Premier League: Tottenham 1 Norwich 2

Tottenham Hotspur suffered a huge setback in their fight for third place in the English Premier League as they lost 2-1 at home to Norwich.

An early goal from Anthony Pilkington gave visitors Norwich the lead at White Hart Lane.

Jermain Defoe levelled the scores with a fine finish on 33 minutes, moments after Norwich were denied a penalty.

But the visitors took home all three points thanks to a magnificent strike from Elliot Bennet on 66 minutes.

Spurs started the game on the front foot and could have scored as early as the fourth minute when Defoe found space in the box and laid the ball off to Saha, but the Frenchman’s low shot was well saved by John Ruddy.

Norwich were almost gifted the lead in the 11th minute when Kyle Walker’s careless pass back to Brad Friedel was pounced on by Grant Holt, but fullback Walker made amends by regaining possession.

The visitors took the lead through Anthony Pilkington in the 13th minute, with Younes Kaboul at fault for losing the ball on the edge of the box.

Walker and King failed to clear the danger, presenting the chance to a grateful Pilkington, who calmly slotted home.

Tottenham looked vulnerable in defence, as Grant Holt created real problems for King and Kaboul with his physical presence.

Norwich could have doubled their lead after half an hour through Johnson, but his thunderous strike hit the base of the wall from a well-worked set-piece.

Holt continued causing the Spurs defence problems and should have had a penalty on 32 minutes.

The striker managed to turn King and was then dragged to the ground by the defender but the referee waved away the visitors’ claims, leaving Paul Lambert incensed on the touchline.

Spurs then levelled a minute after Norwich were denied the penalty.

Livermore threaded a lovely ball into Defoe after winning possession in midfield.

The forward waited for Ruddy to come rushing out before lifting the ball over him to bring the scores level.

Elliot Bennet soon went close to equalising with a volley at the back post which was kept out well by Friedel.

Tottenham started the second half with a sense of purpose and almost scored through Gareth Bale.

The Welshmen was on the end of Aaron Lennon’s cut-back from the right-hand side, but his shot from 15 yards out was blocked.

Spurs came close again in the 53rd minute and were only denied by a brilliant save from Ruddy.

Benoit Assou-Ekotto exchanged passes with Adebayor and then fired a low shot which the Norwich goalkeeper was equal to.

That was followed by another great chance for Johnson, who fired his half-volley over the bar from only a few yards out after making a good run to get on the end of Holt’s cross.

Spurs had a good opportunity of their own, as Bale hit the woodwork with a left-footed shot after being released by a fine pass from Luka Modric.

Just when the Spurs crowd were finding their voice they were silenced by a magnificent goal from Bennett on 66 minutes.

The fullback advanced down the right hand side and with the Tottenham defence backing off he hammered a glorious shot past a helpless Friedel.

Norwich’s second goal took the sting out of the match.

The breakneck tempo was finally slowing down with the visitors adopting a more cautious approach.

They wasted a great chance to make it 3-1 when Johnny Howson could have shot inside the area, but elected to pass, allowing the Tottenham defence to intervene.

Five minutes were added on at the end of the game but the away side stood firm to close out a famous victory.

Tottenham failed to regain third place from Arsenal and are now level on 59 points with fellow European hopefuls Newcastle United.