Fulham battle but are beaten at Tottenham

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Tottenham 3 Fulham 1

Fulham remain in the bottom three despite a battling display in the derby at White Hart Lane.

They equalised through Steve Sidwell immediately after Paulinho had put Tottenham ahead in the first half, but they were outdone by two second-half goals.

Aaron Lennon crossed for Harry Kane to head the home side back in front just after the break before Younes Kaboul volleyed in Christian Eriksen’s free-kick from close range.

And Hugo Lloris produced an outstanding save to keep out a Sidwell penalty after Eriksen had handled in the area.

Fulham looked to hit Tottenham on the break in the first half and in-form striker Hugo Rodallega twice broke their defensive line early on.

The Columbian striker, whose recent goals beat Aston Villa and Norwich, volleyed well wide of the target before Lloris saved well to deny him a third goal in three games.

Eriksen’s precise free-kick found Paulinho unmarked to tap home Tottenham’s first on 35 minutes but Sidwell hit back two minutes later after pouncing on an error by Ezekiel Fryers.

Lloris was at full stretch to save Rodallega’s header just after Kane had nodded Tottenham back in front.

And the France international’s stop to deny Sidwell from the spot sealed Spurs’ win after Kaboul had doubled their lead.

A 23rd defeat of the season leaves Fulham two points short of safety with just three games to go.

Fulham (4-3-3): Stockdale; Heitinga (Zverotic 66), Amorebieta, Hangeland, Riise; Kvist, Sidwell, Parker (Karagounis 56); Dejagah, Rodallega, Kacaniklic
Subs not used: Stekelenburg, Kasami, Roberts, Woodrow, Bent.

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