Published: 1 November, 2012
by STEVE BARNETT

NORWICH City scored twice in the final eight minutes to stun Spurs last night (Wednesday) in the fourth round of the Capital One Cup.

Gareth Bale looked to have secured Tottenham’s progress into the quarter-finals shortly after the hour mark when he powered the ball home from just outside the penalty area to give the visitors a deserved lead.   

But late strikes from substitutes Alex Tettey, whose volley deflected in off Jan Vertonghen, and Simeon Jackson turned the game on its head as the Canaries battled back to steal a 2-1 win.

Spurs should have forced extra-time after being awarded a penalty three minutes from time when Marc Tierney felled Kyle Walker, but Mark Bunn capped off a superb performance by saving Clint Dempsey’s penalty.

Dejected Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas said: “We played well and had good opportunities but we couldn’t hold on to our lead. It’s disappointing for any top team to lose.”

It proved another good night for Spurs’ north London rivals Arsenal, who were no doubt still revelling in their thrilling 7-5 victory away at Reading on Tuesday.

Having failed to win a trophy in the past seven years, their chances certainly look a lot brighter following a night of action that saw cup holders Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham all knocked out of the competition.

And their quest to win the Capital One Cup continues with a trip to Bradford in the quarter-final.