Newcastle Surge as Spurs Stumble in Race for Champions League Spot‎

Spurs Stumble to Defeat

Tottenham's hopes of securing a Champions League spot for next season took a heavy blow as they lost 1-2 to Norwich City at White Hart Lane on Monday.

Norwich took the lead in the 13th minute, when Anthony Pilkington took advantage of an error by Younes Kaboul and drilled past Brad Friedel. Spurs found the equaliser in the 33rd minute, when Jake Livermore released Jermain Defoe with a smart through ball and the England striker chipped calmly over John Ruddy for his 16th goal of the season.

Just after the hour mark, Bale went close to putting Spurs in front when his curling effort from the right side of the area hit the crossbar, before the Norwich defence cleared to safety.

The Canaries took the lead again in the 66th minute, when Elliott Bennett collected the ball 20 yards from goal and fired a venomous shot past a motionless Friedel, much to the shock of the home crowd.

Spurs pushed forward desperately hoping to level the scores once again but the Norwich defence held on. The loss means that Spurs remain fourth in the league table.

Ben Arfa and Cisse Guide Magpies to Fifth

Meanwhile, goals from Hatem Ben Arfa and Papiss Cisse have lifted Newcastle United up to fifth in the Premier League table with a 2-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers.

Newcastle broke the deadlock in the 73rd minute thanks to a moment of individual brilliance from Hatem Ben Arfa. The French midfielder picked up the ball inside the Bolton half before sprinting his way through the Bolton midfield and then past backtracking defenders. With only the goalkeeper to beat, he sidefooted the ball low into the left corner of the net, well past Adam Bogdan. The victory was sealed ten minutes later. In-form Papiss Cisse tapped in a cross from Shola Ameobi to take his goal tally to 10 from eight appearances for the club.

The Magpies are now level on points with Tottenham. Spurs are presently fourth but could drop to as low as sixth, should Chelsea win the late kick-off against Fulham, in the west London derby at Craven Cottage.

Check out some of the best moments of the two matches here:

MUST READ: Fulham Vs. Chelsea: Watch Live Stream Online; Previews, Statistics, Team News, Prediction