Plenty of scares but Spurs give Harry ideal tonic

ON the day that Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp announced he could be out for up to six weeks following heart surgery, his team did little to lower his stress levels with a nervous backs-to-the-wall victory at Fulham that kept Spurs fans everywhere biting their nails, even if it ended 3-1.

Redknapp, who underwent surgery in midweek, watched at home on television as Spurs went 2-0 ahead in the first half at Craven Cottage through Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon but then defended for an entire 45 minutes after that and only just hung on in the end following an own goal from Younes Kaboul — with substitute Jermain Defoe finally easing his agony in injury time.

Tottenham had their inspired goalkeeper Brad Friedel to thank for their three points as he made a string of saves from the energetic Mousa Dembele and secured a victory that leaves Spurs fifth in the Premier League, level on points with Chelsea.

That at least will allow Redknapp some breathing space as he continues his recovery over the international break; and given the irrepressible character of the 64-year-old, it’s hard to imagine he will be out for as long as predicted.

“The doctor is telling me I shouldn’t even think about returning for at least four to five weeks,” said Redknapp, almost incapable of staying away from the cameras, in a televised pre-match interview. “But I hope to be back before then.

“I’m not one for sitting about. It’s difficult but I’ve got to do it, I’ve got to take my time really and listen to what the doctors tell me and try not to get too stressed out.

“I think stress is what causes most of your problems anyway so I’m going to try and relax as best I can, watch the game today without getting too stressed — it’s not going to be easy I’m sure — but I’ll be fine, just got to take my time now, make sure when I’m ready I come back and get on with it but not until I get the go ahead from the people in charge.”

Almost as if to ease Redknapp’s stress levels, Tottenham took the lead within 10 minutes at Craven Cottage, a ground they have found difficult in the past.

The goal came from a sweeping move that saw Kyle Walker dance around John Arne Riise to reach the byeline; but there was an element of luck about it too because when the ball was cut back to Aaron Lennon, goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer pushed his cross straight into the path of Gareth Bale — whose shot cannoned into the net off unfortunate Fulham defender David Baird.

In fairness to Fulham, who played at times with energy and verve, they dominated much of the next half hour but were undone on the stroke of half-time by a Tottenham goal of real quality.

Bale, who played high up the pitch all afternoon, linked superbly with Lennon who twisted the Fulham defence one way and then the next before drilling a low left-foot shot past Schwarzer.

The first half was further marred for Fulham manager Martin Jol, who of course was sacked by Spurs in 2007, when full-back Zdenek Grygera suffered what looked a serious knee injury just as referee Walton was about to send both teams to the dressing rooms.

But Fulham responded magnificently, dominating the entire second half and pummelling the Tottenham goal with almost merciless repetition.

If only Jol had a more potent attack — he was missing Andrew Johnson here through injury — Fulham would surely have earned at least a point. But instead veteran goalkeeper Friedel, now aged 40, denied them.

He made three fine stops from livewire Dembele, who moved from midfield to attack in the second half and was a constant threat.

There was also a fine stop from a Baird free-kick and another save to deny Bobby Zamora when the England striker was through on goal.

The only time Fulham broke through was in the 57th minute when a Damien Duff corner was headed against Kaboul by Ledley King — and Friedel for once was powerless to keep the ball out of his own net. And try as they might, they couldn’t find an equaliser.

The biggest drama came in the very final minutes when Walker clearly handled the ball on the floor for what could have been a penalty and then Luka Modric, a bystander for much of the match, made an astonishing goalline clearance from Clint Dempsey’s header.

To make matters worse for Fulham, Spurs sprinted away and made it 3-1 when Adebayor set up substitute Defoe for a last-gasp third — giving the scoreline a completely unbalanced and almost unjustified look.

Redknapp, no doubt, was a relieved man. But this really wasn’t what his heart needed.