EPL: Spurs vs Fulham (26.12.2007)

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Tottenham 5-1 Fulham

Ledley King made his long-awaited comeback from injury as Tottenham plunged 10-man Fulham into further relegation trouble with a rout at White Hart Lane.

King has been beset by injuries during the last 18 months - it was Boxing Day last year that he picked up a foot problem and he has had knee surgery and a thigh strain since.

Statistics point to Spurs having a greater chance of victory with their skipper in the team - and defeat did not look a prospect after Robbie Keane and Tom Huddlestone put them ahead before the break.

Keane was the cast as the villain on Saturday for missing a penalty against rivals Arsenal but he added another goal in the second half after Clint Dempsey had pulled one back.

Huddlestone and Jermain Defoe scored to complete the scoring and Moritz Volz was dismissed for Fulham.

But for all for the attacking power of Spurs - it was King in defence that was the talk of north London.

Former Spurs boss Martin Jol bemoaned the fact he was denied King's services for a significant time of his reign.

With a turn in results since Juande Ramos took, King's first appearance of the season offered a late Christmas present for Spurs fans.

He was able to settle back into the defence as Fulham struggled to get behind the hosts - when they did King executed two perfectly-timed tackles on Dempsey in the first half to announce his comeback.

There were a couple of shaky moments but King will probably not have an easier afternoon for the rest of the season.

Dempsey had an early shot that flew over the crossbar but Fulham never looked like ending their miserable away form. It is more than a year since they have won a Premier League game on the road.

Caretaker boss Ray Lewington has tried to implement more of a passing game but Fulham did not look threatening with this approach - Lawrie Sanchez's profile was in the matchday programme and his imprint was all over the team.

There was a lack of intensity for the first part of the clash, and only Spurs midfielder Steed Malbranque distinguished himself as an attacking threat.

Jeered by away fans, the former Fulham midfielder was at the heart of most attacks and helped spark the match into life.

Antti Niemi had to save at full-stretch when Dimitar Berbatov headed Malbranque's cross towards the bottom corner - but Spurs were not made to wait long for their opener, in the 27th minute.

Pascal Chimbonda's header found Malbranque in plenty of space on the edge of the area. His shot crashed off the post and Keane tucked away the rebound with a first-time finish.

Keane has been on an amazing run of form, which all started last season against Fulham in the FA Cup last February. From there he scored 29 goals since in 39 games.

The opener appeared to deflate Fulham and their only promising move before the break saw Simon Davies' shot screw wide towards the corner flag.

Malbranque almost finished off a flowing move from the hosts but could not get power on his header - then the second goal came in first half stoppage-time.

Malbranque's cross was tamed by Berbatov and laid back to Huddlestone. Niemi was unsighted and the midfielder's daisy-cutter deceived him.

Fulham were granted a lifeline on the hour mark when Dempsey bundled in from close range.

Hameur Bouazza, a half-time substitute, had his cross met by Dempsey - his first effort was saved by Paul Robinson but the rebound came off the American's arm and trickled in.

But the two-goal cushion was restored a minute later when Keane tapped in with his knee after Berbatov had flicked on Jamie O'Hara's corner.

Lewington responded by bringing on David Healy for Aaron Hughes, while Berbatov was given a breather and Kevin-Prince Boateng was introduced.

Huddlestone added the fourth with 19 minutes remaining, flicking up Aaron Lennon's pass and volleying into the far post from the edge of the area.

With the points safe, King was then taken off for Adel Taarabt for the rest of the victory.

Volz was dismissed late on for two bookings, then Defoe's goal came when Huddlestone powered through and laid the ball back to the substitute.

source: ESPNsoccernet - England - Tottenham v Fulham Report