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TOTTENHAM 1-2 FULHAM: Spurs have still only won one Premier League home match all season on the opening day of the campaign against Burnley as two early goals were enough for the visitors to leave with the victory
Thomas Frank claimed on Thursday that he wants to make the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium a fortress. You have to admire his wishful thinking because Spurs have now won just three of their past 21 Premier League home matches after Fulham punished a wretched first-half defensive horror show.
Spurs were two goals down inside just six minutes and they’ve now conceded first in sixth successive home top-flight games for the first time since September 2003.
Mohammed Kudus restored a small slice of pride after Kenny Tete and Harry Wilson had struck for the Cottagers but it was a damning reflection of this side’s current direction of travel under Frank that they never truly looked capable of wrestling things back.
The Dane’s wilting Europa League champions look starved of all inspiration and they have now won just three of their past 13 matches in all competitions. It’s scarcely believable that Tottenham, who were rightly booed off by their own supporters, have become scared of their own shadow on their own patch – in a £1billion state-of the-art stadium.
Fulham came into this clash as one of only two sides, alongside Wolves, yet to taste victory on the road in the Premier League this season. Perhaps unsurprisingly, basement boys Wolves’ sole away point was banked against Spurs.
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There were no signs of travel sickness, however, when the visitors forced themselves ahead after just four minutes. Kevin Danso’s poor defensive header put the hosts under intense pressure and Fulham winger Samuel Chukwueze’s wayward pass somehow evaded Lucas Bergvall, allowing right-back Kenny Tete to strike at goal. The Dutchman’s effort then deflected off Destiny Udogie and wrong-footed Guglielmo Vicario. While the Tottenham No.1 was powerless for the opener, there was nowhere to hide for Fulham’s second just two minutes later. Joachim Andersen sent a long punt up field, Vicario raced off his line to collect the ball and instead of hoofing it off the pitch, the Italian tried to be overly clever and shield off Raul Jimenez as he pressed the panicked shot-stopper.
Vicario then miscued his clearance which arrived at the feet of Josh King, who teed up Harry Wilson to apply a pinpoint 40-yard finish into the empty net. Marco Silva could not believe his luck as boos began to perforate the eardrums of Thomas Frank.
Remarkably, there appeared to be some late-coming fans that were still yet to even sit in their seats. They must have been tempted to turn around because it did not get any better from there. Spurs were playing lopsided with no left-winger as Richarlison tucked in alongside Randal Kolo Muani following their goalscoring exploits at PSG in midweek. It did not require a tactical genius to determine that it was a farcical mess.
Chukwueze’s curling shot from the edge of the box then kissed the post before sarcastic cheers echoed around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after Vicario finally hacked a clearance off the pitch.
Had it not been for stand-in captain Micky van de Ven, Silva’s troops, who were tearing Spurs to shreds, would have been three goals to the good before the break.
Chukwueze profited on calamitous Pedro Porro’s mistake before the centre-back made an expertly-timed, last-ditch tackle to prevent the Nigerian from scoring. Kudus sparked Tottenham back into life on 59 minutes when his venomous half volley flew in at the near post before Lucas Bergvall saw a glancing header cleared off the line.
Beyond that, Spurs never looked like scoring outside of a tame back-heel from Kolo Muani and they’ve now lost three successive London derbies for the first time since October 2021.
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Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
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