Harry offers no defence as sorry Spurs dismissed

TOTTENHAM face a potentially painful transfer deadline day as they recover from the humiliation of a 4-0 FA Cup defeat at Fulham and consider how to solve a defensive crisis that seems to be ballooning by the day.

The dismissal of centre-back Michael Dawson at Craven Cottage after only 14 minutes adds an extra dimension to their difficulties with William Gallas suffering from a hip injury, Younes Kaboul undergoing knee surgery and both Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate perennially unfit.

The evidence of how hard it is to cope without so many key defenders was bountiful against Fulham as Mark Hughes’ side, in irresistible form, raced into a four-goal lead in the first half and reached the fifth round with a biggest ever victory over their London rivals. It could easily have been more if Fulham had not eased up in the second half and Harry Redknapp is short on time if he wants to strengthen his squad for a crucial period of the season with Tottenham still in contention in the Premier League and Champions League.