By Dave P
February 28 2005

A London Derby with a difference - we won. After a days reflection I thought I would do a monday morning redtop type report for this one. A London Derby with a difference - we won.

After a days reflection I thought I would do a monday morning redtop type report for this one. So here in the super soaraway NLP is a report of a match that was one that Spurs needed to win to keep in touch with those above. As a spectator sport football has a habit of throwing up certain games that whilst interesting for the tactician can be frustrating to watch as a spectator. Fulham arrived at White Hart lane with the intention of frustrating and returning to their riverside home with a point. Spurs meanwhile knew they needed to win and with some talk of striker rotation being circulated in the days leading up to the game it was a relief to see Mido and Defoe start. The inclusion of Edman for the injured (and possibly confidence dented Atouba) was no surprise either as was the restart of the wideman from Forests' new Spurs career.

From the kick off until half time we dominated in all areas of the pitch but with the final ball often not quite hitting the high point it was frustrating to watch. Brown and King both had good headers, Browns' being cleared off the line by Cole. We had created plenty of good opportunities but there was always a block or tackle that frustrated by we were under no threat ourselves until a minute before half time when Diop shot well over. Mido was busy without being on target and Defoe was getting no joy either but we did not look under any threat.

The second half was largely no different with Mido again trying a couple of clever header which had they come off would have been good goals, Defoe was still trying hard and maybe (and it is a big maybe) could have had a penalty. We had kept our shape well with Davies and Kelly working well on the right and Edman and Reid doing a fine job on the left. In the middle carrick was passing well (and even tackling from time to time) and Brown was giving a good battling performance but there was no real cutting edge but some credit to Fulham they were sticking to their plan to stop us scoring quite well.

Cole gave way for Collins John for Fulham but there was no change to the overall scheme of things so it was time for a change and the sight of Kanoute warming up started a worry that Joll would try 4-3-3 but those fears were allayed when he replaced Defoe with Kanoute. It appeared to be a change worth a try to overcome the height of the likes of Knight in the fulham defence. Then Reid burst through, was clearly tripped and Neil Barrie gave a decision correctly for a change. Free kick about 20 yards out and Kanoute with his first touch fooled Van der Sar to put the ball in the corner of the net. He did not strike it that hard and I was surprised when Edwin did not move so I have watched the replays with some interest. I am now of the opinion that Van der Sar made a terrible mistake in that he was not actually sure where the goal was. It appears to me he set the wall up too far over, saw the ball go round the wall and assumed it was going wide so did not move. When the ball goes in the net you see Van der Sar bury his head in his hands. 1-0 and no less than we deserved.

Then Fulham came at us for a while and finally force Robinso to make a save. If they had played like that from the start they may have gotten something from the game but it was now obvious we would get another as Keane came on and fluffed one the best sitters he will ever be given the opportunity to score. Kanoute was buzzing and we could have scored three or four in the last ten minutes. We finally made it safe on 90 minutes when Keane (in an offside position) received a through ball, shrugged off the last defender, tok the ball around Van der Sar to tap in a simple goal. 2- 0 and three vital points.

Other results have also gone our way this weekend and we should now have our confidence up for a tricky replay at Forest.