A goal from former player Dimitar Berbatov saw Tottenham Hotspur sink to a third straight defeat as Fulham earn a rare away win in the Barclays Premier League.
Meanwhile in other overnight matches, Wigan Athletic upstaged Newcastle United 2-1 while Sunderland and Norwich City shared the spoils in a feisty 1-1 draw.
At White Hart Lane, victory would have moved Andre Villas-Boas's side to within two points of second-place Manchester City, but they were unable to find a way past Fulham's excellent goalkeeper, Mark Schwarzer.
Tottenham now find themselves just four points ahead of north London rivals Arsenal, who have a game in hand, in the scramble for Champions League qualification places.
Berbatov's goal turned out to be just enough for Fulham - managed by former Tottenham coach Martin Jol - to taste victory away from Craven Cottage for only the third time in league action this season.
Fulham scored on the counter attack in the 52nd minute, with Berbatov arriving in the box late to steer Sascha Riether's low delivery from the right past goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
It was the first time the Bulgarian had scored at White Hart Lane since Tottenham sold him to Manchester United in August 2008, and he did not celebrate.
Schwarzer pulled off an admirable save to deny Jermain Defoe and the goalkeeper was then quick off his line to get to Carroll's through-ball ahead of Gareth Bale.
The Socceroos stopper then made another fine save to deny Defoe once more after the England international met Bale's cross from the right with another well-struck first-time effort.
At DW Stadium, Arouna Kone struck in the final minute to give Wigan Athletic a 2-1 win at home to Newcastle United that injected fresh momentum into their quest to escape relegation.
Jean Beausejour's first Wigan goal put Roberto Martinez's men ahead in the 19th minute, but Italian full-back Davide Santon drilled home an equaliser in the 72nd minute.
Then, in the 90th minute, Ivorian striker Kone lashed the ball into the roof of the net following a goalmouth scramble to leave Wigan three points from safety with a game in hand on fourth-bottom Aston Villa.
The game had threatened to be overshadowed by a horrendous, knee-high challenge from Wigan midfielder Callum McManaman on visiting defender Massadio Haidara in the first half.
McManaman escaped punishment for the foul, but Haidara had to be stretchered off and Newcastle coach John Carver was sent to the stands after losing his temper at the half-time whistle.
At the Stadium of Light, relegation-threatened Sunderland failed to capitalise on the dismissal of Norwich City goalkeeper Mark Bunn as they were held to a 1-1 draw.
After Wes Hoolahan headed Norwich in front in the 26th minute, the visitors lost Bunn to a straight red card when he handled the ball outside his area.
Craig Gardner levelled for Sunderland with a 40th-minute penalty after a handball by Sebastien Bassong, but Sunderland could find no way past the visitors' 10 men in the second half.
Sunderland have now gone seven games without victory in the Premier League and only sit four points above the relegation zone.
Martin O'Neill's men also face a daunting run of fixtures, with a home game against Manchester United followed by trips to Chelsea and Newcastle United.
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