Bent Keane to impress

By: Gary | July 28th, 2008

Norwich City 1-5 Spurs

Darren Bent wasted no time at all in banishing any doubts ahead of the new season, netting four just hours after Robbie Keane signed for Liverpool, to inspire Juande Ramos’ men to a comfortable 5-1 win.

With news filtering through shortly before kick-off that Spurs will be without their Irish talisman next term, having completed a £20.3 million switch to Merseyside, Bent relished under his new found opportunity to impress with four of the best finishes you’ll see.

Tottenham controlled this game from start to finish with slick passing, fluid attacks and a controlled pace. There were signs of vast changes in style of play. An air of Ramos’ branded football was present throughout.

It was Giovanni Dos Santos creating the early sparks causing havoc in the Canaries back third. His fine dribbling led to our opener too as took he it past two defenders before crossing low into the box for Dejan Stefanovic to put through his own net.

Ledley King gifted the hosts back into the game slipping at last man allowing City to level. But it did not deter the travelling Londoners who assumed the ascendancy once more picking holes in the home team’s defence at will.

On cue the Darren Bent show, as the former Ipswich man was on hand to put away any loose chance on his return to Sussex.

Four top finishes soon put Norwich out of sight.

A dominant Spurs display left fans singing: “Are you watching Robbie Keane?” just hours after signing for Rafa Benitez’s Reds.

The evening also saw tidy displays put in from Chris Gunter, Jamie O’Hara and Luca Modric who all had a hand in a disciplined and polished showing.

Spurs will face bigger and tougher tests but as far as pre-season friendlies go, the boys can return to the training ground tomorrow knowing it was a good job done.

With the likes of Jonathan Woodgate, Alan Hutton, Steed Marlbranque and Dimitar Berbatov all missing, the sense of gloom from Keane’s deaprture was certainly lifted to uncover a fresh sense of optimism ahead of the new campaign.

Star Man: Darren Bent

Who else could possibly be a candidate. The night belonged to Bent. The striker who endured critic after critic last season, showed exactly what he is about tonight. He means business. Lethal finishing at every opportunity. Robbie who?

Must do better: Jermaine Jenas

Another below average performance from the middle man who divides opinion. Drifted in and out of the game but spent most of it out of the action. Sloppy passing and wayward passing will do little to earn him new fans.

Check the Spurs offiside tomorrow for all the reaction to Robbie Keane’s transfer to Anfield.