Nearly 13,000 fans packed into Craven Cottage to pay tribute to Fulham legend Simon Morgan as the skipper’s eagerly-awaited testimonial saw Jean Tigana’s side hold their own against Premiership outfit Tottenham Hotspur.
Life without David Ginola looked bleak for Spurs, who were outplayed for long periods of this entertaining goalless draw. The visitors handed starts to summer signings Neil Sullivan, Ben Thatcher and Sergei Rebrov. Maik Taylor made an excellent first half stop to thwart Sol Campbell from an early Tottenham corner, but once Fulham settled in their rhythm, the Cottagers completely dominated preceedings.
Sullivan did well to keep out a venomous drive from John Collins seven minutes before half time and, although the arrival of Steffen Iversen did perk the visitors up after the interval, they had to wait more than an hour before the Norwegian international had a sight of goal. Iversen went so close to breaking the deadlock with a deft chip from 25 yards that rolled over the head of a stranded Taylor.
Former Fulham manager Kevin Keegan returned to SW6 to support Morgan’s big night but the long-serving utility man was not able to play due to injury. England boss Kevin Keegan saw Campbell struggle to keep either Barry Hayles or Kevin Betsy quiet. The home side did have the ball in the net through half-time substitute Eddie Lewis, but the American was quickly flagged offside by the assistant referee.
Former Arsenal winger Luis Boa Morte twice rattled the woodwork in the second half. He first crashed a long-range effort against the crossbar after brilliant work by Lewis along the left flank and then clipped the outside of the far post after Sullivan had spread himself well to palm away an 88th minute effort.
Spurs struggled to match Fulham’s industry and looked toothless in the final third without the services of mercurial French winger David Ginola, who joined Aston Villa for £3m last week. Tottenham’s cause was not helped when referee Graham Poll requested the substitution of England international Tim Sherwood after the former Blackburn midfielder committed a succession of reckless fouls shortly after half time.
FULHAM (4-4-2): Taylor; Finnan, Brevett, Melville, Coleman; Davies (Lewis 45), J. Collins, Goldbaek, Clark (Fernandes 78); Betsy, Boa Morte.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR: Sullivan; Carr, Thatcher (Taricco 72), Campbell, Perry; Anderton, Sherwood (Etherington 53), Leonhardsen (Armstrong 72), Clemence; Rebrov, Ferdinand (Iversen 45).
REFEREE: Graham Poll (Tring).
ATTENDANCE: 12,928.
