Monday Fulham Stuff (18/03/13)

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/mar/17/tottenham-fulham-match-report


Dimitar Berbatov scores only goal as Fulham beat Tottenham


Tottenham Hotspur 0    
Fulham 1   
Berbatov 52

David Hytner at White Hart Lane


The Guardian, Sunday 17 March 2013 17.17 GMT


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André Villas-Boas had insisted it would be different this time. His man-management and squad rotation during his debut season at Tottenham Hotspur has had an eye on preparing the club to stay the course, rather than run aground in the final months, as they had done in the past two campaigns under Harry Redknapp. This, however, was a third consecutive defeat for the first time on Villas-Boas's watch and it escaped the attention of nobody in the home seats that the blip's timing was eerily familiar.

That the damage was inflicted by Dimitar Berbatov, the club's one-time strutting icon, was an irritating footnote for them while Fulham's victory tasted particularly sweet for the manager Martin Jol, another former White Hart Lane employee, who had previously experienced only defeat at Tottenham's hands. Fulham's first success over their cross-town rivals in 10 years deepened their small patch of purple – they have taken 11 points from an available 18 – and their Premier League survival looks odds-on.

There was levity, unsurprisingly, about Jol. "You hope for a point beforehand but Berbatov promised me ... he said: 'You have to trust me.' I thought he was joking but he said it before the Stoke game last month, when he scored the winner. The only thing he wants is a day off if he scores. I promised him a day off and he scores. He's a remarkable boy."

The mood was more sombre in the Tottenham dressing-room. This is not a crisis for them and Villas-Boas was a snapshot in unflustered cool afterwards, even as he accepted that the situation had become "difficult". Yet there was not much to like about his team's one-paced performance, which sorely wanted for cutting edge in the final third and Villas-Boas admitted that they could not ignore the lessons of recent history. The international break will be a time to regroup and search souls.

"You can't hide from what has happened in the past at Spurs," Villas-Boas said. "We just have to make sure that we are able to fight against what was previously written. If we are able to find our form or confidence and win, then we can end the cycle that Spurs normally have. I am confident we will."

Villas-Boas had started with five of the players who had played the 120 minutes of last Thursday's Europa League defeat against Internazionale at San Siro and four who had not featured at all as he sought the blend to respond to Arsenal's victory at Swansea City on Saturday. Tottenham could feel their rivals' breath on their necks at kick-off time and it is hotter still now.

The manager insisted that the exertions against Inter had not negatively influenced the performance due to the fresh legs on show but there was a flatness about Tottenham, even if the afternoon might have taken a different tone if Gareth Bale's athletically flicked header from Gylfi Sigurdsson's corner had not been cleared off the line by Sascha Riether in the fifth minute.

Jol did not profess to be happy with the first half but nobody could have been. The passing was so dreadful that it felt fitting this was a league fixture taking place on Sunday and the half-time whistle came both as a relief and highlight.

Berbatov mixed a few sublime touches with ridiculous misunderstandings with his team-mates, and followed the latter with his pitying death stare, as frustration and, indeed, apathy was the theme. Bale twisted his right ankle but he was able to resume.

The second period, though, was better and the goal came when Ashkan Dejagah surged forward before releasing Riether, whose low cross was turned home by Berbatov. Dejagah ran to celebrate with Riether, rather than Berbatov, presumably having tired of the Bulgarian's posturing in his direction.

Being Berbatov's Fulham team-mate cannot be easy, unless you are Bryan Ruiz, but the striker's fourth goal in five games and 11th of the Premier League season had soothing properties.

"Berbatov looks like he's sulking and sometimes his body language is not great but it's not against his team-mates," Jol said. "He gets disappointed in himself. I've spoken about this and it's important that we get an understanding of this."

Brede Hangeland missed a free header for 2-0 and after the Tottenham substitute Jermain Defoe had shot at Mark Schwarzer, Dejagah spurned a fine late chance. Defoe almost made Fulham pay, only for Schwarzer to deny him in injury-time with an outstanding reflex save. Tottenham have a fresh worry line.

Man of the match Sascha Riether (Fulham)

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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/9930703/Tottenham-Hotspur-0-Fulham-1-match-report.html


Tottenham Hotspur 0 Fulham 1: match report


Read a full report of the Premier League game between Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham at White Hart Lane on Sunday March 17, 2013, kick-off 15.00 (GMT).


Back with a bang: Dimitar Berbatov's goal against Spurs could hurt his former side's chances of qualifying for the top four Photo: GETTY IMAGES

By Gordon Simpson, White Hart Lane

4:30PM GMT 15 Mar 2013

29 Comments


Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas insisted his team would not let past failures affect them after the club's former striker, Dimitar Berbatov, returned to put a significant dent in their Champions League hopes on Sunday.

The Fulham forward struck early in the second half to earn the visitors all three points and add to what Villas-Boas described as a "difficult month" at White Hart Lane. Defeat means Spurs slip to fourth in the table, just four points clear of bitter rivals Arsenal, who now have a game in hand on them.

Late season struggles are not uncommon here and the scars of last season's dramatic collapse that allowed the Gunners to snatch the final Champions League spot from them have not yet healed.

But Villas-Boas insists Spurs will tackle the weight of history head-on, and he will be hoping for a similar response to the last time they suffered consecutive league defeats, when they went on a run of just one loss in 16.

"You can't hide from what has happened in the past with Spurs," he said. "You can just have another opportunity to fight what is written compared to the past.

"You just have to make sure that we are able to fight against it. It has been a difficult month for us. If we are able to find our form, our confidence, our wins, then we can end that cycle that Spurs normally have. We just have to work hard.

"After our last two Premier League defeats in a row we went on an amazing run. I just hope that it shifts somewhere. We just have to wait for a game that enables us to build on our confidence."

This was certainly a bad end to a difficult week for the north London club. After defeat at Liverpool last week, Spurs unconvincingly edged past Inter Milan in the Europa League on the away goals rule after a 4-1 extra-time loss in the San Siro on Thursday, but it was this lacklustre display that was perhaps the most concerning of all.

Spurs were bereft of ideas for much of the afternoon, and were eventually undone by a rare Fulham attack, finished off, typically, by Berbatov, who swept home Sascha Riether's low cross shortly after half-time.

The Fulham manager, Martin Jol, who was also returning to his former club, revealed that the Bulgarian striker had told him to "trust" him ahead of this match. True to his word, Berbatov netted his 11th of the season and eased any lingering relegation fears for the Cottagers.

Jol said: "Berbatov promised me 'You have to trust me' and I thought he was joking, but he said it before the match against Stoke [when he also scored in a 1-0 win] so he is a wonderful player."

Spurs made five changes from the team that started in the San Siro, but that did not prevent a tired-looking display from them. They did go close after six minutes, when Gareth Bale's header from Gylfi Sigurdsson's corner was cleared off the line by Riether. But they offered little else after that, until they were forced to chase the game in the dying stages.

To make matters worse, they lost defender Michael Dawson to a hamstring injury at half-time, which could rule him out of England duty along with his team-mate Aaron Lennon, who has definitely pulled out.

Fulham had barely looked a threat at all, but they finally woke the match from its slumber with their first shot on target. Ashkan Dejagah released Riether down the right and his low cross was turned in by Berbatov from close range.

Fulham nearly made it 2-0, but Brede Hangeland's header went inches wide of the post. Villas-Boas threw on Jermain Defoe in a bid to spark Spurs into life, and the change worked, as the striker finally began to cause problems for the visitors' backline.

From Steven Caulker's low cross, he fired in a shot that Mark Schwarzer did well to turn away. Then, with time running out, Schwarzer denied him at point-blank range after Bale had centred.

"We couldn't create as much as we normally create and I think we paid a price because of that," said Villas-Boas.

Jol, whose team moved up to tenth and are nine points clear of the relegation zone, added: "We needed the three points. There were a lot of clubs around us with 33. There will be one or two being in that mess and no one wants to be in that bottom three."

TOTTENHAM (4-4-2): Lloris, Naughton, Dawson (Dempsey h-t), Caulker, Vertonghen, Sigurdsson (Defoe 62), Parker, Dembele (Carroll 66), Assou-Ekotto, Bale, Adebayor, Subs: Friedel (g), Walker, Holtby, Livermore. Booked: Dempsey

FULHAM (4-4-2): Schwarzer, Riise, Hangeland, Senderos, Riether, Duff, Sidwell, Karagounis (Enoh 77), Dejagah, Ruiz (Emanuelson 90), Berbatov. Subs: Etheridge (g), Hughes, Richardson, Petric, Rodallega. Booked: Dejagah.
Referee: M Jones (Cheshire).

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http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/tottenham-0-1-fulham-martin-jol-1304800


Tottenham 0-1 Fulham: Spurs old boys Jol and Berbatov dent AVB's top four charge


17 Mar 2013 17:22


The Bulgarian striker got the only goal of the game to bag all three points for the visitors


Dimitar Berbatov came back to haunt his former club as Tottenham's chances of Champions League qualification took a huge blow with a shock defeat against Fulham.

Having scored three goals in his last four matches, Berbatov was always going to be Fulham's main goal threat, but even he could not have imagined how easy it would be to score his first goal at White Hart Lane since leaving Spurs in 2008.

The Bulgarian, who scored 46 goals in two seasons at Tottenham, easily spun off his marker and his mis-timed shot flew past Hugo Lloris to give the Cottagers their first win at White Hart Lane in 10 years.

Although Berbatov refused to celebrate, it must have been pleasing for the 32-year-old to show Spurs what they are missing - the London club having turned down the opportunity to sign the player last summer when he left Manchester United.

The win must have proved even more sweet for Martin Jol, who tasted victory at Spurs for the first time since he was harshly sacked in 2007 after two top-five finishes.

Andre Villas-Boas, on the other hand, will not sleep easily tonight.

Spurs looked jaded after their 120-minute run out in Milan in midweek and they lacked creativity and guile despite the return of Gareth Bale.


Chatting to the ex: Former Spurs boss Martin Jol with AVB
PA


Villas-Boas' side have now lost three successive games for the first time under his stewardship and they sit four points above Arsenal having played one more game.

Given that they have games against Everton, Chelsea and Manchester City to play, most Spurs fans will be wondering if this is the start of a similar slip to the one that cost the club Champions League football last term.

Villas-Boas certainly did himself no favours with his left-field team selection, which saw Benoit Assou-Ekotto start on the wing and Jan Vertonghen at left-back.

Tottenham missed Bale greatly in the 4-1 defeat at Inter Milan in midweek and they benefited from his return during the opening stages.

Gylfi Sigurdsson robbed John Arne Riise of the ball and whipped a dangerous ball towards the Welshman, but he was forced wide by Brede Hangeland.

Sigurdsson found Bale again moments later from a corner, but luckily for Fulham Sascha Riether cleared the forward's goal-bound header off the line.

Thereafter Tottenham started to let their standards drop as the first half became a drab affair.

Spurs' inability to complete even the simplest of passes annoyed the home support, while Fulham's play also lacked quality.

Sigurdsson spooned a volley well over the bar and Scott Parker shot just over from 25 yards as Spurs were restricted to long shots.

Even Bale and Berbatov were off colour, both players mis-placing easy passes on more than one occasion.

The only other event of note in the first period was that Bale needed treatment on an ankle injury after being clipped by Giorgos Karagounis.


1-0: Dimitar Berbatov celebrates his goal
Reuters


A few Spurs fans booed their team off at the break and Villas-Boas responded by throwing on Clint Dempsey at half-time and re-jigging his back four.

The move seemed to work initially. Tottenham had much more energy about them and Bale drew Mark Schwarzer in to his first save of the game.

Fulham then stunned the home crowd by taking the lead through Berbatov. The Bulgarian lost his marker to meet Ashkan Dejagah's cross and bundle the ball past Lloris.

Hangeland almost doubled Fulham's lead moments later when he met Karagounis' corner at the back post, but his effort flew just wide.

Jermain Defoe almost levelled after his introduction, firing a low shot which Schwarzer saved well after some good work by Steven Caulker down the right.

Fulham were still in control of the game, however. Steve Sidwell and Karagounis bossed the midfield while Tottenham looked tired after their midweek exertions.

Kyle Naughton offered some hope by whipping in a brilliant long cross but Adebayor headed wide after out-jumping his marker.

Fulham almost killed the game off with five minutes left when Bryan Ruiz slipped in to the box and crossed for Dejagah but the winger did not test Lloris.

Schwarzer pulled off a brilliant save to deny Defoe in the final minute and Fulham held on in the four minutes of added time as Spurs left the field to a loud chorus of boos from their support.

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http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/tottenham-0-1-fulham-dimitar-berbatov-1771140



The demon Berba: Tottenham old boy Dimi Berbatov sticks knife in for Fulham


17 Mar 2013 22:30

Andre Villas-Boas ponders Spurs' collapse of last season after Dimi delivers on pre-match promise to boss Martin Jol



Back to haunt 'em: Fulham's Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov scores at White Hart Lane
Getty


The demon Berba returned to Spurs and plunged a knife into their Champions League hopes.

Cottagers hero Dimitar Berbatov's 11th goal of the season, seven minutes after half-time, also gave Fulham boss Martin Jol his first win back at White Hart Lane since he was sacked in 2007.

Jol later revealed Berbatov, who scored the winner against Stoke last month, had assured him he would again get the key goal

The Dutchman said: "Before the game you hope for a point but Berbatov promised me. He said 'You have to trust me' and I thought he was joking. But he said it before the match against Stoke and he is a wonderful player.

"The only thing he wants is a day off if he scores and I promised him a day off! He's a remarkable boy."


Thin it to win it: Dimitar Berbatov and Gareth Bale show off their hairlines as Tottenham's hopes of Champions League football recede a bit
Richard Heathcote
 

The shock victory was only the second for Fulham away from home since the end of September. It was also Tottenham's first defeat at home since November 3 – and the first time the side have lost three in a row since the arrival of Andre Villas-Boas.

And the Spurs boss insisted the team would defy claims that they are set for an end-of-season collapse similar to the one that saw their Champions League hopes go up in smoke a year ago.

He said: "You can't hide from what has happened in the past with Spurs.

"It has been difficult month for us. If we are able to find our form and confidence then we can end that cycle. We just have to work hard."

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http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/tottenham-hotspur-0-fulham-1-match-report-dimitar-berbatov-and-martin-jol-enjoy-a-happy-return-to-the-lane-8538009.html

Tottenham Hotspur 0 Fulham 1 match report: Dimitar Berbatov and Martin Jol enjoy a happy return to the Lane


Ed Aarons


White Hart Lane


Monday 18 March 2013



These are testing times for Andre Villas-Boas. After beginning the month with the euphoria of the victory over Arsenal that seemed to confirm the balance of power has finally shifted in north London, March is suddenly turning into a familiar tale of anxiety at White Hart Lane.

In the wake of two successive defeats on the road, this time it was two of Tottenham Hotspur's former employees who inflicted their first home defeat in the league since November. Dimitar Berbatov's scuffed effort six minutes into the second half was enough to seal a triumphant return for the Bulgarian and his Fulham manager Martin Jol, who raised his hands in the air at the final whistle to celebrate what must have been a hugely satisfying result for the man dumped by Spurs in October 2007.

After they seemed dead certs for next season's Champions League, Tottenham's spectacular collapse last season is now in danger of repeating itself. Villas-Boas may have replaced Harry Redknapp in the dugout but the familiar failings at home were all too evident in a poor display which hinted that the confidence built up over a 12-match unbeaten run has all but evaporated.

Since losing 4-2 to Arsenal at the Emirates in November, Tottenham have enjoyed a good record in London derbies, only dropping two points from a maximum of 15. Yet after the jittery display against Internazionale on Thursday night, the return of Gareth Bale to the team after his suspension must have been a relief for Villas-Boas.To accommodate for the absence of Aaron Lennon with a hamstring injury, the Spurs manager shuffled his pack considerably, moving Benoit Assou-Ekotto to the left-wing berth that used to be the Welshman's favoured starting position before his successful move further forward. The versatile Jan Vertonghen was asked to fill in at left-back, while Emmanuel Adebayor was preferred to Jermain Defoe after his crucial goal at San Siro and Kyle Naughton was handed a rare opportunity in his preferred right-back role as Kyle Walker dropped to the bench.

Having stayed at home for the trip to Milan, Bale looked fresh and almost created himself an opportunity in the opening 60 seconds until a timely interception by Brede Hangeland. When a powerful header from Gylfi Sigurdsson's corner was expertly cleared off the line by Sascha Riether in the sixth minute, Jol must have feared the worst. But after weathering the initial Bale storm, Fulham slowly found their feet, with the industry of Greece veteran Giorgios Karagounis and Steve Sidwell blunting Tottenham's attacks at source through the middle. Draws against Arsenal and Chelsea on the road this season have hinted that Jol is finally finding an answer to Fulham's traditionally poor form away from Craven Cottage, although Berbatov was often too isolated on his return to north London.

A Sigurdsson effort that sliced horribly wide of the target in the 23rd minute after good work from Bale and Scott Parker's speculative effort that sailed over the bar were the closest Tottenham came to finding a way through a Fulham back line marshalled superbly by the dominant Hangeland. Bale's shot from distance that flew into the second tier of the stands would have been more at home if he had been playing for Wales at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday; it summed up a frustrating first period for the hosts.

Just before the break, White Hart Lane held its collective breath when Bale went down after slipping under pressure from Karagounis but he hobbled back on following treatment. Something had to change and Villas-Boas threw on former Fulham favourite Clint Dempsey at half-time for Michael Dawson, who was withdrawn after suffering a hamstring strain and will now be assessed ahead of England duty next week.

Five minutes into the second half, Bale tried his luck from distance to sting the gloves of Mark Schwarzer but rather than finally providing the spark for Tottenham, it was rapidly followed by Fulham taking the lead.

A quick break down the right by Ashkan Dejagah put Riether in space and the German delivered an inch-perfect ball into the path of Berbatov. The Bulgarian seemed to scuff his effort but Hugo Lloris dived early and the ball found its way into the corner of the net, to the surprised delight of the visiting supporters.

Stunned into action, Villas-Boas turned to Defoe and the England striker should have done better in the 69th minute when he drilled Caulker's ball into the box straight at Schwarzer.  Tom Carroll then replaced the ineffective Mousa Dembélé and Adebayor missed the target with a header.

As the clock ticked down, Bale was often forced to retreat as deep as the halfway line to pick up the ball from his defenders but he struggled to create an opportunity.

Dejagah should have settled matters four minutes from time when he opted to head Berbatov's cross back across a gaping goal.

In the final minute a cross from the outside of Bale's right boot picked out Defoe, five yards out and apparently offside, but Schwarzer pulled off an outstanding save.

As Jol celebrated, a smattering of boos from the home fans greeted the final whistle but Villas-Boas will know that any more performances like this will mean Thursday night football is the likely outcome once again next season.

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Tottenham 0 Fulham 1


RESPECT ... Dimitar Berbatov did not celebrate his winner


By PAUL JIGGINS

Last Updated: 18th March 2013


TRUST the Demon Berba to stick the knife in.

Dimitar Berbatov returned to Tottenham yesterday and plunged a dagger into the heart of their Champions League hopes.

The Fulham striker's razor-sharp winner seven minutes into the second half left a gaping hole in his old club's top-four dream.

It was his first goal at White Hart Lane since he made his £30million switch to Manchester United in September 2008.

Fulham also had keeper Mark Schwarzer — who pulled off an incredible last-minute save from Jermain Defoe — to thank for pulling off what will rightly be seen by many as almost a giantkilling.

Whether Tottenham can recover from this devastating blow remains to be seen. After going 12 games unbeaten in all competitions, they have now lost three in a row for the first time under boss Andre Villas-Boas.

The defeats at Liverpool and Inter Milan were understandable and maybe even half-expected.

This loss was not.

Tottenham were tipped to win and get their season back on track. Their failure to do so could prove costly.

While they once looked set to launch a bid for second place in the Premier League, they now appear to face a fight to the finish in the top four. This defeat and Chelsea's 2-0 win over West Ham saw AVB's men slip from third to fourth.

If the Gunners win that it really will be squeaky bum time in N17.

Spurs boss AVB, the players and fans will not need reminding that it was about this time last year that their bid to finish third started to go nipples north.

Spurs, under Harry Redknapp, eventually salvaged fourth place before being denied a Champions League spot when Chelsea lifted the trophy against all the odds. Missing out on Europe's elite because of Chelsea was bad enough.

But missing out because of Arsenal does not even bear thinking about.

Spurs still have enough quality and winnable fixtures to make sure that does not happen.

But they will have to perform a damn sight better than this if they are to avoid Thursday nights on ITV4 for a second straight season.

For a club that just reached the last eight of the Europa League and started the day third in the Prem, the atmosphere at White Hart Lane was strangely subdued.

It is not often Fulham's away supporters out-sing their hosts.

To be fair, the Spurs players did little to raise the decibel levels inside the stadium, especially in a dreadful first half. Gareth Bale's sixth-minute header, which was cleared off the line by Sascha Riether, was about as good as it got for the home side before the break.

AVB was dealt another blow when Michael Dawson failed to reappear after half-time having strained his hamstring.

That should have told Spurs it was not going to be their day as they had only lost once this season with Dawson in their line-up. Bale tried to up the tempo and saw a shot saved by Schwarzer in the 51st minute.

But a minute later Spurs were stunned as Berbatov struck after an excellent break upfield.

Ashkan Dejagah released Riether on the right and he outstripped the defence for pace before whipping in a low cross which Berba cleverly clipped past keeper Hugo Lloris for his 11th goal of the season.

It was a typical goal and a typical performance by the Bulgarian.

Apart from a few sublime touches and flicks, he had a quiet afternoon before popping up with the decisive goal.

Berba got a warm reception when his name was announced before kick-off — and in return refused to celebrate wildly.

The Cottagers must have known then they would leave the Lane with at least a point as they had avoided defeat in all of the previous eight games where Berbatov scored. The winning margin could have been even greater, though, as Steve Sidwell's deflected shot almost caught out Lloris before Brede Hangeland headed inches wide at the far post after a corner was flicked on.

Villas-Boas sent on Defoe for Gylfi Sigurdsson and the England striker almost made an impact when his 69th-minute snap shot was blocked by Schwarzer.

Dejagah wasted a glorious chance to head in Fulham's second before Schwarzer pulled off an even better save to deny Defoe again in the 89th minute.

Bale surged down the right and crossed for Defoe, whose first-time shot from six yards out produced a fantastic reflex stop from the Australian.


DREAM TEAM

SUN STAR MAN — SASCHA RIETHER (FULHAM)

TOTTENHAM: Lloris 6, Naughton 6, Dawson 5 (Dempsey 6), Caulker 6, Assou-Ekotto 6, Vertonghen 6, Parker 6, Sigurdsson 5 (Defoe 6), Bale 7, Adebayor 6, Dembele 6 (Carroll 5). Subs not used: Friedel, Holtby, Walker, Livermore. Booked: Dempsey.

FULHAM: Schwarzer 7, Riether 8, Senderos 6, Hangeland 6, Riise 6, Karagounis 6 (Enoh 5), Sidwell 6, Dejagah 7, Duff 5, Berbatov 8, Ruiz 6 (Emanuelson 3). Subs not used: Etheridge, Petric, Richardson, Hughes, Rodallega. Booked: Dejagah.

REF: M Jones 8


Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4846449/Tottenham-0-1-Fulham-Match-report-pictures-and-video-highlights.html#ixzz2NsN17QSl

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Tottenham 0 Fulham 1: Berbatov scores on White Hart Lane return as Spurs suffer European hangover



By Matt Barlow

PUBLISHED:16:53, 17 March 2013| UPDATED:02:48, 18 March 2013

Comments (76)


How Martin Jol enjoyed this one. Broad grins, solid handshakes and bear hugs erupted on the Fulham bench at the final whistle. Nothing personal, mind you.

It was all about the points for  the Fulham manager. The fact Tottenham's annual flirtation with the self-destruct button had received a crafty nudge from a couple of their favourite old boys was merely coincidence.

Jol had drawn up plans to beat Spurs for the first time since he was sacked as their boss and Dimitar Berbatov supplied the key, sweeping in his first goal at White Hart Lane since leaving for Manchester United in September 2008.



Blow: Dimitar Berbatov scored the only goal as Fulham upset Tottenham at White Hart Lane





MATCH FACTS


Tottenham: Lloris, Naughton, Caulker, Dawson (Dempsey 46), Vertonghen, Sigurdsson (Defoe 62), Dembele (Carroll 67), Parker, Assou-Ekotto, Adebayor, Bale.

Subs not used: Friedel, Walker, Holtby, Livermore.

Booked: Dempsey.

Fulham: Schwarzer, Riether, Senderos, Hangeland, Riise, Dejagah, Sidwell, Karagounis (Enoh 77), Duff, Ruiz (Emanuelson 90), Berbatov.

Subs not used: Etheridge, Hughes, Richardson, Petric, Rodallega.

Booked: Dejagah.

Goals: Berbatov 52.

Att: 36,004.


Referee: Mike Jones (Cheshire).


Berbatov declined to celebrate, despite a reception best described as mixed from those fans who once adored him, but they can probably recall him 'celebrating' Tottenham goals in the same moody fashion.

It was a third successive defeat for Andre Villas-Boas and his team.This includes a loss at Inter Milan which did not stop progress into the last eight of the Europa League but Chelsea eased past them into third place in the Barclays Premier League and Arsenal have appeared in the wing mirrors again.

As the stadium emptied into Tottenham High Road in the rain there was none of the euphoria which had followed victory in the North London derby two weeks earlier. Instead, Spurs fans were confronting the threat of another near miss in qualification for the Champions League.

'We can't hide from what has happened in the past,' said  manager Villas-Boas. 'We have the opportunity to fight it. It has been a difficult month. The most important thing is that we have enough games to get out of this situation.

'Merit to Arsenal for getting back into it. We couldn't get a result at Liverpool and the situation has shifted and now they're in with a chance. After the break we must get back to our business.'




Respect: The striker swept in Sascha Reither's cross but didn't celebrate




The first half was strangely subdued, devoid of incident. Perhaps Spurs had been badly dented by their 4-1 beating in Italy. The home fans were quiet and, unusually, the team could not rouse them with any adventure until it was too late.

Gareth Bale, as ever, was the big threat but suffered an injury just before the interval, twisting an ankle in an innocent tangle with Giorgos Karagounis.

Bale needed treatment and trod gingerly for a while on the touchline before returning to the fray. By the start of the second half he was moving freely and Villas-Boas had been forced into a different change, with Michael Dawson off, complaining of a tight hamstring.


Old boy: Berbatov spent two seasons at Spurs before leaving for Manchester United in a big-money move

The Tottenham boss reacted by loosening his tactical grip on Fulham's dangerous right flank. Having originally deployed Benoit Assou-Ekotto on the left to protect Kyle Naughton, he reshuffled and sent on Clint Dempsey.

The game improved greatly but, within seven minutes of the restart, Spurs were behind. The visitors broke down the right and Sascha Riether burst on to a pass from Ashkan Dejagah.

Without a trace of effort Berbatov beat Naughton in the race to reach Riether's low cross and clipped it past Hugo Lloris. He has scored in nine games this season and Fulham have not lost any of them.



Worry: Tottenham's star man Gareth Bale suffered an injury scare




'We were talking before the game and he said "You have to trust me",' said Jol. 'I thought he was joking. He's said it twice now. He said it before the Stoke game and he said it again.

'He's a wonderful player. The only thing he wants is a day off if he scores.'

Fulham won the Stoke game in February too, with a Berbatov goal. His lack of industry may irritate but it is likely to be tolerated if he wins games and accrues points in the quest for survival.


Lacking impact: Bale carried on but couldn't help Spurs avoid defeat at White Hart Lane


Tight: Fulham left back John Arne Riise holds off Tottenham's Gylfi Sigurdsson

'He's a terrific boy if you have a good connection with him,' said Jol. 'It's important to try to get the understanding. He looks like he's sulking and his body language is not great but I spoke about it years ago and it's still the same.

'It's not against his team-mates. He's disappointed in himself sometimes but if you know him he can be a winner. He's very important.' Steve Sidwell and Brede Hangeland went close to extending the lead before Spurs, improved by the introduction of Jermain Defoe and Tom Carroll, gathered momentum.



Stopper: Mark Schwarzer makes a save to deny Jermain Defoe


Delight: Brede Hangeland and Schwarzer celebrate Fulham's win at the final whistle

Mark Schwarzer denied Defoe twice with exceptional saves, the second at point-blank distance, and also dashed out to smother bravely at Bale's feet.

Emmanuel Adebayor, well policed by Hangeland, headed wide as the Spurs effort fizzled out.

It was a 'collective win', according to Jol, and he was right.

As Schwarzer plucked a high cross out of the sky in the final seconds, Berbatov could be found lurking on the left wing with his hands on his hips. For Fulham, the pair equally vital. For Spurs, they have caused a little anxiety.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2294798/Tottenham-0-Fulham-1--match-report-Dimitar-Berbatov-scores-winner-return-White-Hart-Lane.html#ixzz2NsOz8YKP

[White Noise]

Jol praises Berbatov after striker fulfils promise to put Tottenham to the sword


By Paul Hirst, Press Association

PUBLISHED:20:26, 17 March 2013| UPDATED:08:01, 18 March 2013

Comments (3)

Martin Jol hailed Dimitar Berbatov as the Fulham striker lived up to his promise to shoot down his former club Tottenham.

Tottenham's hopes of Champions League qualification took a big blow as they lost 1-0 to the Cottagers thanks to Berbatov's second-half poke past Hugo Lloris.

The 52nd-minute strike was not one of the finest of his career, but it did not matter for Berbatov or Jol, who tasted victory over the club he used to manage for the first time since leaving White Hart Lane in acrimony six years ago.


Matchwinner: Dimitar Berbatov scored the only goal at the game against his former side

Berbatov has now racked up 10 goals for Jol this season, and he was so confident that he would secure a shock victory for the west London club that he told his manager he would do before the match.

Jol said: 'Before the game you hope for a point... but Berbatov came to me and promised me... He said: 'you have to trust me'.

'I thought he was joking. But he said it before the match against Stoke [where he scored the winner] and he is a wonderful player.

'It was one of the best wins ever.'


Time to celebrate: The Bulgarian forward's goal brought Fulham into the top 10

In truth Berbatov's performance was hardly in keeping with the high standards he has set himself throughout his career.

The Bulgarian's passing was woeful at times and he spent much of the match with his hands on his hips or throwing them in the air in frustration at his team-mates.

Jol admits Berbatov is a unique character who needs to be carefully managed, but the Dutchman maintains that the 32-year-old is still one of the best hitmen in the league.

'He's a remarkable boy,' the 57-year-old said.


Calm presence? Manager Martin Jol said Berbatov had promised he would inspire Fulham ti victory

'He's a different personality, but he's said it twice now. Against Stoke before the match and he said it again today.

'The only thing he wants is a day off if he scores. I promised him a day off and he scores!

'He looks like he's sulking and sometimes his body language is not great, but you know that he can be a winner, and he can decide games for you.'

Jol enjoyed three successful seasons in charge of Spurs before he was ruthlessly axed.
Despite the victory, Jol said he took no personal satisfaction from getting one over his former employers.


Old friends? Berbatov and Jol also worked together at Tottenham from 2006 to late 2007

'No, it's only about the three points,' the Dutchman added.

'It's nice that it was here only because White Hart Lane is such a difficult place to go to.'

Spurs were poor throughout today's encounter. Even the simplest of passes went astray while Emmanuel Adebayor, Jermain Defoe, and even the returning Gareth Bale were unable to test Mark Schwarzer until the dying stages.

Villas-Boas has now lost three games on the bounce for the first time since he took over. Tonight he accepted responsibility for the defeat, stating that the 120-minute drain of Thursday's defeat at Inter Milan had nothing do to with the loss.


Uninspired: Tottenham rarely looked like scoring

'It was nothing to do with the players today,' he said. 'The effort and commitment were there. Probably the organisation wasn't, and it is down to us to get to business and correct that.'

Given that Tottenham now sit just four points ahead of Arsenal, who have one match in hand, Villas-Boas accepts comparisons will be drawn between his side's current dip in form and the one that took place under Harry Redknapp last season.

'You can't hide from what has happened in the past with Spurs,' Villas-Boas said.

'You just have to make sure that we are able to fight against it. It has been difficult month for us.


Under pressure: Andre Villas-Boas' side are stuttering at the business end of the season

'If we are able to find our form or confidence and win then we can end that cycle that Spurs normally have. We just have to work hard.'

Villas-Boas confirmed that Aaron Lennon, who missed today's game with hamstring and groin injuries, will not join up with England for their World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Montenegro.

The Portuguese said it was also unlikely that Michael Dawson, who had to be withdrawn at half-time due to a hamstring complaint, would feature for the Three Lions.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2294919/Dimitar-Berbatov-praised-Martin-Jol-Fulham-beat-Tottenham.html#ixzz2NsSgSla4

[White Noise]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21732280



Tottenham 0  Fulham 1

By Mandeep Sanghera


BBC Sport


Comments (364)


Dimitar Berbatov returned to haunt his old club as he grabbed Fulham's winner to dent Tottenham's hopes of a top-four league finish.

Gareth Bale had an early Spurs header cleared off the line by defender Sascha Riether but the home side looked jaded.

Berbatov struck when he slotted in a low Riether cross before team-mate Brede Hangeland headed just wide.

Spurs' Jermain Defoe had a close-range shot brilliantly saved by Mark Schwarzer late on as Fulham held on.

Berbatov did not celebrate his winner against his former employers, although Tottenham's rivals for a top four spot, Arsenal and Everton, who both won on Saturday and have a game in hand, will be overjoyed.

Spurs now lead north London neighbours Arsenal by just four points and are six ahead of the Toffees in the chase for a Champions League spot for next season..

The victory was Fulham's first in 10 games at White Hart Lane since 2003 and will raise fears among Spurs fans over the kind of collapse they suffered towards the end of last season, which ultimately cost them a Champions League place.

The home side, who dropped a place to fourth after Chelsea's win, were not helped by an exhausting Europa League tie, which went to extra-time, at Inter Milan on Thursday night on the back of last Sunday's defeat at Liverpool.

Nevertheless, against a Fulham side which had not played since 2 March, the White Hart Lane outfit struggled to get going.

Bale was back in the Spurs side after being suspended for the trip to Italy and was part of five changes made by manager Andre Villas-Boas.

The Wales international, who was signed by Spurs in 2007 by now-Cottagers boss Martin Jol, quickly went close when his steered header from corner was cleared off the line by Riether.

However, a rusty Fulham's lack of action for two weeks and a tired Tottenham's heavy schedule made for a low-key game as both sides lacked rhythm and sharpness.

Berbatov did put in a dangerous low cross just before half-time, which keeper Hugo Lloris parried and hooked clear before the lurking Bryan Ruiz could pounce.

Match facts

•Tottenham's defeat by Fulham resulted in their first defeat at home since 3 November.
•Fulham manager Martin Jol left Tottenham in 2007 and won for the first time in four league games against his former club.

Villas-Boas brought on ex-Fulham forward Clint Dempsey for injured centre-back Michael Dawson at the break, although his side were dealt a blow after 52 minutes.

Bale had a long-range shot saved by keeper Schwarzer and Fulham went straight up the other end and scored, with Berbatov turning in a low cross from overlapping right-back Riether.

Minutes later, Fulham almost added a second but centre-back Hangeland nodded inches wide after Ruiz flicked on a Giorgos Karagounis corner.

Villa-Boas threw on striker Defoe in a bid to salvage something from the game and the move would have paid off had it not been for Schwarzer's heroics.

Firstly, the Australian keeper saved Defoe's first-time shot from a right-wing Steve Caulker cross.

Schwarzer then pulled off a fantastic reaction save at point-blank range after the England international tried to sidefoot in a Bale cross at the near post. And Fulham saw the game out to inflict a first home defeat on Spurs since 3 November.

Fulham manager Martin Jol: "To get a win here against my old club is fantastic.

"In the first half we restricted them. We knew they could have been a bit tired.

"We could have scored a second goal but we didn't and they could have got a point out of it at the end. Mark Schwarzer made an incredible save and, at the end, it was nerve-racking."