Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Fulham: Crouch, Bentley strikes
uk.eurosport.com
Peter Crouch capitalised on poor Fulham defending to poke home his side's opener in the 27th minute before Bentley, on his first Spurs appearance since December 1, notched with a deflected free-kick on the hour.
A Fulham side containing man of the moment Chris Smalling offered only a limited threat to the home side's hopes of claiming all three points and with a two-goal lead established Spurs coasted home.
Tom Huddlestone had two attempts at goal inside the first three minutes, the first with barely a minute played drawing a smart save from Mark Schwarzer low to his right.
Fulham have become accustomed to the Australian performing with distinction but Schwarzer was culpable for Spurs' first goal on 27 minutes.
Having seemingly stifled Spurs, and causing a worry at the other end too when Heurelho Gomes had to be out quickly to deny Bobby Zamora, Fulham shot themselves in the foot.
Bentley delivered a cross from the right that was missed by Schwarzer and, with Bjorn Helge Riise attempting to let the ball run, Luka Modric nipped in to pass to Crouch who finished from close-range.
20-year-old defender Smalling, who is set to be a Manchester United player from the start of next season, was a key component of Roy Hodgson's well-drilled side as they restricted Spurs initially.
The home side might still have found themselves two goals to the good at the interval though as Modric turned Aaron Hughes inside out before dispatching a shot that dipped narrowly over the bar.
Damien Duff registered Fulham's first attempt on goal with a first-time shot straight at Gomes eight minutes after half-time.
Pretty in possession but lacking any punch, Fulham knew their away day woes would continue when Spurs doubled their lead in fortuitous circumstances on the hour.
After a strong run from the impressive Gareth Bale was ended unfairly by Hughes, Bentley gave a reminder of his abilities with a fiercely struck free-kick that took a deflection off the luckless Riise before leaving Schwarzer wrong-footed.
Bale's involvement in the clincher was fitting as the Wales full-back was about to taste victory for the first time as a Premier League starter after 23 previous appearances without a win.
That stroke of luck decided the outcome and, as Fulham were left ruing their inability to win away from home since the opening day of the season, Spurs could reflect on a comfortable victory.
The three points sees Tottenham remain fourth but, although they are now three points ahead of Liverpool, Redknapp's side can still be overtaken by Manchester City and Aston Villa who both have two games in hand.
Chris Stanton / Eurosport
Source: uk.eurosport.com
uk.eurosport.com
A Fulham side containing man of the moment Chris Smalling offered only a limited threat to the home side's hopes of claiming all three points and with a two-goal lead established Spurs coasted home.
Tom Huddlestone had two attempts at goal inside the first three minutes, the first with barely a minute played drawing a smart save from Mark Schwarzer low to his right.
Fulham have become accustomed to the Australian performing with distinction but Schwarzer was culpable for Spurs' first goal on 27 minutes.
Having seemingly stifled Spurs, and causing a worry at the other end too when Heurelho Gomes had to be out quickly to deny Bobby Zamora, Fulham shot themselves in the foot.
Bentley delivered a cross from the right that was missed by Schwarzer and, with Bjorn Helge Riise attempting to let the ball run, Luka Modric nipped in to pass to Crouch who finished from close-range.
20-year-old defender Smalling, who is set to be a Manchester United player from the start of next season, was a key component of Roy Hodgson's well-drilled side as they restricted Spurs initially.
The home side might still have found themselves two goals to the good at the interval though as Modric turned Aaron Hughes inside out before dispatching a shot that dipped narrowly over the bar.
Damien Duff registered Fulham's first attempt on goal with a first-time shot straight at Gomes eight minutes after half-time.
Pretty in possession but lacking any punch, Fulham knew their away day woes would continue when Spurs doubled their lead in fortuitous circumstances on the hour.
After a strong run from the impressive Gareth Bale was ended unfairly by Hughes, Bentley gave a reminder of his abilities with a fiercely struck free-kick that took a deflection off the luckless Riise before leaving Schwarzer wrong-footed.
Bale's involvement in the clincher was fitting as the Wales full-back was about to taste victory for the first time as a Premier League starter after 23 previous appearances without a win.
That stroke of luck decided the outcome and, as Fulham were left ruing their inability to win away from home since the opening day of the season, Spurs could reflect on a comfortable victory.
The three points sees Tottenham remain fourth but, although they are now three points ahead of Liverpool, Redknapp's side can still be overtaken by Manchester City and Aston Villa who both have two games in hand.
Chris Stanton / Eurosport
Source: uk.eurosport.com
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