Tottenham 0 Fulham 1: Dimitar Berbatov punishes off-form Spurs

Fulham also had goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer to thank for two point-blank saves from substitute Jermain Defoe.

The second league defeat in a row leaves Spurs looking over their shoulders at Arsenal in the race for a top-four spot as their season once again looks in danger of imploding.

Andre Villas-Boas made five changes to the side that needed extra time to defeat Inter Milan. One saw the return of talisman Gareth Bale, who was involved in his side’s best opportunity of the first half.

Bale headed Gylfi Sigurdsson’s corner goalwards but John Arne Riise was on the line to clear after five minutes.

Tottenham have played four games since Fulham last saw the field so it was almost inevitable that tiredness would be a factor and Fulham took control as the half progressed.

The goal came on 52 minutes following good work from Ashkan Dejagah in the midfield. He released Sascha Riether on the right whose low cross was met first time by Berbatov.

Villas-Boas brought on Defoe as Fulham looked to defend their lead. Spurs rarely threatened despite their possession, yet Fulham still had Schwarzer to thank for their third away win of the season.

On 69 minutes the Australian parried away Defoe’s first-time shot and in the final minute he produced an even better reflex save after Clint Dempsey found Bale charging down the right and his smart cross found Defoe in the six-yard box.