Published: 23 February, 2014
by DAN CARRIER

Premier League
NORWICH CITY 1, SPURS 0

SPURS saw Liverpool gain a six-point lead over them in the hunt for fourth place after falling to a hugely disappointing 1-0 defeat away at struggling Norwich this afternoon (Sunday).

Norwich had previously never beaten Spurs in the Premier League at Carrow Road, but Tim Sherwood’s team turned in a performance that left the manager “bitterly disappointed”.

He said: “I didn't think we got started until the second half, which isn't good enough.

“We weren't brave enough, didn't take enough risks, we weren't good enough with our one-on-one defending.

“We did have clear-cut chances to score and you have to take them to win football games.”

Liverpool had edged a 4-3 thriller versus Swansea earlier in the day, meaning Spurs had to get out of the blocks quickly to catch up. But it didn't happen.

Instead, Spurs looked lethargic after their long trip home on Thursday night from a Europa League tie against Dnipro in Ukraine, and in a dire first half, disjointed passes made it even harder work as Norwich sensed an upset.

John Ruddy, in the Norwich goal, was never troubled while Spurs were lucky Norwich, who hadn't scored at home for three games, lacked the guile to capitalise on their visitors’ disjointed start.

The second half didn't get any better, as Canaries forward Robert Snodgrass stepped inside Danny Rose and drove home from the edge of the box. It was all Norwich, who hadn't won for 13 games, deserved.

Chances to equalise were hard to come by. On 60, Emmanuel Adebayor led the charge forward, but as he shaped to finish his final touch, saw the ball squirt away from him and into Ruddy's path.

Roberto Soldado came on with 26 minutes to go and almost made an instant impact when Adebayor touched the ball to him but he could only drive into the side-netting. The Spaniard had two other chances in quick succession as Spurs began to finally find some urgency.

Nacer Chadli also found himself in a great position as the clock ticked down but Ruddy was equal to his shot, and Norwich held firm for a deserved victory.

SPURS COMMENT by Dan Carrier

THIS defeat must surely mean Spurs face another season in the Europa League.

It has a number of knock-on effects.

It surely will mean Tim Sherwood's tenure will come to an end.

It will mean Spurs face another summer of fighting to keep hold of their best players – Jan Vertonghen and Hugo Lloris are clearly Champions League material.

And it will mean another season of playing games on Sundays – meaning heavy legs on the players and a less-than-raucous atmosphere at the Lane.

If there is a silver lining, it's the plan to allow the Europa League winners a place in the following year’s Champions League. It is, sadly, the most likely route for Spurs to the top table at the moment.

SPURS: Lloris, Dawson, Vertonghen, Naughton, Rose, Bentaleb, Capoue (Chadli, 12), Lennon, Dembele, Paulinho, (Soldado, 64) Adebayor.