Premier League Half time report: Fulham 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur
It was honours even at Craven Cottage as Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur ended the first half at 1-1. There was plenty of fire on display by both London clubs, but neither of the teams made good use of multiple chances created.
Fulham manager Mark Hughes went with a more attacking 4-4-2 formation, while Tottenham started with a more subdued 4-5-1.
It was a positive start, for Tottenham at Craven Cottage - Rafael van der Vaart and Premier League debutant Sandro linked up well as soon as the game started.
Tottenham were just few inches away from opening the scoring early on, as Roman Pavlyuchenko collected Gareth Bale's cross, took a touch, and then screwed just past the far post from the angle.
The away side continued to dominate possession, and Van der Vaart was looking the most threatening player on the wing. The Dutch midfielder continuously made quick runs on the flank and gave the Fulham defence plenty to think about. It was Van der Vaart again who collected the ball just outside the box, made his way into the box and attracted 3 defenders to him. The left footer laid off a nice ball to Pavlyuchenko but the Russian shot wide.
Diomansy Kamara was the man from Fulham to have first good chance at a goal, but he headed wide from a clear position. He was completely unmarked and jumped to meet Simon Davies' corner, but from just few yards out he headed it harmlessly away from goal.
Tottenham had lost some bit in attack, and following an error from Luka Modric, Danny Murphy chipped a cross to the far post where Aaron Hughes leaped to get his head to the chance, but the ball just flashed over Heurelho Gomes' crossbar. It was the closest Fulham got to a goal at Craven Cottage - and after first 15 minutes the hosts were the team controlling things.
Finally the deadlock was broken; Diomansy Kamara made the most of some excellent work by Clint Dempsey and was in the right place at the right time to tap from all of five yards. The goal had suddenly woken up Tottenham, and Fulham's lead lasted no longer than a minute - the visitors owed their goal almost entirely to Rafael van der Vaart, who's sublime turn and chip from 16 yards out came back off the bar, allowing Roman Pavlyuchenko the simplest of tap-ins. The Russian had been threatening for a while and finally got his reward.
The trend continued for last 5 minutes but probably both teams were pleased to hear the half time whistle, and went in for a breather after a pulsating first half.
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