Tottenham 1-1 Fulham: Match Report – Absentees Prove Costly for Postecoglou

Another disappointing evening at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium saw Spurs falter to a 1-1 draw against a 10-man Fulham.

 

Brennan Johnson’s early goal was neutralized by Tom Cairney’s stunning equalizer before his red card added late drama, leaving Fulham hanging on for a point.

 

Just a week after their emphatic 4-0 victory over Manchester City, Tottenham appeared deflated, struggling against a spirited Fulham side that fought for every ball.

 

Tottenham 1-1 Fulham Match Report

 

First Half: Bright Start, Dull Finish

 

Tottenham began energetically, with Son Heung-min nearly capitalizing on Calvin Bassey’s defensive error within the opening minute.

 

However, Spurs’ intensity faded quickly, allowing Fulham to gain control.

 

Raul Jimenez consistently troubled Fraser Forster, forcing crucial saves, while Alex Iwobi’s blistering counterattack rattled the crossbar.

 

Despite some chances for Spurs, including James Maddison’s inventive free-kick that hit the post and Radu Dragusin’s header testing Bernd Leno, the stats told a clear story at halftime.

Tottenham’s 0.33 expected goals (xG) reflected possession without penetration, while Fulham’s 0.8 xG highlighted their sharper attacking edge.

 

Second Half: Hope Springs Briefly

 

The second half saw Spurs display greater urgency, and they were rewarded when Timo Werner, their most vibrant player, created magic down the left.

 

His slick movement and precise cross set up Brennan Johnson, who hammered the ball home. Spurs took the lead, albeit against the run of play.

 

However, the lead was short-lived. Fulham responded brilliantly as Cairney, brought on as a substitute, curled a sublime shot past Forster after an excellent assist from Iwobi.

 

Red Card Drama, No Spurs Payoff

 

The turning point came in the 83rd minute when Cairney, having just rescued Fulham, lunged recklessly at Dejan Kulusevski.

 

VAR upgraded the initial yellow card to a red, reducing Fulham to 10 men for the final minutes.

 

The home crowd urged Spurs forward, but their response lacked coherence.

Predictable long balls and aimless crosses into the box were easily handled by Fulham’s defense and goalkeeper Leno.

 

Late tactical tweaks by Ange Postecoglou, including deploying Kulusevski as a false nine, added little clarity to Spurs’ attack.

 

Son, operating out of position as a central striker, squandered two clear opportunities, underlining the team’s struggle in the absence of Dominic Solanke.

 

Spurs ended the match with an underwhelming 0.65 xG, a poor return for a side known for its attacking prowess.

 

Key Takeaways

 

1. Forster’s Heroics: Fraser Forster delivered a standout performance, making critical saves to keep Spurs in contention.

 

 

2. Werner’s Impact: Timo Werner shone as Tottenham’s creative spark, registering his third assist of the season and crafting three chances. His dynamism on the left was a rare bright spot.

 

 

3. Creativity Concerns: Without Solanke, Spurs lacked fluidity in attack. Overreliance on crosses and conservative play in possession made their approach predictable. Even Maddison and Bissouma, typically assured, seemed off their game.

 

 

4. Defensive Resilience: Stand-ins Radu Dragusin and Ben Davies performed admirably in place of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, providing a solid defensive base despite the team’s broader struggles.

Final Thoughts

 

The draw leaves Spurs in seventh, three points adrift of the top four. Fulham, now just a point behind in 10th, will be the happier side after a dogged display.

 

For Tottenham, it’s another frustrating result in a season of missed opportunities.

 

However, with Solanke’s return imminent, there’s hope for brighter days ahead. For now, Spurs fans are left to wonder what might have been.