Published: 17 March, 2013
by DAN CARRIER at White Hart Lane

Premier League
SPURS 0, FULHAM 1

SPURS boss Andre Villas-Boas faces an end-of-season crisis as his team's fine unbeaten run became a distant memory after being beaten 1-0 at White Hart Lane by Fulham today (Sunday).

Spurs, who had been defeated by Inter Milan on Thursday, had heavy legs as they failed to dictate the tempo in what could be a crucial league defeat in the chase for a top-four spot.

But AVB denied his players were burned out after a gruelling season. He said the team had picked themselves up from defeats before and had the international break to regroup.

He said: “Earlier this season we lost two and then went on an incredible run that raised our confidence. Today the game did not go our way. We had a good start, we were okay defensively and then there was the one moment Fulham scored that made things difficult for us. We had two good chances late on but we did not create as much as we should have done.”

“I don't think it had to do with Milan. We had fresh legs on the pitch. It has been a difficult month for us but we will find our form.”

In an oddly flat first half, Spurs had a Gareth Bale header cleared off the line early on but otherwise found it hard to ignite the spark needed. At times, instead of this being a vital home match in the chase for a top-four spot, there was an air of the end of season about it, as if neither team really had much to play for.

On 51, old boy Dimitar Berbatov broke the deadlock with a simple tap-in after Fulham's Ashkjan Dejagah laid the ball on the plate for the Bulgarian.

Spurs had little to give in answer, though the replacement of Mousa Dembele by Tom Carroll did bring a chink of light into a grey performance. His harrying, probing runs created the best chances that fell to another substitute, Jermain Defoe, but Mark Schwarzer was on hand to block his efforts on both occasions.

SPURS COMMENT by Dan Carrier

WHILE Gareth Bale has become a global brand, his team-mate on the other flank has not garnered headlines, despite putting in the best season of his career. It is no coincidence that the hamstring and groin issues, which has kept Aaron Lennon out of the last two league games, has coincided with two disappointing defeats.

Lennon's influence cannot be underestimated. He has added steel to pace, improved his crossing and created chances for himself. He scares the life out of defenders.

With him on the sidelines, it must be time for Bale to go back on the left wing instead of roaming here and there, to offer the width Spurs are missing without Lennon. With no top-drawer replacement for the right flank, Bale's roving must be curtailed. He needs to hug the touchline until Lennon's back in training.

While two defeats on the spin in March are very disappointing, Spurs are still in contention. It just depends if Lennon's team-mates have the nous to make up for his loss.

Spurs: Lloris, Vertonghen, Parker, Adebayor, Bale, Naughton, Dembele, Dawson, Sigurdsson, Assou-Ekotto, Caulker.

Attendance: 36,004