Aston Villa were due to be the visitors at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Wednesday, January 13 but COVID-19 put paid to that, meaning that an impressive Fulham were the opposition instead. This was a re-arranged game that had been postponed at the end of 2020 due to a COVID outbreak in the Fulham camp.
Jose Mourinho Frustrated by Impressive Fulham
Scott Parker Continues Fulham Revival
Scott Parker had a rude awakening on returning to the Premier League with Fulham as a manager but, in the last six games, has turned things around with four draws, one win and just the one defeat, compared to the first nine games when they lost seven.
Against Spurs, they were the team that started on the front foot but Tosin Adarabioyo wasted a glorious chance from a free-kick when he lost his bearings and the ball ended up safely with Hugo Lloris. There is certainly no fear about Scott Parker’s side and they are happy to get the ball down and play attacking football.
Harry Kane Scores 36th London Derby Goal
Harry Kane loves London Derby matches and scored his 36th goal in such games on 25 minutes after a superb Spurs move. Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg hit a sweeping ball out to Sergio Reguilon who played a first-time cross from the left which split the Fulham defence. Kane still had plenty to do though and launched himself forward and his diving header gave Spurs the lead.
Fulham Attack Punishes Spurs
Tottenham have sat back on several occasions this season and it has cost them points. Had they been more clinical and killed matches off, it could have seen them at the top of the Premier League table quite comfortably.
At 1-0 up in this match, Tottenham were certainly not comfortable, and in the second half, were guilty of not taking control. They had the chances to win the game, none more so than when Son Heung-Min sprinted free, but he miss-hit his left-footed shot and the ball bounced back off the post.
Alphonse Areola made two outstanding saves and this almost mirrored Spurs’ dropped points at Crystal Palace where another keeper, Vicente Guaita, denied and frustrated Jose Mourinho’s Spurs.
Ivan Cavaleiro got the equaliser after Davinson Sanchez was beaten far too easily, allowing Ademola Lookman to cross the ball and Cavaleiro out jumped and outfought both Eric Dier and Sergio Reguilon to head home. It was an undeniably good header but from a defensive point of view, it was a poor goal to concede.
Both sides had 15 shots. Whilst Spurs were not as negative as they were against Wolverhampton Wanderers or Leicester City, they still sat back too much and invited Fulham onto them which ultimately cost them more points seeing them drop to sixth place in the league.
Conclusions
Whilst an impressive Fulham remain in the bottom three, they have two games in hand on Brighton & Hove Albion, and on this showing, have every chance of picking up enough points to avoid relegation.
For Tottenham, this was yet another example of allowing late goals and complacency to cost them points. Spurs and Mourinho will want silverware and the top four come the end of the season but once more they have shown why they are unlikely to be in the title race. Even with Mourinho at the helm, Spurs are making the same mistakes that have thwarted the hunt for success for 13 years.
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