Spurs are back atop the Premier League table following a controlling 2-0 win over Fulham at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Monday.
Heung-min Son scored a goal and set up James Maddison for another as Spurs stayed unbeaten with seven wins and two draws through nine games, good for 23 points and a two-point advantage over Manchester City and Arsenal.
And how’s this Tottenham supporters? You can be five points clear of the field by beating Palace on Friday.
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Fulham continue its season roller coaster, and remain without back-to-back wins, draws or defeats yet this season. Their form through eight games: WLDLWDLWL.
The Cottagers sit 13th with 11 points, seven clear of the bottom three and nine back of the top four.
Heung-min Son brings comfort in Postecoglou’s latest win
Tottenham Hotspur didn’t take anything for granted in this one, armed with the knowledge that Marco Silva’s men would be ornery but didn’t pack much punch in attack.
So Spurs kept the ball for 66% of the first half and went deservedly in front through 10 attempts before the break, and there was nothing but intent in the second half as they hunted and bagged a second goal.
And then, comfort. Fulham had the ball more and didn’t bring true worry to Guglielmo Vicario’s goal outside of the first few minutes, or at least worry that wasn’t of the keeper’s doing as he had a foible that forced Cristian Romero to slide tackle Willian.
We shouldn’t let any comment on Postecoglou’s project pass without a mention of Heung-min Son, who has seven goals and an assist in filling the massive boots left behind by Harry Kane.
Son, 31, had a down 2022-23 with 10 goals and six assists, but at least for now has recaptured the leading man form he shared with Kane for so many years.
For all we praise Postecoglou’s system, vibe, and production, Son has three games with multiple goal contributions including both markers in the the 2-2 North London derby and the goal and assist in this one.
Ange Postecoglou reaction
“Pleased with the result. Fulham are a strong team, particularly defensively. We had to be patience. First half we could’ve maybe had more goals. Second half we didn’t play well. Without the ball we were good.”
“You go into every job believing you can bring success. We have a good team but there’s plenty more to do.”
James Maddison reaction
“The gaffer likes freedom and he’s happy for me to rotate with the fullbacks as we play. The fullbacks are sometimes right inside like No. 10 position and he’s happy with that as long as there are players where he likes. We had a bit more success when I dropped a little bit deeper where Destiny got up there and was in better positions.”
“If you look back at the history of the teams he’s managed, they’ve always been front foot pressing teams. The first day he came in he said pressing high is almost non-negotiable at every stage of the game. We had a game in preseason where we went 1-0, 2-0 up and kinda stopped pressing, and he went ballistic at halftime. It was Shakhtar here. He says that’s almost how Tottenham have been in the past and it’s non-negotiable. We have to keep going 3-0, 4-0. It’s definitely a conscious thing”
What’s next?
Spurs go to Palace for a 3pm ET Friday kickoff, while Fulham wait two further days to next take the pitch. The Cottagers head to Brighton at 10am ET Sunday.
Tottenham vs Fulham player ratings
Tottenham vs Fulham player ratings (fotmob.com)
Tottenham vs Fulham player ratings (fotmob.com)
Tottenham vs Fulham final score: 2-0
Goal: Son (36'), Maddison (54')
James Maddison goal video: Son cues up Maddison for third PL goal with Spurs
Tim Ream is left out for lunch by the right side of his defense, as Heung-min Son weighs up his options before finding Maddison for a tidy finish.
Heung-min Son goal video: Richarlison sets up South Korean for 7th of season
How to watch Tottenham vs Fulham live, stream link, time
Kickoff: 3 pm ET, Monday (Oct. 23)
TV channel: USA Network
Online: Stream online via NBCSports.com
Tottenham lineup
Your XI this evening 💪 pic.twitter.com/uJGJ632OAN
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) October 23, 2023
Fulham lineup
Monday Night Football incoming: 📋#TOTFUL pic.twitter.com/C7o3BMkJPE
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) October 23, 2023
Focus on Tottenham, injury news
OUT: Yves Bissouma (suspension), Manor Solomon (knee), Rodrigo Bentancur (torn ACL), Ivan Perisic (knee), Ryan Sessegnon (thigh), Alfie Whiteman (ankle) | QUESTIONABLE: Brennan Johnson (hamstring)
Focus on Fulham, injury news
OUT: Issa Diop (foot), Tosin Adarabioyo (undisclosed) | QUESTIONABLE: Adama Traore (hamstring), Kenny Tete (undisclosed)
