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Result: Lewis Holtby strike sinks Fulham

Lewis Holtby hits a late winner for Tottenham Hotspur in their meeting with Rene Meulensteen's Fulham.

Rene Meulensteen has lost his first game in charge of Fulham, going down 2-1 to Tottenham Hotspur at Craven Cottage.

The visitors threatened in the opening stages as Etienne Capoue threaded a pass through to Jermain Defoe, whose shot was palmed away by Maarten Stekelenburg.

Fulham head coach Rene Meulensteen on the touchline during the match against Tottenham on December 4, 2013© Getty Images

Fulham almost opened up the Tottenham defence in the 12th minute when Alexander Kacaniklic played a through-ball to Dimitar Berbatov, but the Bulgarian's first touch was poor.

Their first clear-cut chance came in the 15th minute when Giorgos Karagounis tested Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris with a stinging effort after good link-up play with John Arne Riise.

Spurs should have taken the lead in the 23rd minute when a neat team move ended with Paulinho blazing a shot over the crossbar from 10 yards out.

Erik Lamela forced an impressive save from Stekelenburg in the 34th minute, the Fulham stopper tipping his deflected drive over the crossbar to keep the scores level at the break.

Tottenham's Vlad Chiriches celebrates after scoring his team's opening goal against Fulham during their Premier League match on December 4, 2013© Getty Images

Spurs started the second period positively and might have gone in front in the 50th minute had Philippe Senderos not produced a vital interception to deny an unmarked Defoe.

Fulham took the lead in the 56th minute against the run of play courtesy of Ashkan Dejagah's first goal for the club, the Iranian international firing Berbatov's nod-on into the bottom corner following sloppy defending from Spurs.

Andre Villas-Boas's side bagged the equaliser they deserved in the 73rd minute through Vlad Chiriches, the Romanian beating Stekelenburg with a clean half-volley into the bottom corner.

There were chances for both sides in the latter stages, but Lewis Holtby's first Premier League goal for Spurs won it for the visitors.

The Germany midfielder drifted in from the right flank and thumped a worthy winner into the top corner, leaving Stekelenburg stranded.

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Fulham head coach Rene Meulensteen on the touchline during the match against Tottenham on December 4, 2013
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