Match report

SPURS 3-1 FULHAM

Published: Wednesday, 24 March 2010, 10:04PM

Bench boosts Spurs

Harry Redknapp's substitutes climbed off the bench at White Hart Lane to fire Tottenham into the FA Cup semi-finals at the expense of Fulham, who they beat 3-1.

Trailing to Bobby Zamora's opener, Redknapp introduced David Bentley at the interval and the winger levelled within two minutes, then Roman Pavlyuchenko came on and netted his ninth goal in eight games.

Eidur Gudjohnsen, who would not have started if Spurs had all their players fit, then booked a place at Wembley next month to face Redknapp's former club Pompey.

It means Spurs are within sight of finals in three consecutive seasons after winning the Carling Cup in 2008 and falling at the final hurdle a year ago.

For Fulham, it was the 50th game of their long season but they still have Europa League glory to aim for - they just failed to maintain their momentum after an impressive first half against Redknapp's men.

Zamora was one of five former Spurs players in Fulham's side. Another two had early efforts, skipper Danny Murphy with a volley from 25 yards and then Simon Davies unleashed an angled drive towards the top corner that Heurelho Gomes needed to parry.

After his fine form this season, it was no surprise, however, when Zamora opened the scoring after 18 minutes.

Damien Duff was allowed to carry the ball towards the penalty area and as home defenders backed away he slipped the ball through to Zamora, who curled his finish past Gomes and into the bottom corner.

It was Zamora's 17th goal of the season and he looked completely different to the player who arrived at Spurs in 2003 and stayed for just over six unhappy months.

His form has made him an England candidate and after his goal against Juventus last week he is showing Fabio Capello, who was in the stands, he has the taste for the big stage.

The Italian would have noted Zamora also looking after Peter Crouch in his own penalty area when Spurs had set-pieces, then he almost doubled the lead just before the break when Zoltan Gera floated a ball to the far post.

Spurs appeared to be lacking Aaron Lennon's pace but most of their attacks were going through Gudjohnsen. The Iceland forward forced a save from Mark Schwarzer with a backheel and chested the ball down for Luka Modric to fire wide.

But it needed a change to inspire Spurs, so boss Redknapp made his move at the interval, bringing on Bentley and Tom Huddlestone for Niko Kranjcar and Benoit Assou-Ekotto - and it took just 79 seconds for one of his replacements to make an impact.

Stephen Kelly's trip on Gareth Bale earned the Fulham full-back a yellow card, leading to Bentley's inswinging free-kick curling straight in, helped by Vedran Corluka beating the offside trap and ducking under the ball to distract Schwarzer.

Encouraged by the equaliser, Bale drove over the crossbar with a fearsome half-volley, then Bentley almost curled in another free-kick from a similar position - but Schwarzer was ready on that occasion.

Redknapp, however, needed to reorganise as Corluka picked up an apparent ankle knock, leading to Pavlyuchenko being introduced off the bench.

And Redknapp's substitute inflicted immediate damage again. Bentley provided the assist, a looping cross from the right flank that Pavlyuchenko met first time with a volley that beat Schwarzer at the near post.

The next goal came in the 66th minute. Gudjohnsen started the move with a driving run, Modric played him through with a return pass and he flicked the ball past Schwarzer before bundling in.

Duff had a chance to get Fulham back in the tie but his volley was saved by Gomes.

Zamora headed down the tunnel after being replaced with 13 minutes remaining. He was booked for a clash with Sebastien Bassong but escaped a red following a foul on Bale shortly after.



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