LONDON: Tottenham are in danger of repeating last season’s blunder in throwing away a Champions League spot. They suffered a third defeat in a week when ‘old boy’ Dimitar Berbatov returned to White Hart Lane to earn a 1-0 win for Fulham.

That left Chelsea free to regain third sport in the Premier League by defeating West Ham 2-0 in the day’s London derby.

Tottenham’s Gareth Bale had an early header cleared off the line by Sascha Riether who then provided the low cross from which Berbatov struck what proved the winning goal. Jermain Defoe had a close-range shot saved brilliantly by Mark Schwarzer in the closing stages.

The victory was Fulham’s first in 10 games at White Hart Lane since 2003 and was Spurs’ first home defeat since November 3.

Berbatov did not celebrate his winner against one of his former clubs but pursuers Arsenal and Everton will have been happy. Spurs lead north London neighbours Arsenal by only four points and are six ahead of Everton.

Above then all Chelsea regained third spot by defeating West Ham 2-0 in their London derby. Frank Lampard scored his 200th goal for the club in the 19th minute after Eden Hazard had a shot only half-cleared. Hazard scored the second five minutes into the second half.

In the other games Sunderland were held 1-1 at home by Norwich while FA Cup semi-finalists Wigan defeated Newcastle 2-1.

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