Norwich City 2 Tottenham Hotspur 1: match report - Telegraph.co.uk

But a defiant Villas-Boas said: "If I bring on attackers, you would have put the question the other way round, so it is completely indifferent.

You can be punished in exactly the same way. Jan has experience playing in midfield, and we had to equal Norwich's height when they brought on Holt. In the end, it is not one thing that determines the result."

There is little doubt, however, that a more clinical side would have been well out of sight by the time Norwich launched their rearguard.

Bale was a delight to watch, starting on the right wing and tormenting Norwich left-back Marc Tierney. Here he was, cutting inside on his left foot. There he went, searing around the outside on his right. He was equally effective on the left wing in the second half.

Eventually his persistence was rewarded, as David Fox allowed him to squirm clear and tuck a low shot past Bunn from 20 yards.

On came Holt and Simeon Jackson, as Norwich went on the charge. Tottenham retreated deeper and deeper, and it was a familiar failing — a fallibility to aerial balls delivered into the penalty area — that ultimately cost them.

Tettey's shot, deflected in off Vertonghen, came after failing to clear Robert Snodgrass's corner six minutes from time. Three minutes later, Lloris parried Holt's header into the path of Jackson, who lashed the ball in from close range.

Tierney then tripped Kyle Walker and referee Jon Moss deliberated before awarding the penalty. Dempsey went for placement, scuffing the ball low to Bunn's left. Bunn guessed correctly and pushed the ball away. The roars said it all.

Capital One Cup draw

• Leeds United v Chelsea
• Swansea City v Middlesbrough
• Norwich City v Aston Villa
• Bradford City v Arsenal

Match details

Norwich (4-4-2): Bunn; Whittaker, Turner, R Bennett, Tierney; Snodgrass, Howson, Fox (Tettey 68), Surman (Holt 82); Butterfield (Jackson 68), Morison.
Subs: Rudd (g), Barnett, Garrido, E Bennett. Booked: Bunn.
Booked: Bunn
Tottenham (4-3-3): Lloris; Walker (Defoe 90), Dawson, Caulker, Naughton; Sigurdsson, Livermore (Huddlestone h-t), Carroll (Vertonghen 79); Bale, Dempsey, Falque.
Subs: Cudicini (g), Townsend, Smith, Lennon.
Booked: Bale
Referee: J Moss (West Yorkshire)