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Fulham 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur: Spurs win back-to-back Premier League games for first time since November

By Harry PooleBBC Sport

Last updated on .From the section Premier Leaguecomments826

Tosin Adarabioyo scores an own goal against Tottenham
Tosin Adarabioyo's own goal was the first time Fulham had conceded the opening goal in six Premier League games

Tottenham recorded consecutive Premier League victories for the first time since November as Jose Mourinho's side survived late Fulham pressure at Craven Cottage.

Not since beating Manchester City to move top of the table on 21 November had Spurs won back-to-back games, but a Tosin Adarabioyo own goal ensured the visitors backed up Sunday's impressive 4-0 victory over Burnley with a hard-fought three points.

Making a first league start since the opening day, Dele Alli played a key role in the visitors' 19th-minute opener as he fed the ball wide to Son Heung-min before meeting the South Korean's low cross - though Adarabioyo inadvertently got the decisive touch.

Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris produced a fine save to tip Joachim Andersen's header on to the crossbar and was again called upon to deny Adarabioyo from the resulting corner as Fulham pushed for an equaliser after half-time.

Fulham - who remain three points from safety - were ultimately left aggrieved by a controversial video assistant referee decision to disallow Josh Maja's deserved equaliser just after the hour, as Mario Lemina was penalised for handball in the build-up despite his arm being by his side.

Harry Kane was denied from a diving header by Alphonse Areola in the closing stages, but Mourinho's side held firm under intense pressure from the hosts to move to within four points of the top four.

Third win in a week for Spurs

Fulham 0-1 Tottenham: Jose Mourinho says he is 'happy' with Gareth Bale's performance

Alli had not started in the Premier League since being removed at half-time against Everton almost six months ago, but the England international replaced Lucas Moura in an exciting Spurs front four behind Gareth Bale, Son and Kane.

Mourinho said it was "amazing" to have Alli back firing following his performance against Austrian side Wolfsberger in the Europa League last week, when he scored a superb overhead kick in a promising all-round performance.

The 24-year-old impressed with an energetic display during a first half which saw the Spurs attack gradually click into gear, then ignite as Kane missed a glorious opportunity to put his side ahead but headed Son's cross too close to Areola.

Bale, also given a start despite Mourinho suggesting the Welshman might not be ready four days after his standout performance against Burnley, was the catalyst for the opener, turning quickly in midfield to set Alli away.

Alli drove confidently at the retreating Fulham defence and continued his run into the box to meet Son's cross, though the playmaker's flick was heading wide before Adarabioyo's unfortunate touch.

It was a rather different tale in the second half, which saw Alli and Bale removed after 67 minutes and Moussa Sissoko introduced in response to Fulham's growing dominance. It was far from convincing in the end, but a third win in a week makes for happy reading for Mourinho.

Fulham unfortunate to finish empty-handed

Fulham 0-1 Tottenham: Fulham deserved something out of the game, says Scott Parker

Fulham earned a point with a second-half goal in January's reverse fixture, and Scott Parker will undoubtedly feel his side deserved at least as much from this encounter.

Despite their precarious position in the table, this was the first time in six Premier League games Fulham conceded the opening goal and they responded admirably in their push for parity.

They believed they had achieved just that when on-loan Bordeaux striker Maja finished coolly into the bottom corner, but VAR had other ideas.

Lemina was stood a couple of metres away, with his arms by his side, as Davinson Sanchez attempted to clear the ball. Instead, it struck Lemina and bounced kindly for Maja to finish before the hosts' celebrations were cut short.

The game epitomised Fulham's recent displays - they are defensively sound, conceding one goal in five games prior to this match, and comfortable in possession, but they remain profligate in attack. By full-time, they had managed 11 shots to Spurs' nine.

However, Parker's side now have every chance of avoiding relegation following their recent five-game unbeaten run - a remarkable turnaround considering they were 10 points adrift of 17th-placed Newcastle only 19 days ago.

Fulham are dealing in fine margins, and will need those key moments to go in their favour as a tough run continues against Liverpool and Manchester City in their next two games.

'That's the rule' - what they said

Fulham boss Scott Parker speaking to BBC Sport: "We fully deserved something out of it. The endeavour was there for all to see."

On the disallowed goal: "I'm not going to complain - that's the rule. If it hits your arm it gets disallowed. I don't know what he can physically do. Probably a bit of common sense needs to prevail in that rule but I'm not saying it's not the right decision because by the rule it is [correct]."

Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho: "It was a tough game. They play very well, they don't score many but they don't concede many either.

"We had chances to kill it and we didn't and then the game becomes very similar to what we have had in other games. Hugo [Lloris] is the best French goalkeeper and made a couple of saves to show it."

Fulham's London derby woes - the stats

  • Tottenham have won back-to-back Premier League games for the first time since winning four in a row in November. They had lost five of their previous six league games before this.
  • This was only Spurs' fourth 1-0 win in the Premier League where the only goal was an own goal, but the second to come under Jose Mourinho.
  • Tottenham have won each of their past six away Premier League games against Fulham, stretching back to the 2010-11 season.
  • Fulham are without a win in 22 Premier League London derbies and have failed to score in each of their past four.
  • Fulham have failed to score in eight home Premier League games this season - the joint most of any side.

What's next?

Fulham travel to Anfield to face Liverpool on Sunday (14:00 GMT), before Tottenham host Crystal Palace later that day (19:15).

Player of the match

BaleGareth Bale

with an average of 7.44

Fulham

  1. Squad number15Player nameLoftus-Cheek
    Average rating

    6.34

  2. Squad number19Player nameLookman
    Average rating

    6.28

  3. Squad number27Player nameMaja
    Average rating

    6.19

  4. Squad number21Player nameReed
    Average rating

    6.11

  5. Squad number33Player nameRobinson
    Average rating

    6.06

  6. Squad number5Player nameAndersen
    Average rating

    5.99

  7. Squad number17Player nameCavaleiro
    Average rating

    5.93

  8. Squad number18Player nameLemina
    Average rating

    5.86

  9. Squad number34Player nameAina
    Average rating

    5.84

  10. Squad number1Player nameAreola
    Average rating

    5.81

  11. Squad number29Player nameZambo Anguissa
    Average rating

    5.67

  12. Squad number16Player nameTosin
    Average rating

    5.64

  13. Squad number23Player nameBryan
    Average rating

    5.56

  14. Squad number9Player nameMitrovic
    Average rating

    5.53

Tottenham Hotspur

  1. Squad number9Player nameBale
    Average rating

    7.44

  2. Squad number7Player nameSon Heung-Min
    Average rating

    6.65

  3. Squad number20Player nameAlli
    Average rating

    6.62

  4. Squad number11Player nameLamela
    Average rating

    6.12

  5. Squad number10Player nameKane
    Average rating

    6.06

  6. Squad number5Player nameHøjbjerg
    Average rating

    5.94

  7. Squad number1Player nameLloris
    Average rating

    5.87

  8. Squad number27Player nameLucas Moura
    Average rating

    5.85

  9. Squad number28Player nameNdombele
    Average rating

    5.83

  10. Squad number4Player nameAlderweireld
    Average rating

    5.80

  11. Squad number33Player nameDavies
    Average rating

    5.72

  12. Squad number6Player nameD Sánchez
    Average rating

    5.59

  13. Squad number17Player nameSissoko
    Average rating

    5.55

  14. Squad number2Player nameDoherty
    Average rating

    5.43

Line-ups

Fulham

Formation 4-4-2

  • 1Areola
  • 34Aina
  • 5Andersen
  • 16Tosin
  • 33RobinsonSubstituted forBryanat 75'minutes
  • 17CavaleiroSubstituted forMitrovicat 71'minutes
  • 18Lemina
  • 21ReedBooked at 90mins
  • 15Loftus-CheekSubstituted forZambo Anguissaat 64'minutes
  • 27Maja
  • 19LookmanBooked at 39mins

Substitutes

  • 2Tete
  • 9Mitrovic
  • 13Ream
  • 14De Cordova-Reid
  • 23Bryan
  • 25Onomah
  • 29Zambo Anguissa
  • 30Kongolo
  • 31Fabri

Tottenham

Formation 4-2-3-1

  • 1Lloris
  • 2Doherty
  • 6D Sánchez
  • 4Alderweireld
  • 33Davies
  • 28NdombeleSubstituted forLamelaat 75'minutes
  • 5Højbjerg
  • 9BaleBooked at 45minsSubstituted forLucas Mouraat 68'minutes
  • 20AlliSubstituted forSissokoat 67'minutes
  • 7Son Heung-Min
  • 10Kane

Substitutes

  • 3Reguilón
  • 8Winks
  • 11Lamela
  • 12Hart
  • 15Dier
  • 17Sissoko
  • 25Tanganga
  • 27Lucas Moura
  • 45Alves Morais
Referee:
David Coote

Match Stats

Home TeamFulhamAway TeamTottenham
Possession
Home60%
Away40%
Shots
Home11
Away9
Shots on Target
Home3
Away2
Corners
Home4
Away1
Fouls
Home13
Away9

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Fulham 0, Tottenham Hotspur 1.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Fulham 0, Tottenham Hotspur 1.

  3. Booking

    Harrison Reed (Fulham) is shown the yellow card.

  4. Post update

    Foul by Harrison Reed (Fulham).

  5. Post update

    Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick on the left wing.

  6. Post update

    Offside, Fulham. Joe Bryan tries a through ball, but Ademola Lookman is caught offside.

  7. Post update

    Corner, Fulham. Conceded by Matt Doherty.

  8. Post update

    Offside, Fulham. Joachim Andersen tries a through ball, but Ademola Lookman is caught offside.

  9. Post update

    Attempt missed. Lucas Moura (Tottenham Hotspur) left footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left.

  10. Post update

    Attempt saved. Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Erik Lamela with a through ball.

  11. Post update

    Attempt missed. Ademola Lookman (Fulham) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.

  12. Post update

    Corner, Tottenham Hotspur. Conceded by Ola Aina.

  13. Post update

    Foul by André-Frank Zambo Anguissa (Fulham).

  14. Post update

    Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  15. Substitution

    Substitution, Fulham. Joe Bryan replaces Antonee Robinson.

  16. Substitution

    Substitution, Tottenham Hotspur. Erik Lamela replaces Tanguy Ndombele.

  17. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Ademola Lookman (Fulham) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Joachim Andersen with a cross.

  18. Substitution

    Substitution, Fulham. Aleksandar Mitrovic replaces Ivan Cavaleiro.

  19. Post update

    Offside, Fulham. Tosin Adarabioyo tries a through ball, but Ivan Cavaleiro is caught offside.

  20. Post update

    André-Frank Zambo Anguissa (Fulham) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

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Comments

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826 comments

  • Comment posted by paul hirst, at 19:58 4 Mar

    Not a dig at Spurs, but how the hell is a player supposed to get his hand out of the way when its whacked at him from a yard away ??? Handball law has gone beyond farcical

    • Reply posted by Sureditch, at 20:02 4 Mar

      Sureditch replied:
      As a Spurs fan, I agree.

  • Comment posted by Apartment Song, at 19:58 4 Mar

    As a Burnley fan I'll take the West Brom and Fulham results.

    But it leaves a bad taste.

    Those VAR decisions were a disgrace.
    It really is ruining the game

    • Reply posted by rx2315, at 20:04 4 Mar

      rx2315 replied:
      VAR got it right in the Everton game. Don’t let that spoil your rant.

  • Comment posted by pablo, at 19:58 4 Mar

    As a Spurs fan, we we're extremely lucky. Fulham should not have had the goal disallowed but take the 3 points and leave quickly by the back door.

    • Reply posted by ThfC1979, at 20:01 4 Mar

      ThfC1979 replied:
      Yes they should - it’s harsh... very harsh but the rule is very, very clear. If it hits any part of the arm, accidental or otherwise, and it leads to a goal then it’s a free kick.

  • Comment posted by FFC2, at 19:57 4 Mar

    This handball law is a complete joke... how the hell is Lemina meant to get out of the way...

    • Reply posted by Uncle Albert, at 20:00 4 Mar

      Uncle Albert replied:
      Shouldn't have been in the way in the first place. That's life.

  • Comment posted by SteH11, at 20:03 4 Mar

    I'm a Spurs fan but I will say that disallowed goal for Fulham is a joke!!

    It has to be disallowed because of the rule. But the rule itself needs changing.

    Blasted at the guy from a yard away, he's got his arm tucked into body. It's a disgrace, Fulham have been robbed.

    The FA must change the rule with immediate effect!!

    • Reply posted by BethnalExpat, at 20:17 4 Mar

      BethnalExpat replied:
      Earlier in the season Newcastle were awarded a penalty in the last kick of the game when Eric Dier couldn’t possibly get his arm out of the way ... things even themselves out over a season ? ... seems they do but very tough on Fulham.

  • Comment posted by Football_fan23, at 19:55 4 Mar

    As a spurs fan happy with the win but that was very harsh on Fulham. Where is he supposed to put his hand??

    • Reply posted by Uncle Albert, at 20:02 4 Mar

      Uncle Albert replied:
      Do you really want to be told?

  • Comment posted by Holly, at 19:59 4 Mar

    Good to see Bale picking up some form, needs to do it against Top 6 sides though.

    I like Parker, real hard working Midfielder back in the day. Classic Chelsea signing too, whereby he warrants the transfer based on his performances but is only a squad player because of their talented squads. Loved him at Newcastle and Spurs too. Just seems like an honest bloke, refreshing. Hope Fulham survive.

    • Reply posted by Peter, at 20:50 4 Mar

      Peter replied:
      He was anonymous today

  • Comment posted by Spurs, at 20:07 4 Mar

    Dug that one out. Poor 2nd half but hats off to Fulham. They play some nice football. Shouldn't have been given handball but reminds me how we fell foul to similar in the Champions League Final after a minute.

    • Reply posted by Sue T, at 23:44 4 Mar

      Sue T replied:
      Absolutely!

  • Comment posted by Deano, at 19:57 4 Mar

    Football lost again tonight..

    • Reply posted by pablo, at 20:01 4 Mar

      pablo replied:
      Not really Fulham did.

  • Comment posted by RDW_SW, at 20:00 4 Mar

    Fulham totally robbed there. Deserved at least a point, just hope it doesn't cost them at the end of the season.

    • Reply posted by Nic77, at 20:08 4 Mar

      Nic77 replied:
      The FA must change the handball rule now!

      But no, they'll dad about and wait till summer to "review it"

      In Formula 1 when they see that a rule isn't working, they sort it and out change it for the next weekend.

      For some reason our authorities have to wait till the end of the season to change a rule which everyone can see is killer ng the game!!

  • Comment posted by Melto, at 19:54 4 Mar

    Harry Kane - blatant dive in the first half. Wasn’t touched and went down holding his shin to cheat a penalty. Var even checked it to confirm there was no contact. I know pretty much every big team has at least one or two culprits but Tottenham fans are you not really embarrassed by this?

    • Reply posted by kevin, at 19:57 4 Mar

      kevin replied:
      No, name a team that does not do it?

  • Comment posted by foreverblue, at 19:57 4 Mar

    Utterly ridiculous VAR decision to disallow the Fulham goal.
    Ball fired straight at him from 2 yds away with his arm by his side.
    Fulham were robbed of a point !!!

    • Reply posted by Junction 8 M27, at 19:58 4 Mar

      Junction 8 M27 replied:
      Robbed of the premier league Bye Bye

  • Comment posted by United Fan, at 20:06 4 Mar

    To all those that feel sorry for Fulham having the Handball goal correctly disallowed. The rules state that no team can prosper should the ball hit an attackers hand and result in a goal. End of story.

    • Reply posted by pint bitter, at 20:20 4 Mar

      pint bitter replied:
      Exzactly or teams who are losing will just shoot at players in the BOX witch makes a joke of the Game

  • Comment posted by Bridget, at 20:04 4 Mar

    Fulham look really good now.

  • Comment posted by Pooliscool13, at 20:01 4 Mar

    You’ve got to feel for Fulham, where are players meant to put their arms? It was by his side so are footballers meant to take their arms off before playing now? Come on VAR & those behind it, get to grips with it before you do, really kill football.

    • Reply posted by Captain Francois Dubonais, at 20:04 4 Mar

      Captain Francois Dubonais replied:
      It's nothing to do with VAR, it's the handball rule. Unfortunately for Fulham it also earned Newcastle a point at Spurs.

  • Comment posted by MalS, at 20:09 4 Mar

    Spurs fan here but unlucky Fulham. Hope you can stay up. Several Spurs players need resting . Really hanging on at the end. When Jose leaves then Spurs should seriously consider Scott Parker. He's turned Fulham into a very good footballing team

  • Comment posted by Uberti, at 20:31 4 Mar

    We just about got over the line but tbh I thought Fulham deserved a point. The disallowed goal was harsh but that's the rule, it's ludicrous. It's been said many times the way Fulham play they always impress but the points tally doesn't lie. I know that tonight didn't help but I sincerely wish Fulham & Scott Parker all the best for the rest of the season, I hope you stay up. 👍

  • Comment posted by push6, at 19:57 4 Mar

    Amazing that VAR robs Fulhams of a goal but the referees apparently have no problem with Kane diving constantly👻

    • Reply posted by fast_and_curious, at 19:59 4 Mar

      fast_and_curious replied:
      Blah. Blah. Blah 😢

  • Comment posted by Miss Highbury, at 20:49 4 Mar

    Neutral. VAR came in with good intentions but i think it's time to call it a failed experiment and just scrap it. Sure Refs make mistakes..but..so does VAR. Sometimes just a difference of opinion between the Ref and the VAR guy. IMOthe one key ingredient missing from VAR is "common sense"
    VAR has slowed the game..spoiled the game for the fans. The downside of VAR outweighs the upside IMO.Scrap it

    • Reply posted by jayums, at 20:52 4 Mar

      jayums replied:
      As a spud it pains to me to agree with you, but I agree with you . Has it improved the game? Nope. The beauty of football is that it's a simple game and the same rules apply down the park as at Wembley. Anything that moves away from that is to the detriment of the game