Heurelho Gomes produced three outstanding second-half saves to deny Fulham and secure an FA Cup quarter-final replay for Spurs.Chances were few and far between in a disappointing game with neither side ever taking control of the tie.
And when Fulham stepped up the tempo after the break, Gomes responded to a spell of home pressure by denying headers from Zoltan Gera and Brede Hangeland, before producing a full-length dive to keep out Damien Duff's drive.
The two sides will now meet at White Hart Lane on March 24th.
REACTION:
Roy Hodgson accepted the draw as a fair result and having seen his side produce some impressive away performances recently – most notably against Shakhtar Donetsk – remains confident ahead of the replay.
"I'm only the more disappointed because it was a home game and the advantage now passes over to Tottenham because they have that advantage," said the Fulham manager. "We're pretty evenly matched and I'm disappointed we couldn't get the goal that would put us through.
"We were close at the end but on the basis of the play a draw was a fair result.
"The way we've played recently and the fact we know we can trust the players to give the type of performance they have done today makes us confident.
"But we also know Tottenham are a very good team who are where they are in the league on merit. Harry has brought in some very fine players and we'll be up against."
The fact that Fulham now travel to face Juventus in the Europa League provided consolation for Hodgson.
"It's a wonderful time for the club," he added. "We've had a magnificent February.
"One is always wary that after such a good month the next one will start poorly. I'll quite happily accept the 0-0 today and take this to Juventus.
"I remind the players this is what you're a Premiership player for - there are lots of people in lower divisions who are envious. We should be grateful for that."
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp acknowledged the debt his side owed Gomes who had a difficult afternoon here last season when he appeared to be on his way out of the club.
"Gomes looks different to the goalkeeper who came here in 2008 when I irst arrived," said Redknapp. "He had a terrible time here then but he's a different lad now full confidence who looks what he is - a top keeper.
"He had a bad day here in 2008 but it didn't affect him today."
And he added: "At home we've got a big chance but I bet Shakhtar thought they were favourites for that second leg, but it didn't work out that way.
"That was one of the results of the season - I know how hard it is to go there."
HOW IT HAPPENED:
It was clear from the opening moments that this would be a tightly contested affair and it took 20 minutes before either side created a meaningful opening, a half chance that was spurned by Bobby Zamora. Tottenham shaded the first half without ever truly taking control then after the break Fulham showed the greater initiative but were unable to find a way past Gomes. The quality of both sides' defending will have satisfied the purist but as a spectacle, this tie never really took off.
EXPERT VIEW:
The games are coming thick and fast for Fulham right now and a replay will further clog their fixture list. When that list includes FA Cup quarter-final replays and a Europa League tie, however, it's no surprise that Hodgson is viewing the coming weeks with relish. With Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United already out of the competition, both teams came into this game knowing they had a chance of winning the cup and from that point of view, nothing has changed.
QUOTABLE:
"Rather than see ourselves as victims we should bask in the glory because it's not every year we get to play close to 60 games in a season."
- Hodgson shows he is a workaholic.
FULHAM 0 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 0
PLAYER MARKING:
Fulham (4-4-1-1): Schwarzer 8; Baird 6, Hughes 7, Hangeland 7, Shorey 6; Duff 7, Greening 7, Etuhu 6, Davies 6 (Elm 73, 6); Gera 6, Zamora 5.
Subs (not used): Zuberbuhler, Kelly, Konchesky, Okaka, Riise, Smalling.
Tottenham (4-4-2): Gomes 9; Corluka 6, Bassong 7, Dawson 8, Assou-Ekotto 7; Krancjar 7, Modric 6, Palacios 7, Bale 8; Crouch 5, Pavlyuchenko 5 (Defoe 82, 5).
Subs (not used): Alnwick, Gudjohnsen, Rose, Livermore, Dervite, Townsend.
ATTENDANCE: 24,533
NEXT UP:
- Fulham v Juventus (Away), Europa League 11/03, 2005 GMT
- Tottenham Hotspur v Blackburn Rovers (Home), Premier League 13/03, 1245 GMT
MAN OF THE MATCH:
Heurelho Gomes (Tottenham): It wasn't hard to stand out in a agme like this and the Brazilian provided the few moments of excitement with a series of second half saves.
