Fredi learns from the master

Last updated : 16 March 2005 By Alistair Murray

Fredi Kanoute put Tottenham in front against Fulham with the skills he picked up from teammate Jermain Defoe.

Kanoute revealed how he stays behind after training to practice long range dead ball situations with Defoe.

The Mali international made the most of the opportunity when referee Neale Barry awarded Spurs a free kick on the edge of the area for a foul on Andy Reid.

Kanoute, who had been on the pitch for only five minutes since coming on for Defoe, decided to surprise everyone including his manager and have a go at beating Edwin Van der Sar's wall.

Afterwards Martin Jol reflected on the opportune moment that had left Fulham's Dutch stopper helpless and motionless in front of his goalline, "I didn't know he was a free-kick specialist.

Jol had taken a calculated risk of his own at 0-0 bringing Kanoute on for Defoe, who had a quiet afternoon alongside Mido.

"Fredi took a gamble with the free kick and I don't like us to do that too much but he was proved right on this occasion," said Jol.

Kanoute was in no mood to describe the goal, his first from a direct free kick, as a fluke. "I knew I just had to put it around the wall with a strong shot.

"Van der Sar couldn't see the ball coming until far too late. He decided to move slightly the other way and that is why I scored.

"I've practiced that in training and was waiting for the chance to take one in a real game.

"I have taken a few before, but usually the wall stops it or it goes quite close," said Kanoute.