Dawson dejected by Tottenham's Capital One Cup exit to Norwich: 'It's hard to take'

Tottenham defender Michael Dawson has admitted the manner of his side’s defeat to Norwich in the Capital One Cup is “hard to take”.

Gareth Bale gave Spurs a deserved second half lead, only for the hosts to notch twice in three minutes at the game’s death to advance to the quarterfinals.

As the game entered stoppage time, Spurs were gifted the chance to take the game to extra time but Clint Dempsey’s effort from the penalty spot was too close to goalkeeper Mark Bunn.

"It's hard to take," Dawson told the club's official website. "It's never easy to lose any football match but the way we lost this one makes it tough. We had all of the possession in the first half and I don't think Norwich had a shot at goal.

"We played a little bit too slowly but came out in the second half and we got at them. After Gareth scored I hoped we would go on and get a second and even a third goal. We felt in complete control. Norwich got a goal from absolutely nowhere and it gave them momentum. To be out of a cup that we've had good runs in over recent years is disappointing.

"But we stick together as a team, we pick ourselves up, and we go again against Wigan at the weekend. We've got plenty of games coming up and we've got to be ready."