Gomes stars in cup stalemate

Tottenham had Heurelho Gomes to thank for keeping them in their goalless FA Cup tie with Fulham at Craven Cottage that came alive in the second half.

Gomes made a string of fine saves as Fulham poured forward after the interval to earn his side a quarter-final replay at White Hart Lane on March 24.

The Brazilian prevented Bobby Zamora, Damien Duff, Brede Hangeland and Zoltan Gera scoring in a London derby that lacked any bite until a pulsating second period.

At the other end, Mark Schwarzer kept out Niko Kranjcar and Peter Crouch at the end of the first half, but was hardly involved again.

It was not until the 28th minute that either keeper was extended, Schwarzer palming away a well-struck shot from Kranjcar. The big Australian then had to dive sharply to his left to turn a fine goalbound header by Crouch away from the target.

The second half was not even a minute old when Gera drew a superb save from Gomes. Simon Davies initiated the move with a marauding run down the right followed by a pinpoint cross to the far post where Zamora directed the ball to Gera whose header was well stopped by Gomes.

The Brazilian then had to react sharply to keep out Hangeland's header from a Davies corner.

Duff found the side netting after being set up by Davies and was then denied by another fine save from Gomes following excellent work by Zamora.

Space was opening up for both sides in an increasingly frantic final 10 minutes that saw Zamora fail to connect with a fine chance.

Vedran Corluka almost turned an attempted clearance into his own net - he did not know where the ball was going and Spurs breathed a sigh of relief when the final whistle went.