hard-fought 2-1 win for Tottenham away at
Fulham, easing the pressure on Spurs boss
Andre Villas-Boas.
They had to come from behind at Craven Cottage too,
after Ashkan Dejagah fired the hosts ahead after 57
minutes, latching on to Dimitar Berbatov's through-
ball and firing low past Hugo Lloris.
Berbatov was one of Fulham's star performers, just
hours after his agent revealed that the striker would
favour a move away in January.
Spurs laboured in their response, with Jermain Defoe
leading the line as Villas-Boas benched summer
signing Roberto Soldado in an attempt to return to
winning ways in the Premier League.
Their equaliser came from the least likely of sources,
as Vlad Chiriches bagged his first goal for the club
after 72 minutes, smashing home a low half-volley
from 30 yards out.
There was a touch of fortune about the goal too, as
Defoe looked to be in an offside position before
jumping over the ball as it made its way in off the
near post.
Holtby completed Spurs' comeback with another
stunning effort with just five minutes remaining.
The German, brought on as a second half substitute,
cut inside and unleashed an unstoppable effort past
Maarten Stekelenburg, scoring his first Premier
League goal in the process.
In Rene Meulensteen's first game in charge of
Fulham, they came out of the blocks firing as
Berbatov starred in a lone striker role against his
former club.
Defoe had the first opportunity on goal after seven
minutes however, with his low effort stinging the
palms of Stekelenburg.
Alexander Kacaniklic shone from Fulham's midfield,
while Giorgios Karagounis also tested Lloris from
range in an end-to-end first half.
Paulinho spurned the best chance however, having
been played in by Defoe on the break, but, after
evading two challenges in the area, he skewed his
effort high and wide from eight yards.
The second half followed much the same pattern, but
opened up further when Dejagah fired low and hard
past Lloris when played in by a sumptuous Berbatov
ball.
But Spurs hit back eventually after much trying, and
Chiriches long-range effort from a cleared corner was
followed up by Holtby's cracker to hand Villas-Boas a
welcome reprieve in a tough London derby.
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Barclays Premier League
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BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
CRAVEN COTTAGE (ATT 4TH DECEMBER 2013 - KICK
OFF 20:00
Premier League: Rene Meulensteen
began his Fulham era with a draw
against Tottenham
Last Updated: December 4, 2013 9:53pm
Dimitar Berbatov and Etienne Capoue: Battle for the
ball
Sent From David Aniemeka
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