Match Preview: Tottenham Hotspur v Fulham
White Hart Lane, London N17 - The World Famous Home of the Spurs
Tuesday 26th January 2010, Kick Off 20:00
Premier League, Match 23 (22 for Fulham)
Tottenham Hotspur: 4th in Premier League, 38 points from 66
Fulham: 9th in Premier League, 27 points from 63
Referee: Mike Dean
Assistant referees: Simon Beck & Stephen Child
Fourth official: Kevin Wright
COMMENT:
Tottenham Hotspur host Fulham on Tuesday 26th January at White Hart Lane in the return Premier League match which was played on Boxing Day at Craven Cottage. That match ended in a goalless draw and was memorable for the fine display from Tottenham's Brazilian goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes. Tuesday's match will be the 23rd in the Premier League for Spurs, who are currently in fourth place and the 22nd match for 9th placed Fulham.
Both clubs were involved in FA Cup 4th Round action on Saturday with Spurs drawing 2-2 at home to Leeds United with goals from Peter Crouch and Roman Pavlyuchenko, while Fulham beat Accrington Stanley away 3-1 with goals from Erik Nevland, Damien Duff and Zoltan Gera.
An away trip to Bolton Wanderers in Round Five will be Tottenham's reward if they manage to get past Leeds United, while Fulham have been drawn at home to either Notts County or Wigan Athletic.
Tottenham come into the match having lost just once in their last eight matches in all competitions as they push-on for a hotly contested fourth place finish and the reward of Champions League football next season. By contrast, Fulham travel to N17 having lost their last three Premier League matches as they struggle to repeat the fine form they showed last season which resulted in a Europa League place.
Last season, Fulham had the better of Spurs taking four points out of six with a 2-1 win at Craven Cottage in November followed by a goalless draw at White Hart Lane on Boxing Day. Overall, Fulham have a one match advantage over Spurs during the Premier League era with six wins to Tottenham's five with six games having been drawn.
Fulham's current squad includes many familiar faces for Spurs with Stephen Kelly, Paul Konchesky, Danny Murphy, Bobby Zamora and Simon Davies all having played for Tottenham Hotspur.
TEAM NEWS:
Roman Pavlyuchenko is a doubt for tomorrow night's (Tuesday, January 26) fixture against Fulham at the Lane. The Russian striker was back with a bang against Leeds United on Saturday when he scored within four minutes of coming off the bench to fire us into a 2-1 lead before the visitors' late equaliser. However, Harry Redknapp reported on Monday that Roman had picked up a groin strain. "He's not been able to train today," said Harry. "He's going for a scan to see if there is any damage in there."
Better news saw both Ledley King and Tom Huddlestone back in training on Monday after knee injuries kept them out of Saturday's FA Cup tie. Aaron Lennon is also due for a scan to check the progress of his groin injury. "We'll see how the injury is heeling," said Harry. "He's closer (to a return), but he's not ready yet.
"We've one or two little knocks but otherwise we're not too bad, it's only really the longer-term injuries that remain out." Those longer-term injuries are Benoit Assou-Ekotto (hip), Carlo Cudicini (pelvis, groin) and Jonathan Woodgate (groin).
Fulham have received a huge boost with the surprise news that Bobby Zamora has recovered from a broken collarbone and could be fit to face his former club. Simon Davies is pushing for a starting spot as he steps up his return from a troublesome foot injury. Fulham have Paul Konchesky out with a foot injury, Clint Dempsey and John Pantsil both suffering with knee injuries.
MATCH FACTS:
Head-to-head
• Tottenham and Fulham have met on 68 occasions with Fulham winning only 11 of those matches and Tottenham 33.
• Spurs have only won one of their last seven matches against Fulham, 5-1 on Boxing Day in 2007.
• The Cottagers, though, have not won at White Hart Lane since August 2003 and that remains their only league victory there in 62 years.
Tottenham Hotspur
• Tottenham have failed to score in three out of their last four league games.
• Stoke, Wolves and Hull have all kept clean sheets at White Hart Lane so far this season.
• Tottenham's defeat at Liverpool last week was the first time they had conceded in six league games.
Fulham
• This will be Fulham's fourth successive away match in the league and they have lost the previous three at Chelsea, Stoke and Blackburn.
• The Cottagers haven't lost four in a row in the league since March 2006.
• Fulham have only won three out of 39 Premier League derbies away from home.
LAST MATCH LINE-UPS:
Tottenham Hotspur (D 2-2 Leeds United H):
Gomes, Hutton, Dawson, Bassong, Bale, Kranjcar (71 Pavlyuchenko), Modric, Jenas, Rose (57 Palacios), Defoe, Crouch (71 Keane)
Substitutes: Alnwick, Naughton, Dervite & O'Hara.
Yellow card: Hutton
Goals: Crouch 42, Pavlyuchenko 75
Fulham (W 3-1 Accringhton Stanley A)
Schwarzer, Kelly, Hangeland, Hughes, Kallio (Elm 56), Baird, Gera (Davies 84), Murphy, Duff (Dikgacoi 68), Nevland, Riise
Substitutes: Zuberbuhler, Smalling, Greening & Kamara.
Yellow cards: Baird & Gera
Goals: Nevland 21, Duff 59, Gera 80
MARK LAWRENSON'S PREDICTION (BBC):
Tottenham have gone a couple of games without winning and were poor against Liverpool. Fulham had a good away win at Accrington at the weekend but their league form has not been great of late.
One thing is for sure, Tottenham will create a lot of chances - like they did against Leeds. Although Fulham's away record is much improved under Roy Hodgson, I just don't see them scoring at White Hart Lane.
Verdict: Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Fulham
PREVIOUS MEETINGS:
Saturday's match will be the 129th meeting between Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham.
Here are the results of the previous 128 matches with Spurs' score shown first:
05-Sep-1903
Southern Lge 10,000A D 0 - 0
Southern Lge 10,000A D 0 - 0 21-Sep-03London Lge 3,000H W 2 - 1 Cameron, Kriwan
London Lge 3,000H W 2 - 1 Cameron, Kriwan 02-Jan-04Southern Lge 10,000H W 1 - 0 Warner
Southern Lge 10,000H W 1 - 0 Warner 11-Apr-04London Lge - A W 5 - 1 Berry (2), Cameron, Badger, Copeland
London Lge - A W 5 - 1 Berry (2), Cameron, Badger, Copeland03-Sep-04Southern Lge 17,000H L 0 - 1
Southern Lge 17,000H L 0 - 1 12-Nov-04Western Lge - A D 0 - 0
Western Lge - A D 0 - 0 31-Dec-04Southern Lge 9,000A L 0 - 1
Southern Lge 9,000A L 0 - 1 02-Jan-05Western Lge - H L 0 - 5
Western Lge - H L 0 - 5 30-Sep-05Southern Lge 25,000A D 0 - 0
Southern Lge 25,000A D 0 - 0 18-Oct-05Western Lge 6,000H W 1 - 0 Kyle
Western Lge 6,000H W 1 - 0 Kyle 20-Nov-05Western Lge - A W 3 - 0 Stansfield, Kyle (2)
Western Lge - A W 3 - 0 Stansfield, Kyle (2) 12-Feb-06Southern Lge 18,000H L 0 - 1
Southern Lge 18,000H L 0 - 1 24-Sep-06Southern Lge 13,000H W 5 - 1 Walton, Hewitt, Reid (2), Dow
Southern Lge 13,000H W 5 - 1 Walton, Hewitt, Reid (2), Dow29-Oct-06Southern Lge 20,000A L 1 - 2 Stansfield
Southern Lge 20,000A L 1 - 2 Stansfield 20-May-07Tour - A W 2 - 1 Whyman, Bull
Tour - A W 2 - 1 Whyman, Bull 05-Dec-08Division 2 35,000A W 3 - 2 Minter (2), Steel R
Division 2 35,000A W 3 - 2 Minter (2), Steel R 06-Feb-09F.A. Cup 2 33,008H W 1 - 0 Steel R
F.A. Cup 2 33,008H W 1 - 0 Steel R 10-Apr-09Division 2 22,000H W 1 - 0 Woodward
Division 2 22,000H W 1 - 0 Woodward 06-Dec-09LonCharCupF 17,000N L 1 - 4 Minter
LonCharCupF 17,000N L 1 - 4 Minter 05-Dec-10LonCharCupF 10,000N W 2 - 1 Minter, Middlemiss
LonCharCupF 10,000N W 2 - 1 Minter, Middlemiss 23-Oct-11Lon Prof Charity Fund 3,981H W 3 - 0 Minter, Steel R, Middlemiss
Lon Prof Charity Fund 3,981H W 3 - 0 Minter, Steel R, Middlemiss14-Oct-12Lon Prof Charity Fund - A L 0 - 1
Lon Prof Charity Fund - A L 0 - 1 14-Oct-13LonCharCup2 6,500A W 2 - 0 Middlemiss (2)
LonCharCup2 6,500A W 2 - 0 Middlemiss (2) 06-Feb-15Friendly - H D 2 - 2 Steel, Cantrell
Friendly - H D 2 - 2 Steel, Cantrell 16-Oct-15London Comb1 4,200H W 3 - 1 Banks, Bliss (2)
London Comb1 4,200H W 3 - 1 Banks, Bliss (2) 01-Jan-16London Comb1 5,000A W 2 - 0 Bassett, Lloyd
London Comb1 5,000A W 2 - 0 Bassett, Lloyd 19-Feb-16London Comb2 3,000A L 1 - 3 Steel
London Comb2 3,000A L 1 - 3 Steel 25-Mar-16London Comb2 6,000H W 4 - 0 Lloyd (2), Bliss, Steel
London Comb2 6,000H W 4 - 0 Lloyd (2), Bliss, Steel 21-Oct-16London Comb 4,000A L 1 - 2 Banks
London Comb 4,000A L 1 - 2 Banks 13-Jan-17London Comb 4,000Ho W 1 - 0 Barton
London Comb 4,000Ho W 1 - 0 Barton 06-Oct-17London Comb 6,000Hi W 1 - 0 Banks(pen)
London Comb 6,000Hi W 1 - 0 Banks(pen) 01-Dec-17London Comb 7,000A L 3 - 4 Banks (2), Coomber
London Comb 7,000A L 3 - 4 Banks (2), Coomber 26-Jan-18London Comb 15,000Hi L 0 - 1
London Comb 15,000Hi L 0 - 1 23-Mar-18London Comb 3,000A W 3 - 0 Walden, Potter, Jack
London Comb 3,000A W 3 - 0 Walden, Potter, Jack 27-Apr-18LondComb Sub 5,000A L 0 - 1
LondComb Sub 5,000A L 0 - 1 04-May-18LondComb Sub 2,000Up L 2 - 3 Thomas, Goldthorpe
LondComb Sub 2,000Up L 2 - 3 Thomas, Goldthorpe 07-Sep-18London Comb 8,000A D 2 - 2 Barnard, Thomas
London Comb 8,000A D 2 - 2 Barnard, Thomas 02-Nov-18London Comb 500Ho W 1 - 0 Simons
London Comb 500Ho W 1 - 0 Simons 28-Dec-18London Comb 8,000A L 1 - 3 Banks
London Comb 8,000A L 1 - 3 Banks 22-Feb-19London Comb 10,000Ho L 0 - 2
London Comb 10,000Ho L 0 - 2 19-Apr-19Victory Cup SF 45,000Sb L 0 - 2
Victory Cup SF 45,000Sb L 0 - 2 10-May-19Nat War Fund 5,000H D 2 - 2 Grimsdell
Nat War Fund 5,000H D 2 - 2 Grimsdell 06-Dec-19Division 2 30,000A W 4 - 1 Grimsdell, Minter, Cantrell, Bliss
Division 2 30,000A W 4 - 1 Grimsdell, Minter, Cantrell, Bliss13-Dec-19Division 2 38,000H W 4 - 0 Walden, Minter (2), Bliss
Division 2 38,000H W 4 - 0 Walden, Minter (2), Bliss 14-May-21Friendly - N W 4 - 0 Grimsdell, Banks, Wilson, Bliss
Friendly - N W 4 - 0 Grimsdell, Banks, Wilson, Bliss27-Oct-24LonCharCup1 3,559H W 5 - 1 Osborne, Hargreaves, Elkes (3)
LonCharCup1 3,559H W 5 - 1 Osborne, Hargreaves, Elkes (3)17-Oct-27LonCharCup1 - A L 2 - 6 O'Callaghan, Dimmock (pen)
LonCharCup1 - A L 2 - 6 O'Callaghan, Dimmock (pen)10-Dec-32Division 2 42,111A D 2 - 2 Hunt GS (2)
Division 2 42,111A D 2 - 2 Hunt GS (2) 07-Apr-33Division 2 44,312H D 0 - 0
Division 2 44,312H D 0 - 0 05-Oct-35Division 2 37,298A W 2 - 1 Duncan, Evans W
Division 2 37,298A W 2 - 1 Duncan, Evans W 08-Feb-36Division 2 45,277H D 2 - 2 Sargent, Evans W
Division 2 45,277H D 2 - 2 Sargent, Evans W 19-Dec-36Division 2 20,495A D 3 - 3 Ward (pen), Morrison, Miller
Division 2 20,495A D 3 - 3 Ward (pen), Morrison, Miller24-Apr-37Division 2 21,133H D 1 - 1 Alexander
Division 2 21,133H D 1 - 1 Alexander 16-Oct-37Division 2 29,556A L 1 - 3 Sargent
Division 2 29,556A L 1 - 3 Sargent 26-Feb-38Division 2 34,097H D 1 - 1 Morrison
Division 2 34,097H D 1 - 1 Morrison 15-Oct-38Division 2 46,679H W 1 - 0 Lyman
Division 2 46,679H W 1 - 0 Lyman 18-Feb-39Division 2 26,466A L 0 - 1
Division 2 26,466A L 0 - 1 23-Mar-40FL South C 8,000A W 3 - 2 Morrison, Dix (2)
FL South C 8,000A W 3 - 2 Morrison, Dix (2) 10-Apr-40FL South C 2,000H W 3 - 1 Cox, Morrison (2)
FL South C 2,000H W 3 - 1 Cox, Morrison (2) 07-Jun-41Reg Lge Sth 2,815H W 2 - 1 Ward (pen), Broadis
Reg Lge Sth 2,815H W 2 - 1 Ward (pen), Broadis 01-Nov-41London WarLge 6,000A D 2 - 2 Gibbons, Noble
London WarLge 6,000A D 2 - 2 Gibbons, Noble 02-May-42London WarLge 3,754H W 7 - 1 Broadis, Gibbons (2), Stevens (2), Ludford (2)
London WarLge 3,754H W 7 - 1 Broadis, Gibbons (2), Stevens (2), Ludford (2)26-Apr-43Friendly - H W 3 - 0 Rowley (2), Ludford
Friendly - H W 3 - 0 Rowley (2), Ludford 25-Dec-43Football Lge Sth 16,629H W 2 - 0 Walters, Jones
Football Lge Sth 16,629H W 2 - 0 Walters, Jones 27-Dec-43Football Lge Sth 13,200A W 2 - 0 Ludford, Jones
Football Lge Sth 13,200A W 2 - 0 Ludford, Jones 25-Nov-44Football Lge Sth 14,300H W 2 - 1 Walters, Beasley
Football Lge Sth 14,300H W 2 - 1 Walters, Beasley 28-Apr-45Football Lge Sth 8,000A W 4 - 2 Ward (pen), Ludford, Hall AE, Freeman og
Football Lge Sth 8,000A W 4 - 2 Ward (pen), Ludford, Hall AE, Freeman og09-Mar-46Football Lge Sth 30,000A D 1 - 1 Whitchurch
Football Lge Sth 30,000A D 1 - 1 Whitchurch 16-Mar-46Football Lge Sth 23,211H L 1 - 3 Dix (pen)
Football Lge Sth 23,211H L 1 - 3 Dix (pen) 26-May-46Friendly - H D 2 - 2 Ludford, Burgess
Friendly - H D 2 - 2 Ludford, Burgess 02-Nov-46Division 2 40,762A D 1 - 1 Foreman
Division 2 40,762A D 1 - 1 Foreman 08-Mar-47Division 2 27,715H D 1 - 1 Bennett
Division 2 27,715H D 1 - 1 Bennett 22-Nov-47Division 2 36,147A W 2 - 0 Duquemin, Stevens
Division 2 36,147A W 2 - 0 Duquemin, Stevens 10-Apr-48Division 2 32,490H L 0 - 2
Division 2 32,490H L 0 - 2 04-Dec-48Division 2 36,247A D 1 - 1 Nicholson
Division 2 36,247A D 1 - 1 Nicholson 30-Apr-49Division 2 50,133H D 1 - 1 Duquemin
Division 2 50,133H D 1 - 1 Duquemin 23-Mar-51Division 1 47,391A W 1 - 0 Murphy
Division 1 47,391A W 1 - 0 Murphy 26-Mar-51Division 1 51,862H W 2 - 1 Bennett, Murphy
Division 1 51,862H W 2 - 1 Bennett, Murphy 20-Aug-51Division 1 48,766H W 1 - 0 Medley
Division 1 48,766H W 1 - 0 Medley 29-Aug-51Division 1 33,920A W 2 - 1 Bennett, McClellan
Division 1 33,920A W 2 - 1 Bennett, McClellan 12-Dec-59Division 1 36,772A D 1 - 1 Jones (pen)
Division 1 36,772A D 1 - 1 Jones (pen) 19-Mar-60Division 1 52,189H D 1 - 1 Mackay
Division 1 52,189H D 1 - 1 Mackay 05-Nov-60Division 1 56,270H W 5 - 1 Jones (2), White, Allen (2)
Division 1 56,270H W 5 - 1 Jones (2), White, Allen (2) 25-Mar-61Division 1 38,536A D 0 - 0
Division 1 38,536A D 0 - 0 11-Nov-61Division 1 35,662H W 4 - 2 Jones, White (2), Mackay
Division 1 35,662H W 4 - 2 Jones, White (2), Mackay 17-Apr-62Division 1 43,355A D 1 - 1 Greaves
Division 1 43,355A D 1 - 1 Greaves 10-Nov-62Division 1 39,961A W 2 - 0 Mackay, Jones
Division 1 39,961A W 2 - 0 Mackay, Jones 13-Apr-63Division 1 45,951H D 1 - 1 Greaves
Division 1 45,951H D 1 - 1 Greaves 02-Nov-63Division 1 42,023H W 1 - 0 Greaves
Division 1 42,023H W 1 - 0 Greaves 28-Mar-64Division 1 30,388A D 1 - 1 Greaves
Division 1 30,388A D 1 - 1 Greaves 05-Oct-64Division 1 32,908H W 3 - 0 Norman, Greaves, Saul
Division 1 32,908H W 3 - 0 Norman, Greaves, Saul 13-Feb-65Division 1 27,708A L 1 - 4 Greaves
Division 1 27,708A L 1 - 4 Greaves 04-Sep-65Division 1 28,718A W 2 - 0 Mackay, Clayton
Division 1 28,718A W 2 - 0 Mackay, Clayton 19-Feb-66Division 1 32,244H W 4 - 3 Saul, Jones (3)
Division 1 32,244H W 4 - 3 Saul, Jones (3) 01-Oct-66Division 1 28,628A W 4 - 3 Robertson, Greaves, Gilzean, Venables
Division 1 28,628A W 4 - 3 Robertson, Greaves, Gilzean, Venables11-Feb-67Division 1 43,961H W 4 - 2 Greaves, Gilzean, Jones (2)
Division 1 43,961H W 4 - 2 Greaves, Gilzean, Jones (2) 26-Dec-67Division 1 36,274H D 2 - 2 Jones (2)
Division 1 36,274H D 2 - 2 Jones (2) 30-Dec-67Division 1 30,051A W 2 - 1 Robertson, Jones
Division 1 30,051A W 2 - 1 Robertson, Jones 10-Aug-74Friendly - A W 1 - 0 Peters
Friendly - A W 1 - 0 Peters 10-Sep-77Division 2 31,939H W 1 - 0 Jones
Division 2 31,939H W 1 - 0 Jones 04-Feb-78Division 2 24,763A D 1 - 1 Taylor
Division 2 24,763A D 1 - 1 Taylor 02-Dec-81League Cup 4 30,214H W 1 - 0 Hazard
League Cup 4 30,214H W 1 - 0 Hazard 07-Jan-84F.A. Cup 3 23,398A D 0 - 0
F.A. Cup 3 23,398A D 0 - 0 11-Jan-84F.A. Cup 3 Replay 32,898H W 2 - 0 Roberts, Archibald
F.A. Cup 3 Replay 32,898H W 2 - 0 Roberts, Archibald 20-Aug-84Friendly/Test - H W 3 - 1 Crooks, Allen C (2)
Friendly/Test - H W 3 - 1 Crooks, Allen C (2) 19-Jul-89Friendly Chase Lodge H W 3 - 1 Howells (2), Moran
Friendly Chase Lodge H W 3 - 1 Howells (2), Moran 05-Jan-98F.A. Cup 3 27,909H W 3 - 1 Clemence, Calderwood, Brady
F.A. Cup 3 27,909H W 3 - 1 Clemence, Calderwood, Brady01-Dec-99League Cup 4 18,134A L 1 - 3 Iversen
League Cup 4 18,134A L 1 - 3 Iversen 02-Aug-2000Friendly 12,928A D 0 - 0
Friendly 12,928A D 0 - 0 28-Nov-01League Cup 4 17,006A W 2 - 1 Rebrov, Davies
League Cup 4 17,006A W 2 - 1 Rebrov, Davies 15-Dec-01FA Prem 36,054H W 4 - 0 Ferdinand, Anderton, Davies, Rebrov
FA Prem 36,054H W 4 - 0 Ferdinand, Anderton, Davies, Rebrov24-Mar-02FA Prem 15,885A W 2 - 0 Sheringham, Poyet
FA Prem 15,885A W 2 - 0 Sheringham, Poyet 11-Sep-02FA Prem 16,757A L 2 - 3 Richards, Sheringham
FA Prem 16,757A L 2 - 3 Richards, Sheringham 22-Feb-03FA Prem 34,704H D 1 - 1 Sheringham (pen)
FA Prem 34,704H D 1 - 1 Sheringham (pen) 30-Aug-03FA Prem 33,421H L 0 - 3
FA Prem 33,421H L 0 - 3 31-Jan-04FA Prem 17,024A L 1 - 2 Keane (pen)
FA Prem 17,024A L 1 - 2 Keane (pen) 30-Oct-04FA Prem 21,317A L 0 - 2
FA Prem 21,317A L 0 - 2 26-Feb-05FA Prem 35,885H W 2 - 0 Kanoute, Keane
FA Prem 35,885H W 2 - 0 Kanoute, Keane 24-Sep-05FA Prem 35,427H W 1 - 0 Defoe
FA Prem 35,427H W 1 - 0 Defoe 31-Jan-06FA Prem 21,081A L 0 - 1
FA Prem 21,081A L 0 - 1 17-Sep-06FA Prem 36,131H D 0 - 0
FA Prem 36,131H D 0 - 0 20-Jan-07FA Prem 23,580A D 1 - 1 Chimbonda
FA Prem 23,580A D 1 - 1 Chimbonda 18-Feb-07F.A. Cup 5 18,655A W 4 - 0 Keane (2), Berbatov (2)
F.A. Cup 5 18,655A W 4 - 0 Keane (2), Berbatov (2) 01-Sep-07FA Prem 24,007A D 3 - 3 Kaboul, Berbatov, Bale
FA Prem 24,007A D 3 - 3 Kaboul, Berbatov, Bale 26-Dec-07FA Prem 36,077H W 5 - 1 Keane (2), Huddlestone (2), Defoe
FA Prem 36,077H W 5 - 1 Keane (2), Huddlestone (2), Defoe15-Nov-08FA Prem 25,139A L 1 - 2 Campbell
FA Prem 25,139A L 1 - 2 Campbell 26-Dec-08FA Prem 35,866 H D 0 - 0
FA Prem 35,866 H D 0 - 0 26-Dec-09FA Prem 25,679A D 0 - 0
FA Prem 25,679A D 0 - 0 26-Jan-10FA Prem H
FA Prem HLAST TIME WE MET...
FULHAM 0-0 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Premier League, Craven Cottage, Boxing Day 26th December 2009
A string of fine saves from Tottenham keeper Heurelho Gomes earned his side a point against Fulham. Gomes was in impressive form with the best of his efforts coming when he palmed a Bobby Zamora header wide. The Spurs keeper was beaten by a Clint Dempsey free-kick but that was kept out after it came back off the crossbar.
Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer was rarely called upon but, when he was, he brilliantly kept out a Peter Crouch shot and Jermaine Jenas's follow-up. Schwarzer's double save came late on and made sure his side did not lose a game they had dominated for large spells. But Spurs, who started with top scorer Jermain Defoe on the bench, racked up a third clean sheet in a row for the first time since August 2005.
The display from Gomes also provided redemption of sorts after he had fumbled a shot into his own net when Fulham beat Tottenham last season. The home side have defeated Liverpool and Manchester United at Craven Cottage this season and they have also not been beaten at home since 26 September. It was easy to see why they boast such an impressive recent record as they quickly seized the initiative from Spurs and created plenty of chances.
Fulham cleverly manoeuvred the ball around with a purpose and penetration, with the hold-up play of striker Bobby Zamora proving a regular base from which to launch attacks. Damien Duff had an early well-struck half-volley blocked and then gathered by Gomes before Zoltan Gera's improvised attempt to flick in a low driven John Pantsil cross went straight at the Spurs stopper. Gomes was being kept busy and, when Spurs only managed to clear a corner to Danny Murphy, the Brazilian did well to tip over a left-footed strike from the Fulham midfielder.
The Spurs keeper was beaten when his dive came nowhere near to stopping a 30-yard Dempsey free-kick but the effort rattled the crossbar and stayed out. Tottenham were feeling the strain and their inability to retain possession for any decent length of time was not helping their cause. Aaron Lennon switched from the right to the left flank to try to get some joy but the move had little impact in providing Spurs with any attacking impetus.
Niko Kranjcar's 20-yard free-kick going just wide proved a rare moment of threat from the visitors. Spurs eventually started to pressure Fulham and stopped giving them the time and space to work their passing moves but manager Harry Redknapp's side still lacked a goal threat. And, despite the Cottagers spending a spell on the back-foot, they still forced Gomes into another smart save when the sprawling keeper had to claw away a Zamora header.
Gomes saved a Dempsey strike before he brilliantly denied Zamora again when he palmed another header wide. Schwarzer was called into action late on for Fulham and matched the heroics of his counterpart Gomes by denying Crouch and Jenas. Duff sent a shot wide across goal as Fulham had a late chance but both teams had to settle for a point in an entertaining goalless draw.
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson:
"It was a good game. We played well in first half against a very good Tottenham team.
"We probably had better of the chances but we were also thankful to a great save from Mark Schwarzer.
"I thought for long periods we were threatening and without Gomes we could have had a goal or two."
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp:
"It was a fair result.
"We've had a great start to the season and this is a good away point. We're in good form. I'd love to be able to get the club into the Champions League.
"It is possible. It's the most open league and everybody in the top group has got a chance to make the top four."
Fulham
01 Schwarzer
03 Konchesky
04 Pantsil yellow card
05 Hangeland
06 Baird
18 Hughes
11 Gera
13 Murphy
16 Duff
23 Dempsey
25 Zamora
Substitutes
12 Stockdale
26 Smalling
33 Kallio
20 Etuhu
27 Greening
08 Johnson
10 Nevland
Tottenham Hotspur
01 Gomes
19 Bassong (King 90+3)
20 Dawson
22 Corluka
32 Assou-Ekotto
07 Lennon
08 Jenas
12 Palacios
21 Kranjcar (Modric 71)
10 Keane (Defoe 71)
15 Crouch
Substitutes
27 Alnwick
03 Bale
26 King
06 Huddlestone
14 Modric
09 Pavlyuchenko
18 Defoe
Ref: Bennett
Att: 25,679
Tottenham Hotspur Match Preview: Season 2009-10
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