Fulham 1 Tottenham 3:Tottenham survived a second-half onslaught at Craven Cottage to deny Fulham manager Martin Jol a satisfying victory over his former club. Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon struck to give Spurs a commanding interval lead in a lively London derby, but they were over-run when play resumed.
Fulham dominated with Younes Kaboul’s 57th minute own-goal the direct result of relentless pressure from the rampant home side. But despite their overwhelming superiority, the Cottagers were unable to secure the equaliser after failing to convert a series of chances.
Controversy reigned during a chaotic five-minute spell of injury time when Tottenham right-back Kyle Walker clearly handled the ball, but referee Peter Walton declined to award a penalty. To rub salt into the wound, substitute Jermain Defoe scored with virtually the last kick of the game.
Jol will have felt the disappointment more than anyone as he oversaw his first encounter against his former paymasters since leaving White Hart Lane in acrimonious circumstances three years ago.
The victory was Spurs’ seventh in eight games and places them on the cusp of the Champions League spots with only goal difference separating them from fourth place Chelsea.
Harry Redknapp, watching from home as he continues his recovery from a heart procedure, will be content with the three points but this was not the Tottenham that dazzled against QPR last weekend.
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