Barclays Premier League update; Tottenham Hotspur beat Fulham 2-1
Tottenham Hotspur came on top in a London derby against Fulham by 2-1; it also ended the unbeaten start to the season by Fulham. It was the home side that had dominated the first half and took the lead through Diomansy Kamara’s
goal. Spurs though came from behind and the Dutchman Rafael van der Vaart set up Roman Pavlyuchenko to level the proceedings, and in the 2nd half it was Tom Huddlestone who knocked in the winning goal which was almost disallowed for suspicion of
offside.
The goal was initially flagged offside by linesman Martin Yerby; as William Gallas was the man believed to be behind the last defender. But after some consultation it was decided that Huddlestone's shot was well on its way to the
back of the net before Gallas’ run.
The French defender did make a tame effort of helping the ball on its way, but after a short conference between the referees the goal stood much to the dismay of the home crowd and not to mention the furious Mark Hughes on the
touch line.
The team that Harry Redknapp had named was a bit surprising; Spurs had not won at Craven Cottage in last 8 years. However, the visitors did start as the better of the two teams in the first 15 minutes of the game.
The Netherlands midfielder Rafael van der Vaart who was signed minutes before the transfer window closed in summer, was the best player from Spurs for most of the game. He was playing in his favourite position, just behind the
striker. On the right was Luka Modric and the ever improving Gareth Bale was marshalling the left side of midfield. Bale was the man who created the first opportunity of the match but Roman Pavlyuchenko’s shot was well off the target.
After the initial battering Fulham did get hold of the game and kept improving, Kamara got their first best chance of the game but his header went wide from a good cross that came in from Simon Davies' foot.
Luka Modric was the man who gave Fulham their next chance, as he slipped and allowed Hughes to slip in Danny Murphy but his shot also went past the post.
The constant attacks though did pay off, Fulham got the lead as the American Clint Dempsey played an inch perfect ball from just outside the box and Davies got at the end of it. Ledley King somehow missed his run and Davies laid
it off to Kamara who calmly slotted it home for the lead.
The goal seemed to have woken up Tottenham and Harry Redknapp’s team hit back almost instantly. Huddelstone was the man who started the move and slipped one to Bale, and from his first touch the Welshman sent van der Vaart on the
run.
The former Real Madrid player beat 2 men before making his way into the box, and took a shot which bounced off the crossbar. Russian striker Pavlyuchenko was there to pick up the pieces and tapped it home from the goalmouth.
Just before the first half ended, Ledley King was seen limping away and was replaced by Sebastien Bassong in the 2nd half. Aaron Lennon was also sent on to give some pace to Spurs midfield.
In the 2nd half almost from kick off it was van der Vaart who was on the end of a good cross from Lennon, but Mark Schwarzer did well to keep it out.
Lennon after coming on in the 2nd half was in the thick of things right away, as Pavlyuchenko played a neat pass to the English winger and Lennon shot straight at Schwarzer but the score remained 1-1.
Then came the defying moment of the game; it was heart break for the home fans. Fulham had dominated most of the first half and in the 2nd period they did hold their own.
Tom Huddlestone was on the edge of the penalty area and let fly a low drive that beat Schwarzer and went into the net. The linesman flagged it at first but after consultation with the match referee the goal was allowed.
Fulham did have few chances to get level; Kamara wasted at least 2 good chances and the game ended 2-1 in favour of Tottenham.
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