Spurs, reeling from the loss of Robbie Keane to Liverpool this afternoon, fielded new signings Luca Modric and Giovanni Dos Santos behind Bent, who has a chance to stake a claim for a spot in the Irishman's vacant position. Mexican Dos Santos' early twist and turn saw Dejan Stefanovic, making a disappointing carrow Road debut, turn the ball into his own net.
Stefanovic, an experienced signing from Fulham, was also caught napping by a diving Bent for the crucial first goal of the second half to make it 3-1 after Cureton, pouncing on an error by Spurs skipper Ledley King and Bent, making the most of Norwich's makeshift left-back Matty Pattison's inexperience, had made the score 1-2 at the break.
Pattison was forced into the unfamiliar full back position when Ryan Bertrand was taken off with a knock following a challenge by Jermaine Jenas. Bertrand, on loan from Chelsea, had been impressive up to that point. Pattison was later left further exposed as City chased the game and he struggled to deal with the dual threats of Chris Gunter and substitute Aaron Lennon.
Roeder's side spent much of the game chasing the ball and lacked an outlet for the long ball, although Cureton battled gamely and took his goal expertly. The club are expected to sign a target man, likely to be either Steve Howard, Grzegorz Rasiak or Shola Ameobi, before the start of the season.
Jon Otsemobor looked good going forward while Elliot Omozusi did ok in his secondary position of centre back. Stefanovic looked understandably rusty having not played since December, while his second half replacement Jason Shackell is still short of fitness following a knock in Sweden.
Mark Fotheringham, Sammy Clingan and briefly Pattison and sub Darel Russell looked solid in midfield and linked well when in possession, but the outstanding Canaries performer was Hoolahan, who looked like he could keep the ball at will with some excellent close control.
Probably the biggest disappointment of the evening, other than the score, was an abject performance from Chris Martin, who looked well below the standard required.
City's next warm up game before the big kick-off on August 9th is against Colchester. New signings Arturo Lupoli, David Bell and John Kennedy, none of whom figured this evening, will all hope to get some valuable game time.