Fulham force Spurs to settle for stalemate

Fulham forced Tottenham to settle for a drab goalless draw at White Hart Lane on Friday.

Roy Hodgson’s side extended their unbeaten run to eight matches with a fourth successive away scoreless draw that did little to spread Christmas cheer to a capacity crowd in north London.

The hosts were surprisingly lacklustre in attack and have now failed to score in their last three matches – a barren run that has brought the revival under Harry Redknapp grinding to a halt.

It took nearly a quarter of an hour for the first attempt on goal but Clint Dempsey’s volley trickled towards Spurs keeper Heurelho Gomes. It was a sign of the disappointing fare to come.

David Bentley tried his luck from long range but Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer stopped the ball with his chest after the effort took a wicked bounce.

Spurs had won the corresponding fixture 5-1 on Boxing Day last year but there were far fewer thrills and spills this time.

Redknapp was forced into a change midway through the first half as Tom Huddlestone picked up a knock, with Jermaine Jenas coming on and slotting into central midfield.

Jenas fired over the crossbar from 25 yards, then Luka Modric went closer with a drive that went just past the post.

Schwarzer pulled off a stunning save after Benoit Assou-Ekotto crossed for Aaron Lennon to meet first time on the volley.

Dempsey threatened again with a bicycle kick that Gomes tipped over the crossbar.

The visitors suffered a blow when midfielder Jimmy Bullard limped off before the interval with Dickson Etuhu on as a replacement.

Fulham were appealing for a penalty when Vedran Corluka held Bobby Zamora just after the break – but refree Peter Walton waved play on.

Redknapp’s response was to bring on Fraizer Campbell, with the striker on loan from Manchester United replacing Bentley, and then Roman Pavlyuchenko for Darren Bent.

Pavlyuchenko’s first touch was a shot that deflected wide for a corner but it was Fulham who finished on top.

Gomes saved from Andrew Johnson with five minutes remaining after the striker got behind Ledley King.