Tottenham escaped Craven Cottage with a point in a 0-0 draw after
Fulham failed to capitalise on their superiority on Saturday
afternoon.
Spurs had Heurelho Gomes to thank for keeping them in
contention with the Brazilian keeper making a string of fine saves.
In the second half alone, he kept out goalbound efforts from
Clint Dempsey and Bobby Zamora, while Damien Duff and Zoltan Gera
also went close. Dempsey struck the woodwork and Gomes was by far
the busier keeper with opposite number Mark Schwarzer scarcely
troubled on a comfortable afternoon for Fulham's defence.
When Schwarzer did intervene, it was to produce a brilliant
double save from Peter Crouch and Jermaine Jenas with 10 minutes to
go.
Spurs manager Harry Redknapp opted to start club captain
Robbie Keane - who has recently been playing second fiddle to
Jermain Defoe - alongside Crouch in attack.
The move backfired as Keane was totally ineffective, though
he was hardly helped by the mediocrity around him as Spurs - who
host West Ham on Monday - struggled to make any impression.
After the jubilation at routing Manchester United 3-0 last
Saturday, this goalless draw felt like a comedown for a Fulham side
in magnificent form.
Heading into the first of two London derbies over Christmas -
they also face Chelsea on Monday - Fulham had won four of their
last five matches and were unbeaten in their last seven. And though
they could mount a far stronger case for deserving to win than
Spurs with Zamora impressing yet again, they just lacked a clinical
touch.
Fulham kept faith with the same starting line-up that
dismantled United, though included Andy Johnson on the bench
following his recovery from a groin injury.
One of the goalscorers against the champions, Duff, helped
Fulham make a bright start by testing Gomes from close range. The
Brazilian keeper then had to keep his wits about him as Gera
craftily back healed John Pantsil's pass towards goal.
Fulham continued their impressive start with Gomes tipping a
shot by Danny Murphy over the crossbar and Gera nodding a Duff
corner wide.
Niko Kranjcar found the side netting with a free-kick as
Spurs enjoyed a rare moment of respite from the one-way traffic.
Fulham could have taken the lead in the 24th minute when
Zamora expertly set up Dempsey only for the American to drag a fine
chance wide.
Keane turned left-back Paul Konchesky inside out but Brede
Hangeland was on hand to head clear his cross as Spurs produced an
encouraging passage of play. Aaron Lennon broke free down the right
flank but was dealt with efficiently by Konchesky before firing a
shot straight at Schwarzer.
Fulham were no longer dominating as they had done earlier in
the half but Dempsey hit the crossbar with a 30-yard free-kick to
remind Spurs they could ill afford any lapses in concentration.
Redknapp's side continued to live dangerously as Michael
Dawson was almost caught napping by Gera and at the other end Aaron
Hughes made a great tackle on Keane, who had broken free down the
left.
Kranjcar appealed for am optimistic penalty after being
up-ended by Gera and a match that was meandering aimlessly,
desperately needed a goal.
Zamora almost provided it when he connected cleanly with
Duff's cross but Gomes intervened at the crucial moment. Duff and
Zamora then combined to set up a great chance for Dempsey but the
USA forward's shot did not have enough power on it, allowing Gomes
to save.
It was then Zamora's turn to be denied by Gomes and a
heartbeat later Defoe, who had replaced Keane, stabbed over the
crossbar.
Fulham had Schwarzer to thank for keeping them level after
the Australian first denied Crouch and then Jermaine Jenas with two
brilliant stops.
Duff had a glorious late chance to clinch victory but fired
across the face of goal.
