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 was almost handed the lead in the 11th minute when Kyle Walker’s careless pass back to Brad Friedel was pounced on by Grant Holt but the Tottenham defender made amends by nicking the ball back.

The visitors took the lead through Pilkington with Younes Kaboul at fault this time losing possession on the edge of the box. Walker and King failed to clear the danger between them presenting the chance to a grateful Pilkington who calmly slotted home.

Tottenham looked vulnerable in defense as the match went on with Grant Holt creating real problems for King and Kaboul with his physical presence.

Norwich could have doubled its 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 defense problems and should have had a penalty after 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’ protests, leaving Paul Lambert incensed on the touchline.

It went from bad to worse for the Lambert as Spurs were level a minute after his side were denied a penalty. Livermore threaded a lovely ball into Defoe after winning possession in midfield. Defoe waited for Ruddy to come rushing out before lifting the ball over him to bring the scores level.

Despite getting back into the match it was Norwich who looked more likely to score the next goal, mainly because of lackluster defending from the home side. Elliot Bennet nearly exposed its frailties in the 5^th minute with a volley at the back post which was well kept out by Friedel.

The teams went in level at the break but the big talking point was the penalty not given for the foul on Grant Holt, which would have given Norwich an opportunity to go two up.

Redknapp brought off the out of sorts Saha at halftime replacing him with top scorer Emmanuel Adebayor.

Tottenham started the second half with a sense of purpose and almost immediately took the lead 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 53^rd 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 was Ruddy 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.

The White Hart Lane crowd was witnessing a thrilling match as both teams threw men forward searching for the breakthrough.

Bale in particular looked more like his usual self in the second half and he 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 after 66 minutes. The fullback advanced with the ball down the right hand side and with the Tottenham defense backing off he hammered a glorious shot past the a statuesque Friedel.

The Norwich goal took the sting out of the match and created a sense of tension in the crowd which was filtering into the Spurs players. The breakneck tempo was finally slowing down with the visitor’s adopting a more cautious approach.

Although it didn’t completely abandon its attacking instincts and wasted a great chance to make it 3-1 when Johnny Howson had a chance to shoot inside the area but elected to pass allowing the Tottenham defense to intervene.

Norwich was denying Spurs any possession in the final third and were themselves knocking the ball about with confidence and style as the match drew to a close.

Five minutes were added on at the end of the game but the Canaries remained resolute to close out a famous victory.

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