Bent and Bendtner both hit four as the North London duo stroll to victories. Meanwhile, over in Cork, Keane returns home and sees his side put four past Cobh Ramblers. Here’s the notes and teams from tonight’s activities…
Norwich 1 Tottenham 5
Darren Bent struck four goals to sweeten the bitter pill of Robbie Keane’s departure as Spurs routed Championship Norwich.
Giovani Dos Santos continued his fine start to his Spurs career with the opening goal on 10 minutes. Norwich pulled level 5 minutes later and then Bent took over. He fired his first after smart work from Jenas and O’Hara and then notched his second with a diving header from Assou-Ekotto’s centre.
Bent’s hatt-trick was complete when he stabbed home a rebound after Dos Santos effort was blocked. He then diverted a Gunter cross for his fourth goal with 15 minutes remaining.
Tonight’s game saw Ramos hand a first start to Modric in midfield. King and Bale also made their first appearances of the pre-season. Dawson was withdrawn on 23 minutes but this was for a minor cut to his eye.
Next up, Spurs take on Orient on Wednesday.
Tottenham vs Norwich:
Gomes, Gunter, King (Assou-Ekotto 45), Dawson (Huddlestone 23), Gilberto, Zokora, Jenas, (Bale 60), Modric (Lennon 45), O’Hara, Dos Santos (Taarabt 80), Bent,
Burgenland XI 2 Arsenal 10
Arsenal strolled to victory against ridiculously poor opposition.
The Gunners have visited the small town of Ritzing twice previously drawing 2-2 and winning 5-2 in previous meetings with the town’s own eleven. However, tonight’s opposition were apparently drawn from a lower standard of opposition and it showed from the start.
Jack Wilshire got things started in the very first minute of the game from a Ramsey assist. Bendtner then hit twice in quick succession as the opposition began to crumble. Vela got the fourth before Bendtner sealed his first half hat-trick on 30 minutes. Vela and Bendtner then added further goals to put Arsenal 7-0 up at half-time.
Wenger made a number of changes for the second half but Vela remained on the pitch and carried on where he lett off, sealing his hat-trick on 52 minutes. Wilshire added a penalty after being brought down in the box to make it nine and minutes later he squared to Walcott to make it ten.
Burgenland then somehow mustered a pair of goals but it hardly mattered it what was in no shape or form a competitive encounter.
In terms of lineup, Wenger paired Bendtner and Vela up front with Denilson and Ramsey in central midfield. The Hoyte brothers made up the central defensive pairing. Traore again operated on the left wing.
Wednesday encounter with VfB Stuttgart promises to offer a sterner test for the Gunners and we should see a stronger, more familiar lineup from Wenger.
Arsenal vs Burgenland XI:
Almunia (Mannone 45), J Hoyte, G Hoyte, Clichy (Randall 45), Sagna, Traore (Lansbury 40), Denilson (Walcott 45), Wilshire, Ramsey, Vela, Bendtner (Simpson 45).
Cobh Ramblers 0 Sunderland 4
Sunderland won comfortably in Cork this evening as Keane returned home to a heroes welcome.
Murphy fired the first goal from a Richardson pass to give Keane’s men a half-time lead. Stokes got the second on 52 minutes before adding his second and Sunderland’s third from a Luscombe cross with 12 minutes remaining. O’Donovan completed the scoring in the 88th minute.
Keane gave a start to Tainio in the holding role in midfield, as he opted for a 4-5-1 line-up with Stokes employed out on the right of a five man midfield and Murphy up front. Sunderland’s other recent signings Chimbonda, Colgan and El-Hadji Diouf were not available but should come into contention against Forest on Wednesday.
Sunderland vs Cobh Ramblers:
Gordon (ward 58), Bardsley, Nosworthy, Collins, Liddle, Stokes, Tainio (Luscombe 46), Whitehead (Leadbitter 58), Reid (Colback 58), Richardson (Meyley 58), Murphy (O’Donovan 46).