Goals from Simon Davies and Andy Johnson give Fulham the win
Starting Formations
Fulham
4-4-2
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Zamora Johnson
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Davies Murphy Bullard Dempsey
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Konchesky Hangeland Hughes Pantsil
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Schwarzer
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Tottenham
4-4-2
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Modric Bent
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Zokora Huddlestone Jenas Bentley
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Bale King Woodgate Corluka
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Gomes
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Match Report
An excellent display from Fulham was enough give the Whites all three points on Saturday and end Spurs’ recent run of form. Simon Davies’ first goal of the season and another strike from Andy Johnson secured the win.
Roy Hodgson named one change to the team from the previous week’s line-up against Newcastle, with Clint Dempsey replacing Zoltan Gera. Dempsey took up a position on the right flank with Simon Davies playing on the left.
The encounter got off to something of a tentative start with Fulham clearly mindful of their opponent’s fine recent form. Tottenham lined up with a rather conventional 4-4-2 formation, however the eagerness of David Bentley to get forward often resulted in a 4-3-3 shape.
Much of Spurs’ early work coming forward came via counter attacks but these were of limited success thanks to good defensive tracking from both Danny Murphy and Jimmy Bullard.
Fulham were first to create a meaningful chance when, in the 12th minute, Andy Johnson got in behind the Spurs defence on the right flank and cut the ball back from the by line, Simon Davies missed sliding in but Murphy was waiting on the edge of the box. His right footed shot was hit with plenty of force but cannoned off a Spurs defender. Fulham maintained their forward momentum a minute later when Clint Dempsey unleashed a fierce left-footed shot from 25 yards which brought an acrobatic save from Heurelho Gomes.
The Spurs stopper was in action again shortly after when he made hard work of a Jimmy Bullard corner, collecting the ball at the second time of asking.
Bobby Zamora and Andy Johnson combined well in the 19th minute to craft a good chance. John Pantsil’s cross from the right flank was touched back into the path of Johnson by Zamora but ultimately the striker was unable to get over the ball and fired over.
Fulham’s midfield was working hard to control the game, ensuring the Spurs’ midfield men had little time on the ball. Danny Murphy’s exquisite tackle on Tom Huddlestone to set up a Fulham attack was a prime example.
David Bentley came close to finding the target in the 29th minute after Spurs managed to break through Fulham’s midfield – the ball found its way to the winger who drilled his shot just wide. Spurs went close again when Darren Bent managed to get a toe to a raking diagonal pass – thankfully Schwarzer produced a routine catch.
Fulham took the lead in the 32nd minute with Simon Davies’ first goal of the season. The Fulham winger cut in from the left wing and delivered a curling ball into the box, Jonathan Woodgate managed to get a slight flick on the delivery, and that proved enough to deceive Gomes who let the ball slip through his arms and into the back of the net.
Spurs struggled to get out of their own half with any real quality following the goal and were clearly looking forward to half-time in order to settle down and regain some of their earlier organisation.
Fulham won a corner on 42 minutes after fine play from Johnson saw the striker nick the ball off the toe of a Spurs defender. The first corner from Bullard saw the Spurs back line clear the ball awkwardly from under the post – the second was more easily dealt with at the near stick.
Tottenham started the second half with a double substitution. Roman Pavlyuchenko came on for Tom Huddlestone whilst Luka Modric was replaced by Aaron Lennon. Both changes clearly indicated Harry Redknapp’s intentions.
Jimmy Bullard tested Gomes on 53 minutes after Fulham won a free kick for a push on Clint Dempsey. Bullard struck a low and hard shot which was saved in somewhat unorthodox fashion by Gomes. The ball bounced out but was cleared to safety before the rapidly advancing Johnson was able to get near.
Spurs were certainly intent on finding an equalising goal, even though their pattern of play had not drastically changed from the first half, they were pushing plenty of players up the pitch. As the second half progressed, Spurs were increasingly turning to Lennon to provide the ammunition.
Fulham had a good shout for handball turned down on 62 minutes when Andy Johnson tussled with Ledley King in the box. In the defender’s attempt to turn away from Johnson, he clearly looked to have made contact with his hand. Unfortunately the referee did not have a clear view.
Play switched immediately to the other end where Lennon broke clear down the left wing, but his cross was well cut out by Brede Hangeland on the stretch.
Fulham heaped the pressure on Spurs in the build up to the Whites’ second goal of the game on 70 minutes. Tottenham were unable to clear a fine piece of possession play which culminated in a corner for Fulham. Paul Konchesky’s delivery was only partially cleared and eventually fell to Andy Johnson who powerfully swept the ball home from close range.
Gomes was back in action on 72 minutes when he palmed a fierce Jimmy Bullard free kick around the post. Fulham were certainly on the front foot, but with Spurs introducing another attacking option in the shape of Fraizer Campbell, the Whites would have to be mindful at the back.
Spurs got back in contention in the 80th minute through Campbell. The striker finished off a sweeping move from right to left and even though Mark Schwarzer got a touch on the ball, he could not prevent it from rolling into the back of the net.
Fulham passed up a fine scoring opportunity just moments later when Ledley King’s header back was intercepted by Zamora but he could only flick the ball over Gomes and wide of the post.
Zoltan Gera replaced the hard working Clint Dempsey on 87 minutes.
Heurelho Gomes went some way to showing his shot stopping credentials in added time when he flung himself full stretch to keep out a Bullard free kick which was heading for the top corner.
fulhamfc.com Man of the Match
Bobby Zamora
A strong physical presence up front for Fulham, the big striker never stopped working for the cause and was a constant handful for the Spurs defence.