

89:34

Gareth Bale delivers the ball.

89:10

Centre by Emmanuel Adebayor, clearance by Leon Barnett.

86:16

Anthony Pilkington crosses the ball, Headed effort from inside the penalty area by Steve Morison misses to the right of the target.

86:02

Centre by Anthony Pilkington, William Gallas manages to make a clearance.

84:48 Substitution

Substitution Niko Kranjcar replaces Rafael Van der Vaart.

84:32

David Fox takes a shot from deep inside the box clearing the bar.

84:17

The ball is delivered by Elliott Bennett, Younes Kaboul manages to make a clearance.

83:52

Scott Parker gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Wesley Hoolahan. Wesley Hoolahan takes the free kick.

83:02

Anthony Pilkington sends in a cross, save made by Brad Friedel.

82:38

Shot from 12 yards from Luka Modric. Comfortable save by John Ruddy.

79:50

Foul by Danny Rose on Elliott Bennett, free kick awarded. John Ruddy restarts play with the free kick.

78:46

Effort on goal by Emmanuel Adebayor from inside the penalty area goes harmlessly over the bar.

77:52

Elliott Bennett produces a cross.

77:18

Outswinging corner taken by Wesley Hoolahan, Scott Parker makes a clearance.

77:10

Wesley Hoolahan produces a cross, Younes Kaboul manages to make a clearance.

75:50

The assistant referee flags for offside against Grant Holt. William Gallas restarts play with the free kick.

74:48 Substitution

Substitution Andrew Crofts leaves the field to be replaced by Anthony Pilkington.

74:30 Substitution

Substitution Elliott Bennett is brought on as a substitute for Adam Drury.

74:00

A cross is delivered by Danny Rose, clearance made by Leon Barnett.

72:04

The ball is sent over by Gareth Bale, Zak Whitbread makes a clearance.

71:34

Rafael Van der Vaart restarts play with the free kick.

70:39 Substitution

Substitution Danny Rose replaces Benoit Assou-Ekotto.

70:39

Unfair challenge on Raniere Sandro by David Fox results in a free kick.

69:44

Effort on goal by Luka Modric from 20 yards. Comfortable save by John Ruddy.

68:35

Scott Parker takes the free kick.

68:35 Booking

Booking Zak Whitbread receives a caution.

68:28

Kyle Walker fouled by Zak Whitbread, the ref awards a free kick.

68:07

Leon Barnett has an effort at goal. Save by Brad Friedel.

67:27

Raniere Sandro gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Wesley Hoolahan. David Fox takes the free kick.

66:03

Assist by Luka Modric.

66:03 Goal scored

Goal - Gareth Bale - Norwich 0 - 2 Tottenham Goal scored by Gareth Bale from deep inside the penalty area low into the middle of the goal. Norwich 0-2 Tottenham.

65:24

The official flags Emmanuel Adebayor offside. John Ruddy restarts play with the free kick.

63:35 Substitution

Substitution Leon Barnett on for Ritchie De Laet.

61:57

Shot on goal by Kyle Walker from just inside the area clears the crossbar.

61:51

Benoit Assou-Ekotto crosses the ball.

58:37

Adam Drury sends in a cross, clearance made by Scott Parker.

57:04

Centre by Luka Modric, clearance by Adam Drury.

56:48

The ball is swung over by Rafael Van der Vaart, clearance made by Zak Whitbread.

56:15

Short corner worked by Rafael Van der Vaart.

56:07

Kyle Walker sends in a cross, Adam Drury makes a clearance.

54:53

Assist on the goal came from Emmanuel Adebayor.

54:53 Goal scored

Goal - Gareth Bale - Norwich 0 - 1 Tottenham Gareth Bale finds the net with a goal from deep inside the penalty box low into the middle of the goal. Norwich 0-1 Tottenham.

54:16

William Gallas delivers the ball, Grant Holt manages to make a clearance.

54:01

Rafael Van der Vaart sends in a cross, clearance by Grant Holt.

54:01

A cross is delivered by Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Grant Holt makes a clearance.

53:33

Corner taken by Rafael Van der Vaart from the left by-line, clearance by Zak Whitbread.

53:27

The ball is delivered by Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Ritchie De Laet makes a clearance.

51:18

Andrew Surman shoots direct from the free kick.

51:18 Booking

Booking William Gallas shown a yellow card.

51:11

Andrew Surman fouled by William Gallas, the ref awards a free kick.

50:30

Scott Parker takes a shot. David Fox gets a block in.

49:39

Luka Modric takes a shot. Blocked by Russell Martin.

48:38

Gareth Bale has an effort at goal from just outside the penalty box which goes wide of the left-hand post.

48:02

The ball is sent over by Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Andrew Crofts makes a clearance.

45:56

The ball is swung over by Benoit Assou-Ekotto.

45:01

The game restarts for the second half.

45:00 +2:28 Half time

Half Time The ref blows to end the first period.

45:00 +1:52

Shot by Emmanuel Adebayor from deep inside the penalty area misses to the right of the target.

45:00 +0:59

Wesley Hoolahan fouled by Benoit Assou-Ekotto, the ref awards a free kick. David Fox takes the free kick.

45:00 +0:34

Emmanuel Adebayor delivers the ball.

45:00 +0:12

The ball is swung over by Kyle Walker, Russell Martin manages to make a clearance.

43:37

Wesley Hoolahan challenges Scott Parker unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick crossed left-footed by Rafael Van der Vaart from left channel.

41:49

Corner taken by Rafael Van der Vaart, John Ruddy makes a save.

41:44

Kyle Walker crosses the ball, blocked by Adam Drury.

41:03

A cross is delivered by Kyle Walker, Ritchie De Laet manages to make a clearance.

40:33

The ball is sent over by Kyle Walker, Ritchie De Laet manages to make a clearance.

40:18

The ball is crossed by Gareth Bale, Zak Whitbread manages to make a clearance.

37:28

Shot from long distance by Rafael Van der Vaart misses to the right of the target.

35:42

Effort from the edge of the box by Steve Morison goes wide of the right-hand upright.

35:00

The referee blows for offside. John Ruddy takes the free kick.

34:34

The ball is swung over by Luka Modric, clearance made by Wesley Hoolahan.

34:20

Rafael Van der Vaart takes a short corner.

34:08

Effort from 12 yards by Gareth Bale. Save made by John Ruddy.

30:58

Effort from deep inside the area by Gareth Bale clears the bar.

27:05

Corner from the right by-line taken by Rafael Van der Vaart, John Ruddy makes a comfortable save.

26:48

Shot from 25 yards from Gareth Bale. Blocked by Wesley Hoolahan.

26:09

The ball is crossed by Ritchie De Laet, Brad Friedel makes a comfortable save.

25:46

Steve Morison delivers the ball, Younes Kaboul manages to make a clearance.

25:41

The ball is delivered by Grant Holt.

25:21

The ball is sent over by Wesley Hoolahan.

24:12

The ball is swung over by Andrew Crofts, clearance by Younes Kaboul.

24:07

A cross is delivered by Adam Drury.

23:24

Shot from just outside the area by Younes Kaboul misses to the left of the target.

22:34

Unfair challenge on Gareth Bale by Ritchie De Laet results in a free kick. Rafael Van der Vaart takes the direct free kick.

22:27

The ball is swung over by Kyle Walker, clearance by Russell Martin.

20:29

The referee blows for offside. John Ruddy takes the free kick.

19:51

Grant Holt gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Younes Kaboul. Brad Friedel takes the free kick.

19:38

The ball is crossed by Steve Morison, save made by Brad Friedel.

18:39

Shot from just outside the area by Kyle Walker misses to the right of the target.

17:46

The ball is sent over by Gareth Bale, clearance by Russell Martin.

17:23

Ritchie De Laet produces a cross, Scott Parker manages to make a clearance.

15:56

Effort on goal by David Fox from 25 yards. Save made by Brad Friedel.

15:27

Centre by Ritchie De Laet, Younes Kaboul makes a clearance.

13:15

Andrew Surman sends in a cross, clearance by Younes Kaboul.

12:08

The ball is crossed by Kyle Walker, clearance made by Andrew Surman.

11:37

Grant Holt concedes a free kick for a foul on Raniere Sandro. William Gallas takes the direct free kick.

9:13

Mishit left-footed shot by Benoit Assou-Ekotto. Russell Martin gets a block in.

9:59

Corner taken left-footed by Rafael Van der Vaart from the right by-line, save made by John Ruddy.

9:52

Centre by Kyle Walker, clearance made by Adam Drury.

9:38

Rafael Van der Vaart decides to take a short corner.

9:13

Benoit Assou-Ekotto has a shot on goal from outside the area which misses right.

8:47

Corner taken right-footed by Luka Modric.

7:43

Grant Holt concedes a free kick for a foul on Benoit Assou-Ekotto. Free kick crossed left-footed by Rafael Van der Vaart, clearance made by Grant Holt.

7:05

Corner taken right-footed by Luka Modric from the right by-line, Zak Whitbread manages to make a clearance.

6:19

Short corner worked by Rafael Van der Vaart, Luka Modric crosses the ball, clearance by Adam Drury.

5:31

Curled left-footed shot by Gareth Bale. Save made by John Ruddy.

3:53

Drilled right-footed shot by Rafael Van der Vaart. Comfortable save by John Ruddy.

2:33

Free kick awarded for a foul by Raniere Sandro on Grant Holt. Direct free kick taken by Ritchie De Laet.

1:30

Benoit Assou-Ekotto delivers the ball.

0:26

Effort from 25 yards by Steve Morison. Comfortable save by Brad Friedel.

0:00

The match begins.

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