Spurs 1 Fulham 0

Any dreams we had of getting a second consecutive away day victory, after such a long drought, were killed off by a solitary Spurs goal at White Hart Lane this afternoon.

In a game that never really set the world alight, it was the latest media darling boy, Gareth Bale that was the difference between the two sides.

Mark Hughes stuck with the eleven that started at Stoke City, on Boxing Day, and after a slow start to the game it was Spurs that had the first real half chance.

Awarded a free kick, Van der Vaart delivered a ball that struck Murphy, Spurs appealed for a penalty but closer inspection revealed it never hit Murphy`s arm.

Although Fulham were coping with Spurs, it was a little disappointing that the first thirty minutes didn`t produce a shot on target for either side. In fact the first shot on target produced a fine save from Schwarzer when Assou-Ekottu tried his luck from all of thirty-five yards out.

Just as Fulham thought they`d reach half-time unscathed Spurs took the lead. Forty-two minutes had been played when a Van der Vaart free kick saw Bale deflect the ball with his head with the ball going in off the underside of the bar.

Spurs could have scored a second just before the half time whistle went when a Modric through ball to Bale saw the keeper save with his legs.

Half Time - Spurs 1 Fulham 0

Fulham emerged for the second half knowing they had to push forward more to grab an equaliser but they also knew they risked being caught on the counter-attack by a lightning fast Spurs side.

An early opportunity saw Baird deliver a long ball to Duff but the Irishman couldn`t keep his shot down. Murphy then dragged a free kick wide before Johnson almost got his first goal of the season.

The forward, recently back from injury, saw a close range shot palmed away by Gomes and hacked away by Dawson before a lurking Dempsey could pounce.

Pushing forward Fulham were always susceptible to the counter-attack and Bale wasted an opportunity to put the game beyond us by shooting over with his less favoured right-foot.

Lennon, leading a counter-attack blazed over before Modirc and Jenas shot wide and Crouch saw an effort saved.

Back in the drop zone, we need a win against West Brom to restore hope that we will not be dragged into a relegation battle!



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