By Mandeep Sanghera BBC Sport

Tottenham's stuttering Premier League form continued as their challenge for a top-four spot suffered a damaging setback with defeat at home to Norwich.

Anthony Pilkington sidefooted the Canaries ahead before Grant Holt was denied a penalty for Norwich.

Jermain Defoe dinked in an equaliser and Gareth Bale hit the crossbar for the hosts before Elliott Bennett arrowed in Norwich's winner.

Redknapp targets 'five wins' after Norwich setback

The loss leaves Spurs fourth, above Newcastle only on goal difference.

Newcastle beat Bolton to increase the pressure on the Londoners, while Chelsea are also hot on the heels of faltering Tottenham, who have one win from their last eight games.

After spending so much of the season looking upwards, the swashbuckling style and swagger of early season Spurs was replaced by uncertainty and frustration against a Norwich side who had the quality and verve to take advantage.

The Canaries went ahead when the home defence failed to clear their lines and Pilkington was on hand to slide in his eighth goal of the campaign.

Holt was furious referee Michael Oliver refused to then award him a penalty after Ledley King appeared to pull his shirt and his anger was compounded when Spurs immediately levelled.

Jake Livermore's piercing pass found Defoe and he coolly dinked the ball over the on-rushing keeper John Ruddy.

Analysis

Image of John Motson John Motson BBC Match of the Day commentator

"If anyone likes unpredictable football then White Hart Lane was the place to be. Norwich have pulled off a shock result which is a massive blow to Tottenham's Champions League hopes."

It was only the outstretched hand of Ruddy which then stopped Spurs taking the lead.

Tottenham left-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto broke free after a clever one-two with Emmanuel Adebayor, only to see his shot brilliantly saved by the Norwich keeper.

Tottenham's desire for a win against a Norwich side playing with energy and exuberance made for an enthralling, end-to-end game.

Norwich's top-flight security has been all but assured and, in Holt and Ruddy, the Canaries had two players who enhanced their claims for an England place in front of Spurs boss Harry Redknapp, who is tipped to take over the national team.

Another penalty claim for the visitors was turned down when Adebayor thrust his shoulder into the back of Wilbraham, before Bale cut inside and shuddered a shot against the crossbar.

The buccaneering runs of Bale and promptings of Luka Modric for Spurs have diminished as the season has worn on, while substitute Rafael van der Vaart, introduced with 20 minutes left, has also started to have less of an impact for them.

Lambert delighted with 'colossal' win

A lack of assuredness in defence, with Spurs missing holding midfielder Scott Parker, also did not help the home side and Norwich took advantage to score the winner.

Bennett ran at a backtracking Spurs backline and drove in an angled shot from the edge of the box for his first goal for the club.

Norwich boss Paul Lambert: "It was the best performance in the three years I've been here, that is the magnitude of it. I thought we were brilliant, right from the off.

"If you sit back and analyse it, it is ridiculous what has happened here.

"The club was close to folding, you inherit a group of lads you are not sure are good enough to get out of League One.

"To beat Tottenham in their own back yard is incredible for us, but the performance was right up there."

Lineup, Bookings (3) & Substitutions (6)

Tottenham Hotspur

  • 24 Friedel
  • 04 Kaboul (Nelsen - 45' )
  • 26 King
  • 28 Walker Booked
  • 32 Assou-Ekotto
  • 03 Bale
  • 07 Lennon
  • 14 Modric
  • 29 Livermore (Van der Vaart - 71' )
  • 15 Saha (Adebayor - 46' )
  • 18 Defoe

Substitutes

  • 23 Cudicini
  • 33 Nelsen
  • 11 Van der Vaart
  • 21 Kranjcar
  • 25 Rose
  • 30 Sandro
  • 10 Adebayor

Norwich City

  • 01 Ruddy
  • 02 R Martin
  • 03 Drury
  • 22 Ward
  • 33 R Bennett
  • 04 Johnson Booked
  • 12 Pilkington (Surman - 72' )
  • 17 E Bennett Booked
  • 24 Howson
  • 09 Holt (Morison - 69' )
  • 21 Wilbraham (Jackson - 79' )

Substitutes

  • 31 Steer
  • 20 Barnett
  • 07 Crofts
  • 11 Surman
  • 14 Hoolahan
  • 05 Morison
  • 10 Jackson
Ref: Oliver
Att: 36,126

Match Stats

Shots

13 12

On target

9 6

Corners

10 3

Fouls

12 12

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +5:05 Full time

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

90:00 +4:24

Shot by Gareth Bale from 25 yards. Save made by John Ruddy.

90:00 +4:15

Benoit Assou-Ekotto delivers the ball.

90:00 +3:28

Unfair challenge on Benoit Assou-Ekotto by Steve Morison results in a free kick. Luka Modric takes the direct free kick.

90:00 +1:51

Emmanuel Adebayor gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Adam Drury. John Ruddy takes the free kick.

90:00 +0:57

The ball is delivered by Aaron Lennon.

90:00 +0:10

Bradley Johnson takes a shot. Ryan Nelsen gets a block in. Bradley Johnson produces a left-footed shot from just outside the box that goes wide left of the goal.

89:16

Foul by Gareth Bale on Russell Martin, free kick awarded. John Ruddy takes the direct free kick.

88:34

Benoit Assou-Ekotto crosses the ball, clearance made by Elliott Ward.

86:54

Emmanuel Adebayor is penalised for handball and concedes a free kick. John Ruddy takes the free kick.

84:54

Luka Modric takes a shot. Blocked by Elliott Ward.

84:15

The official flags Simeon Jackson offside. Rafael Van der Vaart takes the free kick.

83:35

Bradley Johnson produces a left-footed shot from outside the box and misses left.

81:07

Corner taken left-footed by Andrew Surman to the near post, Emmanuel Adebayor makes a clearance.

81:01

Simeon Jackson crosses the ball, Kyle Walker gets a block in.

79:58

Ryan Nelsen handles the ball and concedes a free kick. Elliott Ward crosses the ball, Header from close in by Steve Morison misses to the left of the target.

78:45 Substitution

Substitution Simeon Jackson comes on in place of Aaron Wilbraham.

75:57

Elliott Bennett sends in a cross, clearance made by Kyle Walker.

74:11

The ball is sent over by Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Headed effort from inside the area by Gareth Bale misses to the right of the target.

73:09

Corner taken left-footed by Rafael Van der Vaart, clearance made by Bradley Johnson.

71:53 Substitution

Substitution Andrew Surman on for Anthony Pilkington.

71:48

Gareth Bale sends in a cross, Adam Drury makes a clearance.

71:01

Corner from the left by-line taken by Rafael Van der Vaart, clearance by Elliott Ward.

70:57

Benoit Assou-Ekotto delivers the ball, blocked by Elliott Bennett.

70:02 Substitution

Substitution Rafael Van der Vaart on for Jake Livermore.

68:37

Direct free kick taken by Luka Modric.

68:37 Substitution

Substitution Steve Morison is brought on as a substitute for Grant Holt.

68:37

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Luka Modric by Jonathan Howson.

67:49

The assistant referee flags for offside against Emmanuel Adebayor. John Ruddy restarts play with the free kick.

67:00

Kyle Walker takes a shot.

66:55

Benoit Assou-Ekotto produces a cross, Ryan Bennett manages to make a clearance.

65:18

Assist on the goal came from Russell Martin.

65:18 Goal scored

Goal - Elliott Bennett - Tottenham 1 - 2 Norwich Elliott Bennett finds the net with a goal from just outside the area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Tottenham 1-2 Norwich.

63:43

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Luka Modric from the left by-line, clearance made by Grant Holt.

63:23

Gareth Bale takes a shot.

61:08

The free kick is swung in right-footed by Luka Modric.

61:08 Booking

Booking The referee shows Elliott Bennett a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.

60:51

Free kick awarded for a foul by Elliott Bennett on Jermain Defoe.

60:09

Unfair challenge on Jonathan Howson by Benoit Assou-Ekotto results in a free kick. Elliott Bennett crosses the ball from the free kick right-footed from right channel, clearance made by Gareth Bale.

59:30

Aaron Wilbraham concedes a free kick for a foul on Kyle Walker. Direct free kick taken by Luka Modric.

58:48

Kyle Walker takes the direct free kick.

58:48 Booking

Booking Booking for Bradley Johnson.

58:42

Free kick awarded for a foul by Bradley Johnson on Aaron Lennon.

57:28

Grant Holt crosses the ball, Bradley Johnson takes a shot from inside the six-yard box clearing the crossbar.

55:35

Corner from left by-line taken by Luka Modric.

55:04

Gareth Bale takes a shot. Bradley Johnson gets a block in.

53:46

Aaron Wilbraham fouled by Ryan Nelsen, the ref awards a free kick. The ball is swung over by Anthony Pilkington, Shot by Bradley Johnson. Save by Brad Friedel.

52:57

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Luka Modric, Grant Holt fouled by Ryan Nelsen, the ref awards a free kick. John Ruddy restarts play with the free kick.

52:44

Benoit Assou-Ekotto takes a shot. John Ruddy makes a brilliant save.

52:33

The ball is crossed by Kyle Walker, Elliott Ward manages to make a clearance.

51:11

Benoit Assou-Ekotto fouled by Elliott Bennett, the ref awards a free kick. Brad Friedel takes the free kick.

49:01

Anthony Pilkington has a direct shot on goal from the free kick.

49:01 Booking

Booking Caution for Kyle Walker.

48:52

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Anthony Pilkington by Kyle Walker.

48:35

Russell Martin sends in a cross, clearance made by Ledley King.

47:39

Corner taken by Anthony Pilkington from the left by-line played to the near post.

46:05

Gareth Bale takes a shot. Ryan Bennett gets a block in.

45:01

The referee blows his whistle to start the second half.

45:01 Substitution

Substitution Emmanuel Adebayor joins the action as a substitute, replacing Louis Saha.

45:00 +2:27 Half time

Half Time The referee blows for half time.

45:00 +1:27

Ledley King fouled by Aaron Wilbraham, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Benoit Assou-Ekotto.

45:00 +0:49

Unfair challenge on Elliott Bennett by Benoit Assou-Ekotto results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Russell Martin.

45:00 +0:05 Substitution

Substitution Younes Kaboul goes off and Ryan Nelsen comes on.

43:24

Grant Holt takes a shot from just inside the penalty box which clears the crossbar.

42:19

Unfair challenge on Luka Modric by Bradley Johnson results in a free kick. The ball is delivered by Luka Modric, Younes Kaboul has a header from close in and clears the crossbar.

40:21

Free kick awarded for a foul by Kyle Walker on Anthony Pilkington. Anthony Pilkington delivers the ball from the free kick right-footed from left channel. Grant Holt is ruled offside. Brad Friedel takes the free kick.

39:17

Corner taken by Luka Modric from the right by-line played to the near post, Elliott Ward manages to make a clearance.

39:11

Kyle Walker crosses the ball, Adam Drury gets a block in.

37:10

Centre by Anthony Pilkington.

36:29

Kyle Walker produces a cross.

35:40

Louis Saha takes a shot. Elliott Ward gets a block in.

33:10

Unfair challenge on Anthony Pilkington by Kyle Walker results in a free kick. The ball is crossed by Elliott Bennett, Shot from 6 yards from Elliott Ward. Save by Brad Friedel.

33:59

Unfair challenge on Louis Saha by Anthony Pilkington results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Luka Modric.

33:10

Unfair challenge on Anthony Pilkington by Kyle Walker results in a free kick. Centre by Elliott Bennett, Shot by Elliott Ward. Save by Brad Friedel.

32:03

The assist for the goal came from Jake Livermore.

32:03 Goal scored

Goal - Jermain Defoe - Tottenham 1 - 1 Norwich Jermain Defoe scores a goal from inside the penalty box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Tottenham 1-1 Norwich.

31:09

The assistant referee signals for offside against Aaron Lennon. John Ruddy takes the free kick.

29:38

A cross is delivered by Gareth Bale.

28:11

Foul by Jermain Defoe on Jonathan Howson, free kick awarded. Anthony Pilkington restarts play with the free kick. Drilled shot by Bradley Johnson.

27:41

Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Elliott Bennett, Younes Kaboul makes a clearance.

26:48

Jake Livermore concedes a free kick for a foul on Elliott Bennett. Anthony Pilkington crosses the ball in from the free kick, Brad Friedel makes a save.

26:37

Benoit Assou-Ekotto takes a shot. Grant Holt gets a block in.

26:06

Short corner taken by Luka Modric from the left by-line.

26:02

Kyle Walker produces a cross, clearance by Russell Martin.

25:43

The assistant referee signals for offside against Grant Holt. Free kick taken by Brad Friedel.

24:49

The official flags Louis Saha offside. Indirect free kick taken by John Ruddy.

24:14

Luka Modric takes a inswinging corner to the near post, Russell Martin makes a clearance.

24:08

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

23:22

Free kick awarded for a foul by Kyle Walker on Aaron Wilbraham. Free kick crossed left-footed by Bradley Johnson from left wing.

22:05

Elliott Bennett produces a cross, clearance made by Ledley King.

20:31

Elliott Bennett sends in a cross, Ledley King makes a clearance.

20:00

Jermain Defoe is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Russell Martin restarts play with the free kick.

18:58

Elliott Bennett challenges Benoit Assou-Ekotto unfairly and gives away a free kick. Benoit Assou-Ekotto takes the direct free kick.

18:41

The ball is swung over by Aaron Lennon, clearance by Adam Drury.

16:16

Elliott Ward produces a cross, Brad Friedel makes a save.

15:32

The ball is sent over by Grant Holt, Ledley King manages to make a clearance.

14:03

Unfair challenge on Jermain Defoe by Elliott Ward results in a free kick. Free kick crossed by Gareth Bale, John Ruddy makes a comfortable save.

12:39

Assist by Aaron Wilbraham.

12:39 Goal scored

Goal - Anthony Pilkington - Tottenham 0 - 1 Norwich A goal is scored by Anthony Pilkington from inside the box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Tottenham 0-1 Norwich.

11:44

The ball is sent over by Anthony Pilkington.

11:09

Corner taken by Luka Modric from the left by-line played to the near post, save made by John Ruddy.

11:03

Luka Modric sends in a cross, Russell Martin gets a block in.

10:55

Gareth Bale produces a cross.

10:21

Gareth Bale produces a cross, clearance by Ryan Bennett.

9:14

Unfair challenge on Jake Livermore by Bradley Johnson results in a free kick. Brad Friedel takes the direct free kick.

8:18

The ball is sent over by Aaron Lennon.

7:35

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Luka Modric from the left by-line to the near post, Elliott Ward makes a clearance.

4:59

The assistant referee signals for offside against Bradley Johnson. Free kick taken by Ledley King.

3:47

Aaron Lennon crosses the ball.

3:24

Louis Saha takes a shot. Save by John Ruddy.

1:12

The offside flag is raised against Grant Holt. Brad Friedel takes the indirect free kick.

0:00

The game gets underway.

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