MX23RW : Wednesday, December 25 17:27:14| >> :120:34259:34259:

Live Commentary: Norwich City 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur - as it happened

Read how Norwich City eased the pressure on manager Chris Hughton by overcoming Tottenham Hotspur in the final Premier League game of the weekend.
2

Had Norwich City been defeated on Sunday afternoon by Tottenham Hotspur, Chris Hughton's time as Canaries manager may have come to an end.

Hughton wasn't worrying at full time though as his side produced an excellent display to upset Spurs and climb away from the bottom three.

Read how it all unfolded at Carrow Road in our minute-by-minute updates below.


Sort:
Newest
Oldest
Afternoon all! The final Premier League game of the weekend takes place at Carrow Road as Norwich City entertain Tottenham Hotspur. Team news should be reaching us shortly.

And, right on cue, here it is...

NORWICH XI: Ruddy; Martin, Yobo, Bassong, Olsson; Tettey, Johnson; Snodgrass, Fer, Redmond; Van Wolfswinkel

NORWICH SUBS: Bunn, Whittaker, Howson, Hooper, Pilkington, Hoolahan, Elmander

TOTTENHAM XI: Lloris; Naughton, Dawson, Vertonghen, Rose; Capoue, Bentaleb, Paulinho; Lennon, Adebayor, Dembele

TOTTENHAM SUBS: Friedel, Fryers, Chadli, Eriksen, Townsend, Kane, Soldado

Righty ho, let's take a look at those lineups. Norwich manager Chris Hughton makes just one change and it's in attack as Ricky van Wolfswinkel gets the nod ahead of Gary Hooper.



For the visitors, Tim Sherwood makes two changes, both in defence, as Michael Dawson and Danny Rose come in for Kyle Walker and Younes Kaboul.

Before we dig a little deeper into the game in Norfolk, let's see what's happening in the two earlier kickoffs...

In the North-East, Newcastle and Aston Villa is goalless after a lacklustre game, which has just begun to simmer with five minutes left at St James'.

Moussa Sissoko of Newcastle United looks to get past Ryan Bertrand of Aston Villa during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Aston Villa at St James' Park on February 23, 2014© Getty Images

Meanwhile, at Anfield it's been a completely different story with seven goals shared between Liverpool and Swansea. The Reds are 4-3 up going into the closing stages.

Liverpool's English striker Daniel Sturridge heads to score his team's third goal during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Swansea City at Anfield in Liverpool, northwest England on February 23, 2014© Getty Images

REFEREE WATCH! The man with the whistle at Carrow Road today is Craig Pawson.

LATE DRAMA at St James' Park as Loic Remy strikes in the 92nd minute to win the game for Newcastle United. Liverpool maintained their title challenge by edging out Swansea 4-3 in a cracking game, with some cracking goals, at Anfield.

Click here to see the latest Premier League table ahead of this match. Liverpool's victory over Swansea means that Spurs are now six points off the top four. They will feel that victory today is vital but so will Norwich, who now know that they can draw level with both Swansea and Villa after their defeats today.

Read about Liverpool's 4-3 victory over Swansea here, while our match report of Newcastle's last-gasp triumph over Villa is here.

Back to the game at Carrow Road. Let's take a look at the two substitute benches and see what managers Hughton and Sherwood have got to bring on. The biggest boost for Norwich will be the return from injury of Jonny Howson. As well as his return, there are two strikers in Hooper and Johan Elmander who could come on if the Canaries need a goal.

Sherwood's bench is full of attacking talent and the likes of Christian Eriksen and Roberto Soldado will no doubt enter the fray if things aren't going Spurs's way.

STAT! Spurs have never lost at Carrow Road in the Premier League era but Norwich will be glad that Gareth Bale is no longer with the North London club. The Welsh superstar scored all of Spurs's goals in their last three trips to East Anglia.

Norwich City manager Chris Hughton prior to kick-off during the match against Tottenham on September 14, 2013© Getty Images
Norwich boss Chris Hughton tells Sky Sports News that he's been pleased with the club's performances of late and that they just need to start picking up points. He adds that Van Wolfswinkel's selection ahead of Hooper is purely "tactical".

Tottenham's Gylfi Sigurdsson scores the opening goal against Norwich City on September 14, 2013© Getty Images

LAST TIME OUT! The reverse fixture at White Hart Lane back in September went Spurs's way as Gylfi Sigurdsson scored a brace. The Icelandic international isn't featuring today so that's a slight bonus for the Canaries.

PREDICTION: Ten to go at Carrow Road so time for my pre-match prediction. Spurs haven't obliterated many teams this season so although I expect them to get the points, I think it will be a close game. 0-2 or 1-2.

It's a landmark day for Spurs defender Kyle Naughton as he makes his 50th appearance in all competitions for the visitors.

Here come the two sides out of the tunnel. It's an overcast day in East Anglia with temperatures hovering around the 10-degree mark.



Preston North End's forward Tom Finney smiles as he holds his trophy in London after being elected the Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers Association on 29 April, 1954© Getty Images

This is the first game at Norwich since the passing of legendary football Sir Tom Finney, above, so there is a minute's applause before kickoff.

KICKOFF! And we're off. If Norwich are beaten today, will it be Hughton's last game in charge of the Canaries?

Will Norwich's pacey players like Olsson and Redmond be able to take advantage of a Spurs team that on Thursday night were in Dnipro for a Europa League tie that they lost 1-0? The hosts have an early corner.

CHANCE! And it brings about the first opening and a great chance for Van Wolfswinkel. Spurs failed to clear their lines but the Dutch striker couldn't connect on two occasions with a bouncing ball in the six-yard box before Lloris gathered. A striker low on confidence, that's for sure.

Chance for Norwich to break as Fer streaks through the middle of the park before prodding it out to Snodgrass on right. The former Leeds man waits for the overlapping run of Martin, who can only dig out a deep cross that Van Wolfswinkel can't head back across goal.

First opening for Spurs and it probably should be a goal. Lennon cut in from the left and found the run of Dembele from the other wing. All the Belgian had to do was take it in his stride and he would have had a great chance but he let the ball roll under his foot.

Norwich are passing the ball around nicely here but are struggling to get in behind the Spurs backline.

SPURS SUB: Sherwood is forced into an early change as Capoue hobbles off the pitch with an injury. Nacer Chadli is on in his place and that should see Dembele move into a more central role.

You might have expected Lennon to switch over to his favoured right wing but he remains on the left for the time being.

Here's a great picture of that early Van Wolfswinkel chance from @premierleague on Twitter:


Neither team looks like they want to risk too much going forward and most of the play is happening in the midfield. Paulinho has his first effort of the game, shifting it onto his right foot but curling high and wide.

CHANCE! I expected the rapid Norwich left-side to cause Spurs problems and Olsson has almost set up the opening goal. He got in behind Naughton and crossed low towards the penalty spot where Fer couldn't quite reach far enough to make contact.

The home side have had a good last five minutes but are yet to test Lloris in the Spurs goal. Snodgrass's shot was blocked before Redmond's cross was plucked by the French keeper.

Dembele threads the needle to find Chadli, who shakes off the attentions of Martin but can only pick out a yellow shirt with his cut-back.

BOOKING! First, the good side of Dembele, now the bad as he petulantly throws the ball away after being whistled for a foul. Pawson has no choice but to caution the Belgian for his reaction.

Half-chance for the home side as Snodgrass's curling cross is flicked to the back post inadvertently by Rose. Bassong stretches to turn it goalwards but can't make contact.

Dawson misjudges a long ball, allowing Van Wolfswinkel the chance to run at him but he can't get his legs going and Spurs get men back before Vertonghen makes the tackle and is fouled by the Dutch striker. I doubt it will take Hughton long to introduce Hooper and/or Elmander in the second half if things stay like this.

With half time fast approaching, there's still not been a single shot on target, with Norwich having four attempts and Spurs one.

Possession-wise, the two sides are deadlocked at 50-50.

Just the one minute of time added on. Get the sides in for a gee up from the managers so we can have a better second half!

Vertonghen concedes a late free kick and this will be the last action of the first half. Good chance for Snodgrass to put in a good delivery...

It's a deep one that Lloris peculiarly flaps back behind him for a corner...

HALF TIME: NORWICH 0-0 SPURS

It's headed out by a Spurs head and that's that for the first half.



It's hard to find things to speak about in that opening 45. Both sides looked good enough defensively but weren't willing to really go for it in the final third. Not very surprising, but disappointing all the same.

It's disappointing to see that sort of football, especially from Spurs. If you're the team in a loftier league position up against a side struggling towards the foot, why not go for it and perhaps score a couple of goals to kill the game off?



The two sides are back out of the tunnel and we're ready to start the second half. Give us a game fellas!

KICKOFF! No half-time changes and Spurs get us back underway.

GOAL! NORWICH 1-0 SPURS (SNODGRASS)

I said half time was just what this game needed! Just 83 seconds it took for a goal in the second period as Van Wolfswinkel wins the ball on the right wing before giving it inside to Johnson. He feeds Snodgrass, being played onside by Dawson, and the former Leeds man strokes it into the far corner just past the outstretched right glove of Lloris. Superb finish.

'The Apprentice' host Lord Alan Sugar has just called on Sherwood to bring on Andros Townsend and Christian Eriksen. I reckon the latter is most likely to be brought on next but don't forget Soldado either. Remember, Spurs have already had to make one change when Capoue went off injured in the first half.

Spurs are obviously going to have to go for this now and with Redmond, especially, looking to counter-attack, Norwich could be dangerous on the break.



A chance for Spurs as Rose comes away with the ball from a 50-50 in his own half and then races away downfield. He has Adebayor through the middle and Lennon down the right but somehow plays it between the two.

CHANCES! Both sides come close as the game really starts to open up. Down one end, Bassong allowed Adebayor to run at goal but the Togolese forward overran it and was thwarted by Ruddy. Norwich then went straight down the other end and it was Snodgrass who stung the palms of Lloris with a vicious 20-yard drive.

Paulinho releases Rose down the left and his low cross is initially missed by the first Norwich defender before it is swiped clear by the second yellow shirt. Spurs starting to do more in the final third.

SPURS SUB: The first change of the second half is made by Sherwood as Soldado replaces Paulinho. That will see the visitors move to a 4-4-2 formation.

CHANCE! Oh what an opportunity for the Spaniard to make an instant impact! Lennon rolls the ball into Adebayor and he in turn drops it off for Soldado to the right of goal. He has an unchallenged opening but slices it horribly wide. Terrible effort.

CHANCE! And another opening for Soldado! This time Spurs get lucky as a deflection breaks perfectly for Lennon on the right. He curls over a cross that is met by Soldado but he can only glance it wide of the far post.

Spurs are really piling on the pressure now but they just can't test John Ruddy. They're still to have a shot on target this game as Chadli's floated cross is headed wide by Adebayor.

NORWICH SUB: A first substitution for Hughton (ooh, that rhymes kinda) as Hooper replaces Van Wolfswinkel in attack.

Norwich have a quarter of an hour or so to hold on here. It would be a huge three points if they were to claim victory. As things stand, the Canaries will be climbing up to 14th place in the table.

Spurs are committing far too many niggling fouls at the moment, allowing Norwich the opportunity to wind down the clock.

BOOKING! And another, this time Vertonghen slides in needlessly on Hooper and that gives Norwich an inviting free kick about 30 yards out that Snodgrass will fancy...

JUST WIDE! He was always going to shoot, and Lloris knows that and moves to his left-hand post early, watching the ball whip past the upright for a goal kick.

SAVE! Excellent goalkeeping from Ruddy as he gets down low to keep out Chadli's low shot after he was played in by Dembele. Spurs's best chance of the game and their first shot on target.

SPURS SUB: Final change for the visitors that sees Townsend introduced for Rose. Surprising that Christian Eriksen hasn't seen any action today.

Snodgrass has another chance for his second as Hooper perfectly lays the ball into his path but it's on his right foot and he swipes it well over the top.

OFF THE BAR! Oh my goodness, what a hit from Bradley Johnson! The home side have another free kick and you're expecting Snodgrass to take it but it's Johnson who thwacks it John Arne Riise-style against the underside of the bar. So unlucky.

Moments after the bar was rattled, Redmond had a one-on-one opportunity to settle it but he could only drive it straight at Lloris.

NORWICH SUB: That was Redmond's last input as he is taken off for Wes Hoolahan to shore up the midfield.

CHANCE! How have Norwich not put this game to bed?! Now it's Tettey who squanders an opening as Hooper bursts down the right before cutting back to Tettey. Lloris is out of goal but Tettey completely misses his backheel attempt.

BOOKING! Spurs are getting increasingly frustrated and next in the book is Dawson for a foul on Hooper.

Spurs are now coming forward and it would be an absolute travesty if they found a late equaliser.

You can see that the hosts are starting to panic and Spurs can smell blood. Can they snatch an equaliser?

Three minutes have just been added on. Moments after, Fer made a sublime tackle to prevent Townsend getting a cross in.

BOOKING! Norwich keeper Ruddy is flashed a yellow card for time-wasting. Hardly surprising.

Chadli's audacious volley is straight at Ruddy and that might just be the last chance.

FULL TIME: NORWICH 1-0 SPURS



If Norwich had lost today, would Chris Hughton have been sacked? We'll never know and the Canaries' performance has brought chief executive David McNally to tears in the stands!

Right then, that's round 27 of the Premier League all done and dusted. Click here to see how the table looks, with Norwich up to 14th while Spurs are now six points adrift of the top four in fifth.

Thanks for joining Sports Mole this afternoon. Make sure you stick around for plenty of reaction and analysis from Carrow Road!

ID:140587: cacheID:140587:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:37558:
Written by
Pascal Lemesre
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Spur's Roberto Soldado in action during a friendly match against Espanyol on August 10, 2013
Read Next:
Team News: Soldado starts for Spurs
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16123137162139
2Chelsea17105237191835
3Arsenal1796234161833
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Aston Villa178452626028
7Manchester CityMan City178362925427
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1772839251423
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton163761421-716
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!