Fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur are now just one point ahead of Everton after they were held to a 1-1 draw at Norwich City tonight.
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Gareth Bale went close to breaking the deadlock with a ninth-minute header, but it was the home side who had made the better start.
Grant Holt was twice denied by Hugo Lloris before Wes Hoolahan finished from Anthony Pilkington's cross to put the Canaries ahead in the 33rd minute.
Sebastian Bassong nearly made it 2-0 from a swift counter-attack just before half time, but Moussa Dembele came to the visitors' rescue.
Lewis Holtby was given his debut for Spurs as a 70th-minute substitute and showed signs of early promise.
Andre Villas-Boas's men were back on level terms with 10 minutes remaining when Bale finished following a breakaway, and suddenly they were in the ascendancy.
However, Bale and Defoe were both frustrated in their attempts to snatch all three points as the Canaries held on for a draw.
Michael Penkman
