Tottenham keep pace in chase for European places with victory over Fulham

Swansea appear to be safe after rallying past Newcastle while Crystal Palace continue their winning streak

Alex Kacaniklic, left, of Fulham tackles Christian Eriksen of Tottenham Hotspur during their Premier League match at White Hart Lane on April 19, 2014, in London, England. Clive Rose / Getty Images

Tottenham Hotspur stayed in the running for a top-four finish with a 3-1 win over Fulham on Saturday, living up to manager Tim Sherwood's pledge to continue attacking regardless of any leaks at the back.

Paulinho gave Spurs the lead after 35 minutes, slipping behind the Fulham defence to tap in a Christian Eriksen free kick from close range, only for Steve Sidwell to equalise two minutes later.

Harry Kane continued his recent torrid form for Spurs just two minutes after half time, nodding past David Stockdale from a fine, left-footed cross by Aaron Lennon. Kane’s goal was his third in three consecutive Premier League starts, having also found the net against Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion.

Eriksen turned provider again on 62 minutes, curling a free kick through the Fulham box to Younes Kaboul, who prodded the ball into the net with his knee.

The Dane gave Tottenham supporters a nervy moment 14 minutes from full time when he conceded a penalty kick by handling in the box as Hugo Rodallega tried to juggle the ball past him. Hugo Lloris spared Eriksen’s blushes, though, leaning just to his right to push Sidwell’s penalty to safety.

The win gave Tottenham 63 points, three behind fifth-place Everton and four off London rivals Arsenal, who hold the last Uefa Champions League spot. Fulham stayed on 30 points, two behind 17th-place Norwich City and safety.

Elsewhere, Wilfried Bony struck twice to ease Cardiff City’s relegation woes and condemn Newcastle United to their fifth straight league defeat. Shola Ameobi had given the hosts the lead after 23 minutes, scoring his first goal in 30 Premier League appearances, only for Bony to equalise in first-half stoppage time. The Ivorian struck the winner two minutes into second-half added time, stroking home a penalty kick.

Swansea provisionally moved up into 13th place on 36 points, though they have played two games more than Hull City. Newcastle are still safely in mid-table, sitting ninth on 46 points.

Mile Jedinak’s 59th-minute penalty continued Crystal Palace’s stunning surge up the table. The London club, who struggled so mightily early in the season, sealed their fifth consecutive win with a 1-0 triumph at West Ham United. Unbeaten in six of their last seven, Palace are 11th on 43 points, six clear of 12th-place West Ham.

Cardiff City drew 1-1 at home with Stoke City in a match that did their hopes of avoiding the drop few favours. Peter Whittingham’s penalty kick cancelled out the spot kick Marko Arnautovic converted just before half time, and Cardiff had the outstanding David Marshall to thank for preserving their point after stopping Ousama Assaidi one-on-one late in the match.

Cardiff moved above Fulham into 18th place on 30 points, holding a better goal difference but still two points away from safety. Stoke stayed 10th on 44 points in their search for their first top-half finish in the Premier League.

At Villa Park, Aston Villa and Southampton played out a 0-0 draw that left the visitors eighth on 49 points and Villa 15th on 35, just five points clear of the bottom three. Villa have not won since March 15, when they stunned title hopefuls Chelsea 1-0 at home.

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