Spurs extended their unbeaten run in the Premier League to eight games by edging out a resilient Fulham at Craven Cottage this evening.
The visitors were without manager Harry Redknapp, who has recently undergone minor heart surgery, and took the lead ten minutes in.
Kyle Walker surged down the right before laying back to Aaron Lennon, whose cross eventually reached Gareth Bale. The Welshman was credited with the goal after firing a low shot which was inadvertently deflected in by Fulham defender Chris Baird.
The lead was doubled just before the break when Lennon and Bale linked up cleverly down the left before the former drove at Baird, twisting and turning before shooting low into the far corner.
The Cottagers threw everything at Spurs in the second half, peppering Brad Friedel's goal with a number of shots.
They were rewarded in the 57th minute when Ledley King headed a Danny Murphy corner against fellow centre-back Younes Kaboul's back, with the ball finding a way into the net.
Fulham continued to pressurise the Spurs back line and almost found a way through after an almighty scramble in front of Friedel's goal.
From the resulting corner the American keeper pushed away Brede Hangeland's header before Luka Modric also made a last-ditch clearance on the line.
Jermaine Defoe put the game to bed with virtually the last kick of the game, volleying home from Emmanuel Adebayor's cross.
Spurs remain fifth in the table but have a game in hand on the sides above them, while Fulham drop one place to 16th.
Pascal Lemesre
