Fulham 2-1 Tottenham match report: Spurs rely on others in relegation battle

Igor Tudor was unable to end Tottenham’s nine-game winless streak as his side fell to a 2-1 defeat at Fulham in his second game in charge.

We are now in March, and Tottenham still have not won a Premier League match since the start of the year, with the relegation zone just four points away.

Coming into this one winless in 18 league games and off the back of a humiliating 4-1 defeat to Arsenal, Spurs had no excuses left, but they failed to deliver again. It’s a tough spot for Igor Tudor, who is quickly learning just how deep the problems run at this club.

Pedro Porro returned to the matchday squad and Kevin Danso was fit enough for the bench, although in true Tottenham fashion, as one full-back reappeared, another vanished. Djed Spence picked up a minor calf issue and was left out.

First half: Fulham 2-0 Tottenham

Tudor didn’t change much from the Arsenal game, though Joao Palhinha played as a proper defensive midfielder this time rather than dropping into the back three. Despite the tweak, the patterns looked identical to the derby defeat.

And just like the reverse fixture, Spurs were behind almost immediately. Fulham worked the ball into the box, where a header back across goal took a slight deflection before Harry Wilson reacted quickest to volley home from close range. Spurs appealed for a push by Raul Jimenez on Radu Dragusin in the build-up, but VAR let the goal stand.

Tottenham did attempt to respond when a slick move saw Randal Kolo Muani try to square the ball for a free Archie Gray, only for Issa Diop to make a crucial last-ditch block.

However, Fulham tightened their grip after the half-hour mark when Alex Iwobi doubled the lead. After combining neatly with Wilson on the edge of the area, Iwobi slipped away far too easily, with neither Dominic Solanke nor Xavi tracking him, before side-footing a precise effort in off the left-hand post.

Radu Dragusin had a decent opportunity to pull one back before the break when a corner dropped kindly for him inside the box, but leaning backwards, he failed to make the right contact, and the chance drifted wide.

Second half: Fulham 1-2 Tottenham

Although Spurs needed a strong response, they were fortunate not to fall further behind when Emile Smith Rowe curled an effort just wide of the right-hand post after Porro had given away possession cheaply.

Spurs struggled to get going even with the two-goal deficit; Micky van de Ven had to make a big block to deny Jimenez before Guglielmo Vicario made an incredible one-on-one save against Smith Rowe.

Tudor eventually made a triple sub, and it paid off immediately. Mathys Tel did well on the left to beat his man and find Gray, who lobbed to the back post for Richarlison, who headed home from distance to make it 2-1.

Pape Matar Sarr later fired into the side netting following neat interplay involving Tel and winter signing Souza, while Joao Palhinha saw a late effort blocked on a crowded goal line in what proved to be the final action of the match.

Spurs Web man of the match: Mathys Tel

FT: FULHAM 2-1 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

What’s next for Spurs?

It is tough being a Tottenham fan right now, and the players are doing little to help. The away end remained loud throughout, and even if confidence in the dressing room is at rock bottom, that backing should at least inspire some intensity. From sloppy passing to failing to track runners, the team is missing the basics.

Fortunately for Spurs, both Nottingham Forest and West Ham lost this week; otherwise, this section would have read much differently.

Igor Tudor has inherited a mess, and judging him after just two games would be harsh. Still, if he is serious about changing this trajectory, he may need to make bold calls. Some big names will have to make way, and younger players will have to be trusted when his side face Crystal Palace on Thursday.

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