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Andy Johnson can't
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Fulham 2 Tottenham 1
Fulham proved Harry Redknapp is not super human after all as Tottenham slumped to their first defeat under his managerial tenure at Craven Cottage.
It was Tottenham's first defeat in seven matches since Redknapp breezed into White Hart Lane after the sacking of Juande Ramos last month.
But his magic finally ran out as a first-half blunder from Spurs goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes and a clinical 69th-minute finish from Andrew Johnson earned Fulham their second consecutive league victory despite a late consolation efort from Fraizer Campbell.
The home side engineered the first real chance of the afternoon in the 12th minute when some neat footwork from Johnson left Jonathan Woodgate well beaten.
Johnson pulled the ball back from the wing but Danny Murphy's shot was blocked by Vedran Corluka.
Moments later a tremendous 25-yard shot from Clint Dempsey was acrobatically tipped over by Gomes.
Fulham striker Bobby Zamora was booked for a needless handball in the 15th minute as he jumped with Ledley King in the Spurs penalty area.
Paul Konchesky did well to clear the ball under pressure form Jermaine Jenas as Spurs finally managed to put a clever move together.
A shot from Jimmy Bullard was cleared by Woodgate in the 21st minute after Zamora's knock down had presented him with the chance.
Moments later Gomes had to rush out to collect the ball from the feet of Johnson after a delightful chip from Zamora had set the former Everton striker off in pursuit of an opening.
Tottenham were struggling to find any composure and their high balls in to Darren Bent were dealt with comfortably by Fulham's defence.
Spurs should have taken the lead in the 29th minute when Luka Modric's intended cross was deflected off John Pantsil and into the path of Bentley.
The Spurs winger's volley beat Mark Schwarzer but fell just the wrong side of the upright.
| Match Stats |
Fulham |
Tottenham |
| Goals |
2 |
1 |
| Possession |
49% |
51% |
| Goal attempts |
22 |
11 |
| On Target |
13 |
02 |
| Corners |
10 |
3 |
| Off-sides |
1 |
4 |
| Saves |
1 |
11 |
| Fouls |
8 |
10 |
| Yellows |
1 |
0 |
| Reds |
0 |
0 |
| source: Soccernet |
Seconds later Bent should have done better when a long pass from Tom Huddlestone fell at his feet inside the penalty area.
However, the Spurs striker only half-connected with the ball and Schwarzer held on to the shot.
But Fulham were ahead in the 32nd minute thanks to a disastrous blunder from Gomes.
Davies sent a teasing cross into the penalty area and after taking a slight deflection off the head of Woodgate, Gomes allowed the ball to slip through his grasp and into the net.
The goal was credited to former Spurs midfielder Davies, although it was clearly thrown into the net by Gomes.
Redknapp made two changes during the interval as Aaron Lennon replaced Modric and Roman Pavlyuchenko was brought on for Huddlestone.
The changes almost had an instant effect as Lennon burst down the left and crossed for Pavlyuchenko but the Russian striker just failed to connect.
Gomes partially redeemed himself in the 53rd minute when he pulled off a fine save to keep out a ferocious Bullard free-kick.
Tottenham's changes appeared to hinder rather than help them as they still failed to impose themselves on the game.
Fulham's inventiveness continued to keep Spurs on the back foot and heading for their first defeat under Redknapp.
They were lucky to escape a penalty appeal in the 62nd minute when King appeared to handle the ball inside the area.
Spurs started to apply some pressure on the Fulham goal and King was unlucky with a volley that went just too high in the 66th minute.
Moments later Woodgate was penalised some 20 yards out for bringing down Johnson but Bullard's lofted free-kick was collected easily by Gomes.
But Fulham had raised the tempo once again and when Spurs failed to clear Konchesky's corner, Johnson pounced to score their second from six yards in the 69th minute.
Redknapp replaced Bent with rookie striker Campbell and he rewarded the manager with a well-taken strike in the 80th minute but it was too little too late to save Spurs.
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson:
"It was one of best performances of the season, the way we set about them going
forward.
"Our front two were up against two quality centre-halves but I thought we caused
them problems throughout.
"But over the 90 minutes, the way we played and the amount of pressure we put on
the Spurs defence, I don't think we've got any reason to do other than pat ourselves
on the back and to claim the victory."
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp:
"We started in second gear and suddenly looked like we were getting into the game
until we gifted them a goal.
"It was a farcical goal, but he's my goalkeeper. He's got to do the job. This is
the situation I have.
"Gomes is the first-team goalkeeper. His record at PSV Eindhoven tells you he was
a world-class goalkeeper. He made some great saves after the goal, so I have got
to keep believing in him and stay with him.
"The goalkeeping coach has got to work with him. I always think goalkeepers and
their coaches have a special relationship and he's got to get into his head this
week.
Fulham: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky, Dempsey (Gera 87),
Murphy, Bullard (Andreasen 90), Davies, Johnson, Zamora.
Subs Not Used: Zuberbuhler, Nevland, Gray, Kallio, Baird.
Booked: Zamora (15,hb).
Goals:
Davies 33 (Simon Davies sent a cross into the penalty area and after taking a slight deflection off the head of Woodgate, Gomes allowed the ball to slip through his grasp and into the net.),
Johnson 70 (Left-footed into low centre of goal, from the centre of penalty area, from 6 yards out. Assist (header) by Simon Davies from centre of the penalty area.)
Tottenham: Gomes, Corluka, Woodgate, King, Bale, Bentley, Jenas, Huddlestone
(Pavlyuchenko 45), Zokora, Modric (Lennon 45), Bent (Campbell 71).
Subs Not Used: Cesar, Hutton, Dawson, Assou-Ekotto.
Goals: Campbell 81.
Att: 25,139
Ref: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire).