Fulham shocked Spurs with a brilliant performance against the Champions League hopefuls in a 3-0 win thanks to a double from Rodrigo Muniz and Sasa Lukic’s second-half strike.
Here are five things we learned from the game…
Craven Cottage is becoming a fortress
Embed from Getty ImagesFulham can beat anyone on their day, especially at Craven Cottage. Marco Silva’s side were expected to struggle against a buoyant Spurs, who should have been full of confidence after their 4-0 win at Aston Villa last week. But Fulham were up for it from the start, took their chances well and restricted previously free-scoring Spurs to a handful of real chances. The Cottagers had already beaten Arsenal at home and Manchester United away, and now they have another big scalp.
Consistency still lacking for Spurs
Spurs still don’t have the consistency to make a proper challenge for the title. Ange Postecoglou has repeatedly stressed this season is all about bedding in his style and new players, but the inconsistency that has dogged Spurs for years is still there. They should have followed up victory at Villa Park last week by brushing aside bottom-half Fulham, but were blown away by a three-goal burst in a ten minute spell either side of half-time.
Muniz performance highlights Richarlison’s struggles
Embed from Getty ImagesTottenham could do with a goalscorer like Rodrigo Muniz. The Brazilian is on a hot streak, and his two goals against Spurs made it seven in seven games. By contrast his countryman Richarlison looked woeful on his belated return from injury, putting a couple of chances wide and getting caught offside repeatedly. Richarlison wears Tottenham’s number nine shirt but he is no replacement for Harry Kane.
Micky van de Ven’s absence felt
Embed from Getty ImagesMicky van de Ven was a big miss for Tottenham. The Dutch centre-back was out with a hamstring injury, and though his replacement Radu Dragusin did not disgrace himself on his full debut, there is no doubt Spurs look more solid with van de Ven alongside Cristian Romero. Hopefully the international break will give the Dutch defender time to recover as Spurs look to get their push for a top four finish back on track.
Bassey impressing on the left
Embed from Getty ImagesCalvin Bassey looks far more comfortable on the left of a back four. The left-footed Nigerian was drafted in on the right of a back four when Fulham visited Tottenham back in October and was at fault for both goals in a 2-0 defeat. But back in his favoured position he looked far more solid and helped Fulham’s defence keep out Spurs, who had not failed to score in their previous 38 games, a run stretching back over a year.
