Fulham

0-4

Tottenham Hotspur

 

 

Keane 6, 67, Berbatov 77, 89


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Martin Jol's Tottenham put their names in the hat for the Sixth Round Draw thanks to a thumping win over London rivals Fulham, with a pair of braces from captain Robbie Keane and substitute Dimitar Berbatov.

Keane produced two outstanding strikes either side of half time, that were almost identical in their creation as Mido twice rose highest to meet Robinson clearances and play in Keane.

Berbatov then put the icing on the cake of a very satisfying victory for Spurs as they eased past Fulham and make it through to the last eight of the competition.

Fulham started brightly, with Moritz Volz getting forward in his less recently familiar position of right back. Filling in for the absent Liam Rosenior, Volz almost created the first chance inside two minutes, but his looping cross was merely inches too high for the awaiting Heidar Helguson at the far post.

Despite a vibrant opening from Fulham it was the North London visitors who took the lead through their captain Robbie Keane. Timing his run perfectly, the Irish forward latched on to the expert flick on from Mido and fired the bouncing ball over the stranded Lastuvka.

With Alexey Smertin making his home debut, and Volz forced into playing in defence, it was a new look midfield for Chris Coleman and they struggled to cope with the rhythym of Tottenham once they took the lead.

The first test for Paul Robinson came after 17 minutes, as the England keeper was forced into an acrobatic save from a Brian McBride effort. Deflecting off the footof Anthony Gardner made the shot loop up but Robinson leaped to tip the ball over the bar.

Aaron Lennon was a constant thorn for the Fulham defence, creating havoc with his powerful and dynamic runs he drew challenges from both Boupa Diop and Quedrue that saw both Cottagers booked.

Mido almost gave Fulham a route back into the game as he twice tested the abilities of Paul Robinson. Firstly through a curious lofted back pass from the halfway line that Robinson could only volley into the crowd, then from the resultant throw in Mido got on the end of the throw to head towards his own goal - with Robinson again called into action.

The returning former player Steed Malbranque received a frosty reception from the Fulham faithful, but was unbowed by the boos and constantly looked to create for the visitors.

With renewed urgency in the second period, Coleman sent out his side with attacking intent and a desire to get back in the game quickly.

Boupa Diop fired a warning shot that Robinson required two attempts to gather, and the home side looked eager to retake the iniative and retain their place in The FA Cup.

Coleman brought Collins John and Vincenzo Montella into proceedings but suffered another bolt from the blue as captain Keane came up with another stunning volley to better his first half strike.

Again it was a longball from Robinson that Mido rose to meet, and once more it was Keane on the end of it to power it past Lastuvka.

Fulham almost responded immediately through Moritz Volz as the German defender lashed a left-footed strike that seemed destined for the top corner only for Robinson to deny him.

Within ten minutes of Keane's second Spurs where home and dry as the substitute Dimitar Berbatov scored a simple goal that ended any hopes for Fulham of remaining in The FA Cup.

Berbatov's initial effort was deflected onto the post but fortune favoured the favoured the visitors and the ball came straight back to the Spurs striker who side footed the ball past Lastuvka to send the Tottenham supporters into delirium.

Berbatov then wrapped up the scoring with a delightful chip, before Vincenzo Montella saw red in the closing moments of added time.

Teams:

Fulham: Jan Lastuvka, Moritz Volz, Franck Quedrue, Phillippe Christanval, Zat Knight (c), Heidar Helguson (Vincenzo Montella 62), Tomasz Radzinski (Clint Dempsey 67), Papa Boupa Diop, Brian McBride (Collins John 62), Simon Davies, Alexey Smertin

Subs Not Used: Tony Warner, Carlos Bocanegra

Tottenham Hotspur: Paul Robinson, Pascal Chimbonda, Lee Young-Pyo, Anthony Gardner, Michael Dawson, Didier Zokora, Teemu Tainio, Robbie Keane (c), Mido (Dimitar Berbatov 73), Steed Malbranque, Aaron Lennon (Hossam Ghaly 83)

Subs Not Used: Radek Cerny, Tom Huddlestone, Ricardo Rocha

Referee: Mark Halsey