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Sachin Nakrani at The Guardian
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Fulham 0 Tottenham Hotspur 0
Upon the final whistle, the Fulham defender John Pantsil embarked on his customary, joyful lap of honour, waving his arms in the air and mouthing "goodbye". Given the sense of exorcism Heurelho Gomes must have felt following his performance here, it would not have been a surprise to have seen the Tottenham goalkeeper depart the pitch just as happily.
It was following this fixture last season that serious questions were asked about Gomes's credibility. Having failed to convince in games previously, the Brazilian allowed a Simon Davies cross to slip through his fingers and give Fulham the lead. Harry Redknapp, the Tottenham manager, was among those who, afterwards, raised doubts about Gomes's class and it was felt that the goalkeeper was doomed.
But the 28-year-old survived and now looks set to remain in the Spurs side for some time. He went into yesterday's encounter on the back of some encouraging displays and, over the course of 90 Boxing Day minutes, did more than anyone to ensure the visitors left west London with a point.
The highlight of Gomes's show was an eight-minute spell midway through the second half, when he made three reaction saves, two from Bobby Zamora and one from Clint Dempsey. The look of shock and despair that marked the forwards' faces after each chance had been clawed to safety indicated how noteworthy the saves had been.
"He was short of confidence when I came here last year and that showed in what he did [against Fulham]," said Redknapp of the former PSV Eindhoven player. "But he's improved drastically and is now definitely back to his best."
Gomes has now also become the first Tottenham goalkeeper in more than four years to keep three consecutive Premier League clean sheets. Such security bodes well for Spurs as they move into the second half of a season that is sure to test the nerve, as well as the talent, of those who hope to make it into the Champions League.
In that regard, Redknapp was right to see the positives in securing a point against a side that recently beat Manchester United 3-0, but there will be some concerns about the level of performance displayed by the men in purple on a chilly day by the Thames.
Gomes aside, there was a sluggishness to Spurs that provided a stark contrast to the manner in which they performed in their last two games, particularly in the 3-0 win over Manchester City.
Nobody was poorer than Robbie Keane, who was given a surprise start ahead of Jermain Defoe and proceeded to do little to justify his inclusion. His was a disjointed and desperate display, and there is little to indicate the 29-year-old will retain his place for tomorrow's visit of West Ham. Redknapp gave a hint towards that by eventually replacing the Irishman with Defoe.
Robbie Keane's decline can be highlighted by his lack of impact at Craven Cottage today, compared to the major role he played in the same fixture two seasons ago. Despite their lack of verve, the visitors could still have snatched a late winner when Peter Crouch and Jermaine Jenas tested Mark Schwarzer within the space of a few seconds, only for the Australian to share some of Gomes's spotlight by making two low saves.
A goal would have been cruel on Fulham, who were the more inventive of the sides - 15 chances on goal compared with Spurs's six - and who, had it not been for Gomes, would have registered their third league win in four games.
"We were better than Tottenham in the first half and reproduced some of that in the second, when their keeper was forced to make some good saves," said their manager, Roy Hodgson. "We were unlucky not to win the game."
Hodgson was, though, able to reflect on a "great year" for his club. A sentiment that can also be shared by Gomes.
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