Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon struck to give Spurs a commanding interval lead in a lively London derby, but they were over-run when play resumed. Fulham dominated, with Younes Kaboul's own-goal in the 57th minute the result of relentless pressure from the rampant home side.
But despite their overwhelming superiority, the Cottagers were unable to convert a series of chances and Tottenham substitute Jermain Defoe scored with virtually the last kick of the game.
Tottenham is tied on 22 points with fourth-place Chelsea, which has played one game more.
Tottenham goalkeeper Brad Friedel saved a glancing header from Steve Sidwell in the second minute before Tottenham took the lead. Kyle Walker's break down the right set up Lennon for a 10th-minute shot, the ball broke to Bale to the left of goal and his shot from a narrow angle went in via a deflection from Chris Baird.
Bale then set up Lennon for a run down the left and the winger slalomed into the area before shooting across goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer and in at the far post.
There were seven and a half minutes of injury time after Tottenham midfielder Scott Parker needed treatment to his nose following a blow from Sidwell's arm and Zdenek Grygera was carried off with a serious-looking knee injury.
Fulham got a goal back in the 57th when Ledley King headed against teammate Kaboul's back for the ball to roll across the line for an own-goal. King nade up for his error in the 74th with a sliding interception to block Clint Dempsey's goal-bound shot.
Fulham then pushed Friedel into a string of saves, hit the post, forced Luka Modric to clear off the line and could have had an injury-time penalty when Walker handled the ball on the ground. But Spurs broke and Defoe rounded off a counterattack with a deflected shot.
