LONDON: Tottenham suffered a potentially devastating setback in their bid to bring Champions League football back to White Hart Lane this season when they lost 2-1 at home to Norwich.

Spurs, perhaps intimidating by the thought of Sunday’s upcoming FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea, conceded an early goal to Anthony Pikington (13),  levelled through Jermain Defoe then (33) fell behind again – and conclusively – to Elliott Bennett’s first goal for the visitors.

Tottenham thus remained fourth in the Premier League but Newcastle moved level on points after a 2-0 win over Bolton. Hatem Ben Arfa produced a moment of magic with a run from inside his own half to open the scoring in the 73rd minute.Papiss Cisse then scored his eighth goal in five games – and 10th in nine appearances since arriving in January – seven minutes from time.

Chelsea could have overtaken both Tottenham and Newcastle had they won at Fulham but, after leading with a 45th-minute by Frank Lampard, they conceded a late goal, and thus a 1-1 draw, to United States forward Clint Dempsey.

Everton warmed up for Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final derby against Liverpool with a 4-0 home over Sunderland. Manager David Moyes celebrated all three points despite resting Leighton Baines, Tim Cahill and in-form striker Nikica Jelavic.

Six minutes into the second half Magaye Gueye scored his first for the club when he converted after Leon Osman’s effort was parried by goalkeeper Simom Mignolet. Substitute Royston Drenthe and Gueye combined to set up Steven Pienaar for a second in the 75th minute.

The South Africa international then set up Osman to add the third with a shot in off the post 90 seconds later before Victor Anichebe made it 4-0 to increase seventh-placed Everton’s lead over neighbours Liverpool to four points.

Stoke defender Robert Huth scored for the second time in 48 hours to earn his side a 1-1 draw at Aston Villa. Huth had scored his side’s first goal in Saturday’s win over Wolves and made another telling contribution against Alex McLeish’s side.

The former Chelsea player’s 71st minute header cancelled out a stunning earlier strike from Villa striker Andreas Weimann. Villa thus edged seven points clear of the relegation zone.

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