Tim Krul was the hero by saving two penalties as Norwich beat Tottenham in a shootout after a 1-1 draw to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 28 years.
Norwich were on the back foot in the penalty shootout when Kenny McLean’s first kick was saved by Michel Vorm, but Erik Lamela hit the crossbar for Spurs with Troy Parrott and Gedson Fernandes seeing their efforts pushed away by Krul.
The Dutch goalkeeper, who took his time to set himself before each kick, sprinted to the opposite end of the ground to celebrate with the 9,000 joyous travelling supporters in the away end.
At the same time Spurs defender Eric Dier was involved in a confrontation in the stands after being “insulted” by a fan.
Tottenham had actually taken the lead early on through Jan Vertonghen, as the Belgium defender rose highest to powerfully head in from Giovani lo Celso’s superb cross.
But they were forced back by Norwich as the visitors caused plenty of problems – Emiliano Buendia and Lukas Rupp both forcing stand-in goalkeeper Vorm into making sharp saves.
Having looked like being left frustrated, the Canaries got a deserved equaliser on 78 minutes as Josip Drmic bundled in from close range after Vorm spilled Kenny McLean’s drive.
At the other end, the hosts could have won it with five minutes of normal time remaining but Serge Aurier saw his low shot cleared off the line by the retreating Ben Godfrey. With no further goals in extra time, Norwich made it a night to remember.
Daniel Farke’s side will host the winner of Thursday’s tie between Derby and Manchester United in the quarter-finals.
Despite being rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table, Norwich have gained plaudits for their attractive style of football and Farke’s men thoroughly deserved to progress in the cup.
Though they have plenty to do if they are to avoid an immediate return to the Championship, six points adrift of safety with just 10 games remaining, this competition will come as a welcome distraction.
The Norfolk club have never won the FA Cup and their run in recent years has been dreadful with six third-round defeats, but they may well take inspiration from the Wigan team of 2013 which went all the way to lifting the trophy yet still ended up being relegated.
Having fallen behind, the away side maintained their composure and penned Tottenham back into their own half for large periods, the dangerous Buendia struck straight at Vorm after opening up space with some fine footwork, while the Spurs goalkeeper almost let Rupp’s long-range drive squirm through his hands and into the net.
Mario Vrancic had a thumping, goalbound drive blocked by Dier and the Bosnia international curled a left-footed free-kick on to the roof of the net in the second half.
As they would have expected, Norwich had to battle against the tide of Tottenham attacks in the additional 30 minutes and having held firm, got their rewards in the shootout.
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