Front Page

UK

World

Business

Sci/Tech

Sport

Despatches

World Summary


On Air

Cantonese

Talking Point

Feedback

Text Only

Help

Site Map

Monday, January 5, 1998 Published at 23:20 GMT



Sport: Football

Spurs see off Fulham challenge
image: [ Christian Gross: Under fire but victorious ]
Christian Gross: Under fire but victorious

Spurs boss Christian Gross saw his side sweep aside Kevin Keegan's Fulham to take their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

The 3-1 victory sees the north London club hosting Premiership strugglers Barnsley in the next round.

The match went as the form book would suggest. Premiership quality too much for second division Fulham.

But with Spurs languishing at the foot of the table and Fulham spending over £5m on players recently, some commentators were looking for an upset that was not to be.

The match itself was a lumbering affair, with plenty of action, but few clear chances until teenage midfielder Stephen Clemence scored his first senior goal for Tottenham.


[ image: Clemence congratulated on his first senior goal by Klinsmann]
Clemence congratulated on his first senior goal by Klinsmann
Colin Calderwood added a second nine minutes later to effectively put the tie beyond doubt.

The big moment for 19-year-old Clemence came in the 19th minute when Portuguese winger Jose Domingues found him with a perfectly weighted through ball.

The son of former England keeper Ray Clemence smartly held off the challenge of Fulham's ex-Southampton defender Alan Neilson on the edge of the box before striding on to shoot convincingly wide of goalkeeper Maik Taylor.

The second was a messy goal with effort making the difference rather than skill. The Scotland World Cup defender, Calderwood, playing in midfield, knocked the ball over the line with his knee after Ramon Vega had set up the chance with his persistence at a corner.

Fulham gave themselves a chance to get back into the game after half-time when Matt Lawrence sent over a splendid cross.

It was an open invitation for former Spurs reserve Neil Smith to jab the ball home from close range and spread temporary panic in his old club's defence.

But Spurs restored their two-goal cushion just after the hour when the Fulham keeper was fooled by the bounce of a well-timed header.

Domingues, running clear on the left, picked out Garry Brady with a perfect cross.

Although Taylor plunged to turn the youngster's header against the post, his despairing grab at the rebound became a push which took the ball over the line for a tragic own goal.

Spurs had further chances to put the game clean away. But the Fulham chairman Mohammed Al Fayed will have to spend some more money to allow the Craven Cottage side to again compete with the big-boys.
 





Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage

©

  Internet Links

Tottenham Hotspur

Fulham FC


The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
 
In this section

Collins calls it a day for Scots

Derby double swoop fails

From Special Report
Keegan accused over late night

White Rose rivals meet again

McIlroy tipped for NI role

League to rule on Sky shares

Keane talks to resume

From Special Report
We'll be back for World Cup - Brown

From Special Report
Keegan insists England can triumph

Irish to appeal after brawl

Israel demands soccer sex scandal inquiry

From Special Report
I've rarely seen anything worse

From Special Report
An almost unbelievable turnaround

SA kidnap shocks soccer coach

From Special Report
Police claim play-off success

From Special Report
England book Euro 2000 place

From Special Report
We've a long way to go - Keegan

Turks bury Irish dream

From Special Report
We deserved to qualify - Hendry

Slovenia to make Euro debut

From Special Report
England v Scotland - picture gallery

From Special Report
What they said





Football Contents

Africa