London: Tottenham kept their small hopes of a top-four finish alive and dented Fulham's survival ambition with a 3-1 win over their London rival in the Premier League on Saturday.
Spurs remained sixth in the standings but cut their deficit to fourth-place Arsenal to four points, though the Gunners have played one game less.
Goals from Paulinho, Harry Kane and Younes Kaboul ended Fulham's good run of two consecutive wins and left Felix Magath's team two points adrift from safety with three games remaining.
Fulham took the better start at White Hart Lane, with Alexander Kacaniklic hitting the side-netting and Hugo Rodallega volleying wide, but Denmark playmaker Christian Eriksen, one of the few positives in Spurs' underachieving season, set up two goals as his team struggled against a combative Fulham side.
Paulinho put Tottenham ahead with a simple tap-in after Eriksen's free kick beat the Fulham defense but Steve Sidwell equalized just two minutes later. Kane restored Tottenham's lead after the interval with a header from Aaron Lennon's cross and Kaboul made it 3-1 as he turned home another good free kick from Eriksen.
"The first was just a cross, the second I really went for goal but it was lucky," Eriksen said. "(I wanted to hit them) hard enough, with enough pace to be difficult for defenders."
Sidwell missed a chance to put Fulham back in the match as he saw his penalty saved by Hugo Lloris following Eriksen's handball in the area 15 minutes from time.
"I was a little bit nervous but luckily Hugo made the save," said Eriksen. "We have to thank him for what he did in this win today, and all season."
Lloris was decisive again in the closing stages, denying Fernando Amorebieta's effort to cap a fine display.
Penalty gives Cardiff a point against Stoke
Peter Whittingham's second-half penalty gave Cardiff a precious point in their fight for Premier League survival.
Whittingham's 50th-minute goal canceled out Marko Arnautovic's penalty - the first spot-kick Cardiff has conceded this season - that was converted during the dying seconds of an otherwise forgettable first half.
Referee Howard Webb appeared to harshly punish Kim for his challenge on former Cardiff player Peter Odemwingie, while Cardiff also saw a later effort by Juan Cala ruled out for offside.
Midtable Stoke has lost just once in the last eight league games but Cardiff remains stuck in the relegation zone, currently two points adrift of possible safety with only three games left.
Swansea win 2-1 at Newcastle
Wilfried Bony scored twice to earn Swansea a crucial 2-1 win at Newcastle as Alan Pardew's team was handed a fifth consecutive loss and booed off the pitch.
Swansea, who moved six points away from the relegation zone with three games remaining, drew level at the stroke of halftime when Bony headed Ben Davies' corner past Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul. Bony added his second from the penalty spot in injury time.
Shola Ameobi opened the scoring for the hosts in the 23rd minute from Luuk De Jong's pass to end his team's four-match goal drought.
Newcastle fans are showing increasing anger, with growing calls for Pardew to step down as manager.
Villa draw 0-0 with Southampton
Aston Villa ended a difficult week by earning a valuable point with a 0-0 draw against Southampton to end a four-game losing streak.
The result puts Villa five points above the relegation zone and provides some relief for manager Paul Lambert, who was without his long-time assistants Ian Culverhouse and Gary Karsa following their suspension by the club. Villa have not disclosed details about the situation.
Southampton are in eighth place despite a poor run of form having lost three of their previous four games, and there was little entertainment value in this match.
Southampton appealed for a penalty with 10 minutes to go when Nathaniel Clyne's cross hit Ryan Bertrand's arm but referee Mason decided it was accidental.
Comments
0 comment