PREMIER LEAGUE
Aston Villa recovered from conceding an early goal to stun Norwich in the first half on the way to a 4-1 victory.
The three points saw Villa move seven points clear of danger as Paul Lambert inflicted a damaging defeat on his former club, who are 15th in the table and four points above the drop zone.
Wes Hoolahan's third-minute strike for the Canaries was cancelled out by Christian Benteke in spectacular style on 25 minutes and within two minutes, the Belgium striker had netted again with his ninth Premier League goal of the season.
Leandro Bacuna then got in on the act before Sebastian Bassong put through his own net ahead of the half-time whistle. There was little to report from the second half as Villa held firm in front of a low crowd of 30,303 to record only their fourth home league win of the campaign.
Roberto Soldado's first goal in nine games fired Tottenham to a 1-0 victory over struggling Cardiff at White Hart Lane.
The striker ended his two-month drought with a cool first-half finish as Spurs edged past Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's relegation-threatened Cardiff.
Soldado's relief was palpable as the £26million Valencia capture notched just his sixth goal in 29 Tottenham appearances.
Tim Sherwood's Spurs consolidated fifth place in the Premier League table with their third win in four league games.
Cardiff's seventh consecutive Premier League defeat on the road leaves them one point and one place off the bottom of the table.
A dubious penalty rescued a point for Crystal Palace as they drew 1-1 with Swansea at the Liberty Stadium.
Chico Flores was sent off after bringing down substitute striker Glenn Murray late on, but the offence appeared to take place just outside the box.
Yet referee Mike Dean pointed to the spot and Murray converted in front of the travelling Eagles fans to leave a bitter taste for Garry Monk's Swans.
Jonathan de Guzman had put the home side in front midway through a dominant first half, but tactical changes from Palace boss Tony Pulis pulled the visitors back into the contest.
Swansea have now gone six games without a win and appeared to fade after a hectic league and cup schedule.