Tottenham realised their hopes of a top-four finish with a 2-0 win over Fulham but face an agonising wait to see if they will play in the Champions League next season.

With Arsenal winning 3-2 at West Bromwich Albion, Spurs were unable to catch their north London rivals in third but victory ensured Newcastle, who eventually lost to Everton, could equally not pip them to fourth.

Harry Redknapp’s side must now wait on the outcome of next week’s Champions League final between Chelsea and Bayern Munich as they will be relegated to the Europa League should the Blues win and qualify for next year’s competition.

Spurs went into the match knowing three points would guarantee them fourth place with third a possibility should Arsenal slip up.

Emmanuel Adebayor gave Spurs the perfect start when he slotted past Mark Schwarzer after just 96 seconds following a neat one-two with Rafael Van der Vaart on the edge of the box.

Substitute Jermain Defoe doubled the home side’s lead on 62 minutes when he latched onto Aaron Lennon’s deflected shot to poke home from six yards.

White Hart Lane was rocking from the first whistle and when news reached the home fans that West Brom had taken a 2-1 lead against Arsenal in the first half, there was delirium in the stands.

Those keeping an ear out for scores elsewhere were unable to keep their eyes off the action on the pitch as Spurs displayed some of the slick passing that has won them so many plaudits in recent seasons.

Bale went close to doubling his side’s lead after Adebayor’s goal but he was denied at close range by the Fulham keeper early on.

Sandro then wasted a fine piece of build-up play involving Aaron Lennon and Kyle Walker when he sliced his shot wide.

Van der Vaart went close when he dug out an awkward volley that sailed narrowly past Schwarzer’s left post as Tottenham continued to press the visitors.

Martin Jol’s side were blown away by Tottenham’s pace and power in the opening exchanges with Adebayor and Van der Vaart posing a constant threat in the Fulham half.

As the break approached, Fulham crept their way back into the game and could have gone level but for two superb saves from veteran goalkeeper Brad Friedel.

The 40-year-old first dived to his left to block John Arne Riise’s shot from the edge of the box and bettered his efforts when he got down low to his right to get a hand on Dembele’s drive seconds later.

News of an Arsenal equaliser drew groans from the capacity crowd but Spurs might have doubled their lead seconds before half time when Bale’s initial powerful shot was parried by Schwarzer and the Welshman sent his follow up high into the stands.

Spurs were forced into a change at the start of the second half as Walker, who failed to recover from an ankle injury he picked up shortly before half time, was replaced by Ryan Nelsen who played at centre-back with William Gallas pushed out to the left.

With Danny Rose suspended and Benoit Assou-Ekotto out with a dislocated shoulder, Walker’s injury left Tottenham with only Gareth Bale as a recognised full back, thought the Welshman has not played in that position all season.

The defensive injury list grew longer when Younes Kaboul was forced off with 15 minutes to go, forcing another re-shuffle with Gallas moving back to centre half and England Under-21 Adam Smith, who had been on loan at Leeds United for much of the season, becoming Spurs’ third left back of the game.

The patched up defence did not curtail the home side’s attacking intentions though and Sandro headed straight at Schwarzer soon after the break.

Adebayor was through on goal seconds later but referee Phil Dowd blew the whistle for a foul in the build up just as the Togolese striker got his shot away.

News that Arsenal were winning 3-2 reached White Hart Lane mid way through the second half so it was much to the relief of the home crowd when Defoe notched his 11th goal of the season.

Fulham rallied late on but Friedel was on hand to first deny Damien Duff with a smart near-post save and then Dembele when he tipped his drilled shot over the bar.

Tottenham’s defence held out to secure a fourth place finish and leave Spurs anxiously awaiting next week’s Champions League final and praying for a Bayern Munich win.

Tottenham: Friedel; Walker (Nelsen, 48), Gallas, Kaboul (Smith, 75), Livermore; Lennon, Modric, Sandro, Bale; Van der Vaart (Defoe, 60), Adebayor.

Subs not used: Saha, Dos Santos, Cudicini, Kane.

Fulham: Schwarzer; Kelly, JA Rise, Hangeland, Hughes; Murphy (Kasami, 66), Duff, Diarra, Frei; Dembele, Pogrebnyak.

Subs not used: Stockdale, Senderos, Gecov, BH Risse, Briggs, Trotta.

Bookings: Hangelaand, 26, Murphy, 46.

Referee: Phil Dowd.

Att: 36,256.