I haven't even written anything since last week's mud-wrestling contest with Sheffield United, mainly because I have been working on a "defence" of the manager and the team - you know, the whole "lets have faith in long-term development, we are a young team with a new manager, and look how long it took Ferguson to get his team sorted" kind of thing. I was going to conclude in a similar way to the previous match report - that the most pressing thing on the agenda for the team is to learn to bite back, to go for the ball, take it off the opposition and then pass it around nicely, when appropriate. To learn to adjust, take any chance and go for it. And above all to keep at it for 90 minutes. It is too early to say that the team has completely turned around, but this was a convincing display nonetheless. Arguably, having the mid-week off (due to the UEFA-cup bye) allowed for some productive tactic revision as well as rest.
Last time Spurs played Fulham at Craven Cottage - just a month ago - our midfield was pushed off the ball, this time they pushed back. Didier Zokora and Teemu Tainio were steely and aggressive and made some marvellously clinical tackles. No hole in the midfield today! General aggression seemed to spill over as Michael Dawson, marshalling the defence passionately, and Paul Robinson had a "disagreement", as Robinson pushed Tainio for being in the way and later told Mido, who nearly managed to head in an own goal, to f* off. I'm not thrilled about internal spats, but perhaps it was indicative of the most important thing, the unwavering passion which meant that the lads went for every ball and attacked and defended with the same verve. Fulham played well, Tottenham Hotspur played better.
After an energetic start, the first goal came just on 6 minutes - a long ball from Robinson, headed by Mido and superbly shot by Keane straight past Lastuvka. Fulham attacked and looked dangerous at several corners, but the Spurs defence prevailed, even when at times it looked a little insecure. Mido's efforts at defending can only be deplored and actually forced Robinson to saves, but England's no. 1 was on the ball throughout. Two Fulham players, Diop and Queudrue, were booked for bringing Aaron Lennon down and our wonder of wonders also showed how invaluable he is, even when bullied off the ball.
The second goal, at 68 minutes, was a nearly comical reprise of the first one - another Mido header and a well taken volley from Keane, again straight into goal. Berbatov came on for Mido with 17 minutes to go and immediately showed what he is capable of when he gets the ball. Dribbling past the Fulham defence, his first shot hit the post and he then managed to get control of the rebound and elegantly put it in. The final goal came on 90 minutes; Keane flicked the ball into the box where Berbatov, cleverly remaining onside, chipped it ever so softly over Lastuvka and into the net. A microsecond of stunned silent wonder ensued before players and fans started to celebrate.
Flying wing movement, sturdy midfield movement, crafty defending at the back and beautiful finishing up front. I have a vague feeling that it looked bit shaky at times, but today my memory is highly subjective and entirely biased. For unbiased and balanced match reports, read the Guardian or something. My boys were great. It was moving.
Fulham:
Lastuvka, Volz, Christanval, Knight, Queudrue, Radzinski (Dempsey 67), Diop, Smertin, Davies, Helguson (Montella 62), McBride (John 62)
Subs Not Used: Warner, Bocanegra
Sent Off: Montella
Booked: Diop, Queudrue.
Tottenham
Robinson, Chimbonda, Dawson, Gardner, Young-Pyo Lee, Lennon (Ghaly 83), Zokora, Tainio, Malbranque, Keane, Mido (Berbatov 73)
Subs Not Used: Cerny, Huddlestone, Rocha
Booked: Gardner, Keane.
Goals: Keane 6, 68, Berbatov 77, 90.
Referee: M Halsey
Attendance: 18,655
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