As each passing week goes by, the threat of relegation becomes more real for Tottenham. This is no longer a quirk that it can be assumed will automatically be corrected. The monster exists, it is getting closer and fear is beginning to set in and make itself seen in their play. Defeat on Sunday was not only far more emphatic than the scoreline might suggest, but it was Spurs’ fourth reverse in a row, extending their run without a win in the Premier League to 10. The only sliver of relief was that all their relegation rivals lost as well.
But this was grim stuff from Tottenham. Although they were well beaten by Arsenal last week, it had at least been possible to discern vague glimmers of hope in their capacity to get bodies in the way, or in the aggression of Randal Kolo Muani. There was none of that here. Spurs were limp, apathetic. The 4-4-2 Igor Tudor slightly surprisingly deployed didn’t work. Conor Gallagher had a nightmare. Xavi Simons was nonexistent. Kolo Muani kept running the ball out of play, as though surprised the pitch were not significantly bigger. All three were withdrawn just before the hour.
Fulham were more aggressive, more decisive, more coherent, better. They missed a string of good chances, particularly in a spell just after half-time, slicing through Spurs with disconcerting ease. That none were taken gave Spurs a chance, and good hold-up play from Mathys Tel led to Archie Gray crossing for Richarlison to nod in. There were still 24 minutes remaining, and the possibility of a hugely unlikely comeback suddenly presented itself. It never materialised. Fulham responded to the Spurs changes with substitutions of their own, and the flow of chances, if not quite so torrential as it had been, continued.
