Barclays Premier League

Honours even as Spurs hold Cottagers

Tottenham escaped Craven Cottage with a 0-0 draw after Fulham failed to capitalise on their superiority in their Premier League clash.

• Hodgson disappointed to draw

Spurs had Heurelho Gomes to thank for keeping them in contention with the Brazilian keeper making a string of fine saves.

In the second half alone, he kept out goalbound efforts from Clint Dempsey and Bobby Zamora, while Damien Duff and Zoltan Gera also went close.

Dempsey struck the woodwork and Gomes was by far the busier keeper with opposite number Mark Schwarzer only really troubled when he produced a brilliant double save from Peter Crouch and Jermaine Jenas with ten minutes to go.

Spurs manager Harry Redknapp opted to start club captain Robbie Keane - who has recently been playing second fiddle to Jermain Defoe - alongside Crouch in attack.

The move backfired as Keane was totally ineffective, though he was hardly helped by the mediocrity around him as Spurs - who host West Ham on Monday - struggled to make any impression.

After the jubilation at routing Manchester United 3-0 last Saturday, this goalless draw felt like a comedown for a Fulham side in magnificent form.

Heading into the first of two London derbies over Christmas - they also face Chelsea on Monday - Fulham had won four of their last five matches and were unbeaten in their last seven.

And though they could mount a far stronger case for deserving to win than Spurs with Zamora impressing yet again, they just lacked a clinical touch.

Fulham kept faith with the same starting line-up that dismantled United, though included Andy Johnson on the bench following his recovery from a groin injury.

One of the goalscorers against the champions, Duff, helped Fulham make a bright start by testing Gomes from close range.

The Brazilian keeper then had to keep his wits about him as Gera craftily backheeled John Pantsil's pass towards goal.

Fulham continued their impressive start with Gomes tipping a shot by Danny Murphy over the crossbar and Gera nodding a Duff corner wide.

Niko Kranjcar found the side netting with a free-kick as Spurs enjoyed a rare moment of respite from the one-way traffic.

Fulham could have taken the lead in the 24th minute when Zamora expertly set up Dempsey only for the American to drag a fine chance wide.

Keane turned left-back Paul Konchesky inside out but Brede Hangeland was on hand to head clear his cross as Spurs produced an encouraging passage of play.

Aaron Lennon broke free down the right flank but was dealt with efficiently by Konchesky before firing a shot straight at Schwarzer.

Fulham were no longer dominating as they had done earlier in the half but Dempsey hit the crossbar with a 30-yard free-kick to remind Spurs they could ill afford any lapses in concentration.

Redknapp's side continued to live dangerously as Michael Dawson was almost caught napping by Gera and at the other end Aaron Hughes made a great tackle on Keane, who had broken free down the left.

Kranjcar appealed for an optimistic penalty after being up-ended by Gera and a match that was meandering aimlessly desperately needed a goal.

Zamora almost provided it when he connected cleanly with Duff's cross but Gomes intervened at the crucial moment.

Duff and Zamora then combined to set up a great chance for Dempsey but the USA forward's shot did not have enough power on it, allowing Gomes to save.

It was then Zamora's turn to be denied by Gomes and a heartbeat later Defoe, who had replaced Keane, stabbed over the crossbar.

Fulham had Schwarzer to thank for keeping them level after the Australian first denied Crouch and then Jermaine Jenas with two brilliant stops.

Duff had a glorious late chance to clinch victory but fired across the face of goal.

Hodgson disappointed to draw

Roy Hodgson believes Fulham deserved to beat Tottenham after enjoying the better chances in the match.

"In terms of clear-cut goal chances I'd say we deserved to win that," he said. "I thought our first-half performance was really good and we were clearly better. Maybe with any luck we would have entered half-time in front.

"It's nice to know we can match our more famous and expensive opponents. I was lying in bed this morning going through our financial situations.

"I did a calculation in my head of how much this Spurs team cost to assemble, not lamenting but certainly comparing it to what it cost to put our side together. It's a great credit to our club."

Defender Brede Hangeland injured his knee during the warm-up but played the entire match, though he is now a doubt for Monday's derby against Chelsea.

"Hangeland did very well to play because he injured his knee when he slipped in the warm up," Hodgson said. "We decided to give it a go and he showed a lot of courage to get through it because he wasn't himself."

Spurs manager Harry Redknapp was delighted with Heurelho Gomes and claimed the Brazilian is living up to the reputation he had established before making a poor start to life at White Hart Lane.

"Gomes did well. Fulham were dangerous when they got it forward to Zamora early and Gomes made a couple of good saves," he said. "But so did Schwarzer - Crouch's shot in the second half was in all the way. I thought it was a fair point.

"Gomes has improved. He was short of confidence when I first came here last year but he's back to what everyone said he was before I came to the club. People told me in Holland what a great keeper he was and he's showing it. That's three clean sheets on the spin and that's important."

Redknapp insisted there was no shame in drawing with Fulham.

"Fulham beat Manchester United 3-0 last weekend so it's a tough place to come. I've got no problems leaving here with a point."