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.