Fulham were denied a victory over Tottenham at Craven Cottage as Heurelho Gomes ensured a 0-0 draw.
Boxing Day encounter lacks punch as Brazilian saves Tottenham
Fulham were denied a victory over London rivals Tottenham at Craven Cottage as a superb display from Heurelho Gomes ensured a 0-0 draw.
It was a Boxing Day encounter that, in truth, lacked punch, but Spurs' Brazilian shot-stopper, a figure of fun when he first arrived in England in 2008, superbly denied Roy Hodgson's men on several occasions.
UEFA Champions League-chasing Spurs could have moved third in the Premier League with a victory but, while Harry Redknapp will be pleased with a third successive clean sheet, it was a frustrating visit to the banks of The Thames.
Tottenham had started well in a goalless first half, but Fulham took charge as the minutes passed and Clint Dempsey was denied when his 30-yard free-kick hit the crossbar.
The second half was a scrappy affair, with both teams favouring almost identical tactics, but in-form Bobby Zamora forced a reflex save as Gomes began to deliver a Man of the Match display.
Tottenham's goalkeeper was again in action shortly after as Fulham's USA international Dempsey was denied from the edge of the box following a counter-attack, before another Zamora nod at goal was expertly tipped away.
Mark Schwarzer was not to be outdone by Gomes as the Fulham goalkeeper dived low to his right to brilliantly save a dipping volley from Peter Crouch, before quickly reacting to Jermaine Jenas' follow-up, in the closing minutes.
Spurs manager Redknapp opted to start club captain Robbie Keane, who has recently been playing second fiddle to Jermain Defoe, alongside Crouch in attack.
Backfired
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 keeper then had to keep his wits about him as Zoltan Gera craftily back-heeled 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.
Crucial moment
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 an optimistic penalty after being upended 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 ace'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 Jenas with two brilliant stops.
Duff had a glorious late chance to clinch victory but fired across the face of goal.
| Fulham |
Team Statistics |
Tottenham Hotspur |
| 0 |
Goals |
0 |
| 0 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 6 |
Shots on Target |
3 |
| 9 |
Shots off Target |
5 |
| 1 |
Blocked Shots |
2 |
| 4 |
Corners |
3 |
| 19 |
Fouls |
13 |
| 1 |
Offsides |
1 |
| 1 |
Yellow Cards |
0 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 74.2 |
Passing Success |
71.1 |
| 21 |
Tackles |
18 |
| 66.7 |
Tackles Success |
77.8 |
| 52.9 |
Possession |
47.1 |
| 46.2 |
Territorial Advantage |
53.8 |
|
