Braces from Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov against Fulham on Sunday set up a mouth-watering FA Cup quarter-final against Chelsea and took the heat off Spurs boss Martin Jol.

Keane scored two sumptuous volleys, on six and 68 minutes, to put Tottenham on their way at Craven Cottage against a disappointing Fulham side. Berbatov came off the bench with 17 minutes left to score twice and wrap up a very satisfactory afternoon's work.

Monday's lunch-time draw subsequently pitted Spurs against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, March 11.

Speaking to Tottenham's official web site, Keane, 26, admitted the players had been aware in recent weeks that sections of the notoriously fickle Tottenham support had been growing restless after a poor run.

"You do hear it, but players just have to get on with it even though it is in the background," he said. "The only way to change it is to win games and hopefully this one will put us in the right direction."

The Irishman, who has endured a hit -and-miss season so far, added: "We've such a good squad of players and we know we weren't doing as well as we should. It is frustrating when you're not getting results, but we'll be looking for Sunday to kick-start us into the last bit of the season."

Spurs' season will be defined by what happens in the next month.

As well as the FA Cup game at Chelsea, they will play in the UEFA Cup round of 16 on March 8 and March 14/15 after being given a bye by UEFA.

There is no let up in the league, either, with a home game against Bolton on Sunday followed by a trip to Upton Park on March 4 to face relegation-threatened West Ham.

Progression in European competition and both domestic cups means Tottenham have already played more games this season than in the whole of last year's campaign.