Bocanegra late show stuns Spurs

Fulham's Carlos Bocanegra (R) celebrates his goal with teammate Luis Boa Morte during the English Premiership soccer match Fulham versus Tottenham, at Craven Cottage, in London. Fulham won 1-0.

Carlos Bocanegra's injury-time header saw Fulham beat high-flying Tottenham 1-0 at Craven Cottage.

The United States defender headed home Simon Elliott's free-kick after Tom Huddlestone had fouled Luis Boa Morte to secure the Cottagers' first London derby win of the season.

Spurs had looked set for a point despite playing the final 20 minutes a man down after defender Michael Dawson was sent-off for a second bookable offence.

The result was tough on Spurs' England goalkeeper Paul Robinson, who produced several fine saves to deny Fulham striker Brian McBride.

But at least he had the consolation of knowing that the visitors remained in the fourth and final Champions League qualifying spot.

However, they have taken just one point from their last three games.

Tempers flared late-on with Fulham captain Luis Boa Morte involved in an angry verbal exchange with Spurs assistant manager Chris Hughton.

On-loan left-back Wayne Bridge lined up against the club he snubbed in favour of joining the Cottagers from Chelsea until the end of the season.

Fulham, who completed the signing of Tottenham midfielder Michael Brown earlier on transfer deadline day, were unchanged from the side that lost to West Ham in their last outing.

The hosts had the better of the first-half and might well have been ahead at half-time but for some fine work by Robinson.

He dived to his left to divert Bocanegra's close-range header and then pushed McBride's volley away.

Spurs, by contrast, posed little attacking threat in the absence of striker Mido, on African Nations Cup duty with Egypt.

In the second half Spurs did offer slightly more and saw an appeal for a penalty against Boa Morte after his tackle on Jermaine Jenas turned down.

But they were forced on the defensive when Dawson, already booked for a foul on Heiddar Helguson, was sent-off on the edge of the box when he upended the Icleand striker on the edge of the box.

Defoe did manage to force a save out of Antti Niemi with a curling effort but just when it seemed Spurs would secure a point, Bocanegra connected with Elliott's free-kick from eight yards.