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Huddlestone´s controversial strike sinks Fulham

SoccerNews in English Premier League 16 Oct 2010

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Tom Huddlestone gave Tottenham a controversial 2-1 win at Fulham on Saturday after his goal was initially ruled out for offside.

Harry Redknapp’s team trailed to Diomansy Kamara’s first half goal at Craven Cottage, but Roman Pavlyuchenko equalised a minute later to set the stage for Huddlestone’s dubious winner.

Tottenham defender William Gallas appeared to be offside when Huddlestone’s second half strike flashed into the net and the linesman flagged to disallow the goal, only for referee Mike Dean to over-rule the decision to leave Fulham fuming.

With a daunting Champions League trip to Inter Milan looming in midweek, Redknapp shuffled his pack and handed Brazilian midfielder Sandro his full Premier League debut, while Gallas returned from injury to partner Ledley King in defence.

The fifth-placed visitors threatened twice in the early stages as Pavyluchenko latched onto Gareth Bale’s cross and dragged his effort just wide from a tight angle before Sandro tried his luck from long-range.

It was Fulham who should have taken the lead in the 14th minute when Kamara, unmarked just yards from goal, glanced Simon Davies’ corner wide.

Mark Hughes’ side had another glorious chance when Aaron Hughes headed over from Danny Murphy’s cross.

Spurs were struggling to keep the hosts at bay and Fulham left-back Carlos Salcido surged forward before lashing a shot narrowly off-target.

A penalty appeal for handball against Tottenham defender Alan Hutton was waved away, but Fulham finally made the breakthrough in the 30th minute.

Clint Dempsey got past King and crossed for Kamara to fire home his first league goal for almost a year.

But Fulham’s lead lasted just one minute as Rafael Van der Vaart controlled superbly in the box penalty area and chipped against the crossbar, with Pavyluchenko converting the rebound.

A fine save from Spurs goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes kept out Kamara’s half-volley just before half-time, while Redknapp’s team lost King to injury moments later.

Redknapp sent on Aaron Lennon in place of Sandro at half-time and the England winger almost made an immediate impact as his cross picked out Van der Vaart, whose close-range volley was well saved by Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.

Fulham defender Chris Baird forced Gomes into an equally good save with a header from a Davies corner.

But Tottenham took the lead in controversial circumstances in the 63rd minute.

When Huddlestone drove a long-range shot through a crowd of players and into the corner of Schwarzer’s net, it looked as though Gallas was in an offside position and the assistant referee raised his flag to disallow the goal.

But Dean ran over to consult his assistant and infuriated Fulham by awarding the goal.

Fulham tried everything to snatch an equaliser but Salcido failed to pounce on a collision between Gomes and Hutton when he sliced wide from a difficult angle 11 minutes from time.

Hutton could have put the result beyond doubt in the last minute but the defender’s effort was pushed away by Schwarzer.

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