Shambolic Spurs a mess of a team with relegation red flags everywhere

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Tottenham are now winless in their last 10 league games - Ben Stansall/AFP

At midnight on Sunday we ticked into month three without a Premier League win for Tottenham, a wait that continues after another shambolic performance. The 2-1 scoreline flattered Spurs who ended the match looking like their relegation had just been confirmed. Across the pitch at Craven Cottage after the final whistle was a broken mess of a team, slumped on the turf, bent double, breathing hard or staring blankly into the middle distance with hands on their hips.

They remain four points clear of West Ham in 18th but the best results of another weekend to pass them by were defeats for West Ham and Nottingham Forest. There are many red flags which suggest a team is going down, a series of warning lights which flash up on their dashboard. Spurs seemed determined to trigger as many as possible in the first half.

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Marginal decisions went against them, early attacking promise was extinguished by laughable defensive vulnerability, the goalkeeper spotted his full-back as an easy out-ball when under pressure, the goalkeeper sliced his pass into the stands. Combine these traits and you summon a relegation doom loop which it can be difficult to escape from.

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Fulham looked reenergised by their win against Sunderland last weekend, a game which prolonged their European hopes. They were first to any loose balls and far more committed collectively than Igor Tudor’s disjointed team.

There was a fortunate tinge to the opening goal, with Raul Jimenez’s push on an airborne Radu Dragusin deemed beneath the VAR threshold. Harry Wilson lashed in gleefully. Alex Iwobi then scored with a ludicrously powerful side-footed finish from screamer range. He was allowed far too much time to play a simple one-two with Wilson, then pick his spot, despite his distance from goal.

Tottenham’s travelling fans did their best to gee up their ragtag bunch but sang “you’re not fit to wear the shirt” shortly after the second, with some justification. If Tudor deployed a hairdryer at half-time it was a frail 40-year old one from a neglected municipal gym. His team appeared just as clueless and detached after the break and Fulham nearly made it three via Emile Smith Rowe, who dragged wide from a tight angle, then had another shot well saved by the otherwise shaky Guglielmo Vicario.

A triple sub changed the mood, Richarlison, Pape Sarr and Mathys Tel all looked significantly keener to leave a mark on the game, and their opponents. Good work from Tel on the left led to a crossing opportunity for Archie Gray, Richarlison pounced on indecision from Ryan Sessegnon to head in, then put his arm around Calvin Bassey’s neck when attempting to retrieve the ball. Some fight, at last.

Interim head coach Igor Tudor seemingly has no answer to Spurs’ plight - Rob Newell/Getty Images

One of the sticks used to beat modern, top-level football is that it is increasingly a game of 11 duels, elite, physical super soldiers bashing up against one another with a resulting loss of grace. Judged by that metric, Tottenham are failing comprehensively. None of their players got the better of their opposite numbers consistently. More worryingly, few looked keen or capable enough to do anything about it.

There are chances coming to rescue their season and rediscover what it takes to win. Crystal Palace at home on Thursday is promising, Nottingham Forest at home the week after could hold the key to their fate. But with each defeat and performance like this the uplift required looks further away. Leave it much later and their revival will begin in the Championship.

More to follow...

04:45pm

Thanks for joining us

That brings our coverage of Fulham’s win over Spurs to an end, as the north London side extended their winless run in the Premier League to 10 games, meaning they remain just four points above the relegation zone. 

Things are going better in the red half of north London, with Arsenal continuing to top the table, and they are now looking to extend their advantage back to five points as they host Chelsea. You can follow our coverage of that one here. 

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04:43pm

Allowing Fulham’s first goal was ‘incredible mistake’ from officials, says Tudor

Asked about Fulham’s first goal, Igor Tudor: “Of course it’s a foul. Incredible mistake.”

On thoughts of relegation: “We are just thinking about the next game. We don’t need to think about that [relegation] not because it cannot happen, but we must focus on growing mentality as a team, concentration, physically. These are the only goals we must have.”

04:41pm

‘We lacked everything’ - Tudor says Spurs have ‘big problems’

Spurs boss Igor Tudor speaking to Sky Sports: “We were not good, lacked everything. Attacking and defending. Fulham were much better. There are problems here, big problems. We need to stay calm, believe in what we are doing in training, and get out, staying all together.

“These are not things to speak outside, we speak in the dressing room. The problems are more complex [than attitude and commitment] second half was better, but the first half was not enough.”

Igor Tudor, interim manager of Tottenham Hotspur - Harry Murphy/Getty Images04:37pm

‘It is really serious’ - Hart on Spurs’ perilous position

Former Spurs goalkeeper Joe Hart has said on BBC radio: “28 games played now, and Spurs are looking at the table with 29 points on the board.

“It is serious, it is really serious. Now, that is the only thing their focus can be on this season. Obviously, they have got the ironic Champions League to enjoy, but when it comes to the league it is about amassing as many points as possible.”

04:35pm

Silva full of praise for Fulham

Fulham boss Marco Silva on the form of Harry Wilson: “ His quality, self confidence, that’s it. We have to keep going. The foot is on the gas, he is always there and working hard. 

“He scored, but worked hard off the ball. He’s not just about scoring, assisting and being decisive in the front line, he works hard off the ball. I’m delighted with him. He is working very hard and when the moments come he delivers important things for us.

On Issa Diop coming into the team: “At this moment of the year [Ramadam] it’s not easy for players like him. He was not in the squad list, but we called him after the problem with Joachim [Anderson]. Issa was top.”

On Alex Iwobi: “He practices a lot, these type of moments. He prefers to finish moments with quality, pass to goal instead of power. What a goal for him. The finishing was top level. His overall performance was a very high level, he is having a great season.”

04:32pm

Silva: The superiority was clear

Fulham boss Marco Silva speaking to Sky Sports: “It was a game for us to win in a different way in terms of goal-soring, the superiority was clear from the first half to last moments of the game. So many chances ,we were clinical first half, second half we created lot of chances.

“If you don’t kill the game with a third goal it’s always open if they sore one goal, and the did that. But I have to be delighted, creating chances like we did today shows quality. Creating the chances inside the box was top level from us.

“Defensively we did ok, we should have done better with the goal, but congratulations for the players. We deserved the three points, but we have to move on.”

04:31pm

Spurs’ remaining games

March

  • Crystal Palace (H)
  • Liverpool (A)
  • Nottingham Forest (H)

April

  • Sunderland (A)
  • Brighton (H)
  • Wolves (A)

May

  • Aston Villa (A)
  • Leeds (H)
  • Chelsea (A)
  • Everton (H)
04:24pm

Spurs equal record for winless run

Spurs’ 10-game run without a victory equals their longest winless streak in the Premier League (D4 L6), only previously going 10 consecutive games without victory in the competition between January and March 1994 under Ossie Ardiles. 

04:17pm

‘My team-mates weren’t surprised’ - Iwobi on ‘unique’ goal

Fulham goal-scorer Alex Iwobi speaking to Sky Sports: “Another London derby, a special moment when we play in front of our fans, we are grateful we were able to get that result today

“We feel we controlled the game and created a lot of opportunities to score, but if you don’t take them it becomes shaky. Credit to us we were able to stay strong towards the end.”

On the form of Harry Wilson: “H is a special player, when he has the ball we know he will create something or score. We give him that trust and freedom to do as he pleases.”

On how to describe his goal: “Unique - that’s the best way to put it. I don’t think anyone has groins to open up their hip and side-foot it like that. When H passes to me I had one though to side foot it. I do it in training, so my team-mates weren’t surprised.”

On pushing for Europe: “We were ambitious from the start of the season, we need o stay consistent. We see quality in training every day, we need to bring that into matches. we need to stay mentally strong and keep together.”

04:13pm

Up next

Spurs will look to end their rotten run of results on Thursday with a home against Crystal Palace. Their 1-0 win at Palace at the end of December is their last victory in the league. 

As for Fulham, they host West Ham on Wednesday in another London derby on home soil. 

04:08pm

Poor start for Tudor

Igor Tudor is the second Spurs manager to lose both of their first two Premier League games in charge, after Martin Jol in November 2004.

04:06pm

Fulham looking up

Fulham leapfrog Bournemouth into ninth spot, trailing eighth-placed Everton only on goal difference, while they are three points adrift of Brentford in seventh. 

04:04pm

Relegation form for Spurs

Spurs are now winless in their last 10 league fixtures, taking just four points, the fewest of any side in the league during that period. 

Looking at their last 20 games, only Burnley and Wolves have picked up fewer points in that time. 

04:01pm

Spurs remain above Forest but in perilous position

Spurs have failed to capitalise on West Ham’s defeat on Saturday and instead remain four points above the relegation zone. 

Forest’s defeat at the Amex is a small bonus for the north London side, with it meaning they remain in 16th rather than slipping to 17th. 

03:59pm

Elsewhere this afternoon

It’s been an afternoon of 2-1 victories for the home teams today, with United coming from behind to beat Palace at Old Trafford, while Brighton got the better of Nottingham Forest on the South Coast.

03:57pm

Full time: Fulham 2 Tottenham Hotspur 1

Palhinha prods an effort goal-bound but it’s blocked by the hosts and the full-time whistle follows shortly after.

It’s a deserved win for Fulham and another damaging defeat for Spurs. They are now winless in their last 10 in the league. 

03:56pm

90+7 mins: Fulham 2 Tottenham Hotspur 1

Cairney gives the ball away poorly in midfield and it leads to another Spurs corner down their left flank, with Vicario coming forward now for this one. 

Once again, it’s punched away by Leno. Spurs keep the move alive but Fulham deal with the next ball into the box. Fulham then give away a free-kick, it’s now or never for Spurs... 

03:54pm

90+5 mins: Fulham 2 Tottenham Hotspur 1

Spurs win a corner down their left through Tel but it’s punched away by Leno and Bassey then earns his side a very welcome free-kick. 

That decision could have probably gone the other way, with Bassey getting a good hold of Palhinha, and the Spurs players show their frustration. Porro goes into the book for his complaints. 

03:53pm

90+3 mins: Fulham 2 Tottenham Hotspur 1

Cairney chops down Porro in Spurs’ half and earns himself a booking. 

Spurs then win a long throw following the free-kick and it will be launched in from Danso, but the hosts deal with the aerial threat once again. 

03:51pm

90+2 mins: Fulham 2 Tottenham Hotspur 1

Impetus fading now from Spurs, who have failed to seize the initiative after Richarlison’s goal. Fulham have shut up shop pretty convincingly. Standing ovation for the excellent Iwobi as he comes off. 

03:50pm

90+1 mins: Fulham 2 Tottenham Hotspur 1

Tudor is making his final substitution as well, with Danso replacing Dragusin, perhaps with his long-throw ability in mind. 

There will be six minutes of stoppage time for Spurs to find an equaliser. 

03:49pm

90 mins: Fulham 2 Tottenham Hotspur 1

A couple of breaks in midfield go the way of Spurs and they suddenly have an overload down their left. Souzza is found on the overlap and his pull-back finds Sarr but the midfielder flashes an effort wide of the near post. 

Silva is making his final change of the day with Cuenca coming on for the closing stages in place of Iwobi, who has been wonderful again today. 

03:46pm

86 mins: Fulham 2 Tottenham Hotspur 1

Fulham are probing on the edge of the Spurs box once more and Chukwueze shows wonderful feet to dance into the area before finding Muniz, but the ball gets away from the striker.

Moments later and Sessegnon is fed into the left of the area once again but his low ball fizzes across the face of goal with a white shirt unable to get a touch on it. 

03:43pm

83 mins: Fulham 2 Tottenham Hotspur 1

Gray goes to the opposite side of the pitch to right midfield, with Sarr stepping inside to central midfield. 

These was a sense of momentum with Spurs following their goal but Silva’s changes have had their desired effect, just disrupting the rhythm of the match once more and swinging things back in the way of the hosts. 

03:40pm

81 mins: Fulham 2 Tottenham Hotspur 1

Fulham counter really well again following a Spurs throw into the box and Chukwueze can pick out Muniz inside the area but his effort on the turn is easy for Vicario to deal with. 

Another change now from Spurs with Souza on for Bissouma. That will probably see Gray come into midfield. 

03:38pm

79 mins: Fulham 2 Tottenham Hotspur 1

Fulham break from back to front with a wonderful move and it ends with Iwobi taking aim with a curling effort, coming in off the left, but it goes high and wide. 

Spurs quickly come back the other way and win a corner down their left but it’s flicked away by Diop. 

03:35pm

76 mins: Fulham 2 Tottenham Hotspur 1

The ball drops to Cairney on the edge of the area and he has the time to line up a shot but he drags his effort wide of the right post.

He knows he had to hit the target from there. 

03:34pm

75 mins: Fulham 2 Tottenham Hotspur 1

Silva makes another change immediately after the triple-change, with Bobb making way after his first league start for the club and King coming on for the hosts. 

03:32pm

73 mins: Fulham 2 Tottenham Hotspur 1

Silva is sensing the change in momentum and he is responding with a triple-change. 

Wilson, who appears to be struggling with some kind of injury, Smith Rowe and Jimenez make way, with Chukwueze, Cairney and Muniz coming off the bench for the final 20 minutes. 

03:30pm

70 mins: Fulham 2 Tottenham Hotspur 1

Spurs are quickly coming back again, looking to draw level, and Tel is found in a promising position in the left of the area but Tete gets a crucial foot in.

The resulting corner comes to nothing but the mood is very different now inside Craven Cottage. The hosts will be kicking themselves at their missed chances.

03:27pm

GOAL! Richarlison halves deficit with header

Fulham 2 Tottenham Hotspur 1 (Richarlison) Fulham have had their chances to make it three but they could be made to pay now, with Richarlison getting his side back in it.

Gray is found on the overlap and he hangs a cross up to the back post, picking out Richarlison, who heads down into the bottom right corner.

The Brazilian then gets involved in an altercation with Bassey as he looks to retrieve the ball and both players go into the book. 

03:24pm

64 mins: Fulham 2 Tottenham Hotspur 0

It really has to be three! Iwobi has so much time in midfield and can pick out the run of Smith-Rowe, who has acres of space in the right of the area, but Vicario rushes out and charges down the former Arsenal man’s strike. 

Moments later and Van de Ven crashes into Jimenez, earning himself a booking. That was a challenge of complete frustration from the defender. 

03:21pm

61 mins: Fulham 2 Tottenham Hotspur 0

Tel looks to have an immediate impact, going on a mazy run down Spurs’ left but Iwobi gets back to stop him in his tracks and the home side can break. 

Wilson is found on Fulham’s right and he looks to twist and turn past Dragusin into the area but his poked cross at the end of his run doesn’t have enough on it. 

As Spurs come back the other way, Diop body-checks Richarlison and goes into the book. 

03:19pm

59 mins: Fulham 2 Tottenham Hotspur 0

Tudor is turning to his bench now, with Sarr, Richarlison and Tel replacing Gallagher, Kolo Muani and Simons. A disappointing afternoon for the trio making way. 

03:15pm

55 mins: Fulham 2 Tottenham Hotspur 0

Bobb and Iwobi combine nicely to release the former City man into the left of the box and his low ball picks out Jimenez but his sweeping effort is blocked superbly by Van de Ven on the slide. 

The resulting corner comes to nothing but it’s another really nice move from the hosts. 

03:14pm

54 mins: Fulham 2 Tottenham Hotspur 0

Spurs are gifted a great opening by a mistake from Bassey, with Gallagher found in space in the right of the area, but his low ball across the face of goal fails to pick out a team-mate. 

Moments later and Kolo Muani is asking for penalty, feeling he was being barged over by Diop, but the referee correctly judges that is was just shoulder-to-shoulder contact. 

03:12pm

52 mins: Fulham 2 Tottenham Hotspur 0

It’s another great chance for three! Bobb pinches the ball back from Palhinha before driving to the edge of the area and sliding Smith Rowe into the left of the box.

He could square it to Jimenez but instead looks to go alone and his left-footed effort bobbles just wide of the far post. He may have been offside. 

03:10pm

50 mins: Fulham 2 Tottenham Hotspur 0

It’s a pretty flat start to the second period, which will suit Fulham just fine. Sessegnon has the first effort of the half, taking aim with his weaker right foot from range, but it goes harmlessly over. 

03:09pm

49 mins: Fulham 2 Tottenham Hotspur 0

Desperate stuff from Spurs in the first half, impressive showing from Fulham. You sense their fans realise the team is at risk of complacency, there have been more grumbles than you might expect for a team 2-0 up at half time.

A Spurs goal would alter the momentum significantly, but they have looked a long way from that so far. Best they have mustered is a few fortunate corners from deflections and wayward headers.

03:05pm

46 mins: Fulham 2 Tottenham Hotspur 0

We are back underway at Craven Cottage, with Spurs kicking things off, going from left to right in this second period as they look to get back into this contest.

There are no changes from either side at the break.

03:01pm

Wilson continues hot streak

Since the start of December, only Erling Haaland (14) has more goal involvements in the Premier League than Fulham’s Harry Wilson (11 - 6 goals, 5 assists).

02:59pm

Spurs staying 16th

With Forest also losing at Brighton, Spurs remain in 16th as things stand. 

02:50pm

Half-time: Fulham 2 Tottenham Hotspur 0

Spurs fail to threaten in the rest of stoppage-time and Fulham have a well-deserved 2-0 lead at the break.

The half-time whistle is met with boos from the travelling support. 

02:47pm

45+1 mins: Fulham 2 Tottenham Hotspur 0

As four minutes of added time are announced, Fulham win a corner down their left as they look to finish the half strongly. 

It should be three! The ball is half-cleared by Dragusin but it’s hooked back into the dangerzone by Bobb. It lands with Bassey just outside the six-yard box but he makes a mess of his attempt, sending it high and wide. 

02:45pm

45 mins: Fulham 2 Tottenham Hotspur 0

Iwobi has been pulling the strings for Fulham in this opening period and he is at the heart of their latest attack.

It ends with Bassey delivering a dangerous cross into the area, which Vicario nearly spills to Jimenez, but the Spurs keeper just about claws it back into his grasp.

02:41pm

40 mins: Fulham 2 Tottenham Hotspur 0

Spurs are having their best moment of the match now, with Fulham really on the back foot for the first time in the match.

The ball drops to Kolo Muani and Palhinha in promising areas in quick succession, but both have efforts blocked by Bassey.

02:39pm

39 mins: Fulham 2 Tottenham Hotspur 0

Not sure I’ve ever seen a side-footed finish hit that powerfully. If you can’t try that sort of thing against this Tottenham side then when can you? 

“You’re not fit to wear the shirt” sing the Spurs supporters. With some justification, how was Iwobi able to play that simple a one-two and score from that range? Supremely unbothered defending. 

02:39pm

38 mins: Fulham 2 Tottenham Hotspur 0

A wayward header from Jimenez gifts Spurs a corner but Dragusin hooks a volley well over the bar. He had to do better there, in a fair amount of space.

02:35pm

GOAL! Iwobi doubles Fulham’s lead with sumptuous strike

Fulham 2 Tottenham Hotspur 0 (Iwobi) It goes from bad to worse for Spurs but it’s a really nice goal from the hosts.

Iwobi combines with Wilson on the edge of the box before guiding an effort into the bottom left corner, in off the post, with a pinpoint, side-footed finish.

The midfielder was over towards Fulham’s right, meaning the strike had to be really accurate to beat Vicario, but it was executed perfectly, with a remarkable amount of power.

02:34pm

33 mins: Fulham 1 Tottenham Hotspur 0

Fulham put together another tidy move that releases Sessegnon down their left flank but his cross takes a nick and goes over everyone. 

02:32pm

32 mins: Fulham 1 Tottenham Hotspur 0

Spurs supporters sticking with their team, although not many joining in with a chant of “Come on you Spurs”. A few more moved to join in for “Can’t Smile Without You,” call it the Manilow effect. But loudest song of their afternoon so far is “We want Enic out”.

02:29pm

28 mins: Fulham 1 Tottenham Hotspur 0

Bassey looks to pick out the run of Wilson with a long ball over the top but the Welshman comes together with Gray and the ball runs through to Vicario. 

There are some half-hearted appeals for a penalty but there was nothing in that. 

02:26pm

26 mins: Fulham 1 Tottenham Hotspur 0

Spurs put together their best move of the match to release Kolo Muani into the right of the area but Diop comes across to make a superb sliding challenge, just as the striker was lining up an effort on goal. 

02:24pm

24 mins: Fulham 1 Tottenham Hotspur 0

No crime to be losing this or any other game in the Premier League but striking how much more committed Fulham look. They are the team keeping lost causes in play, moving as a unit to force their opponents back when out of possession, snapping into everything with more speed and determination than Tottenham. Igor Tudor’s team not playing with enough urgency.

02:21pm

20 mins: Fulham 1 Tottenham Hotspur 0

Fulham go close to doubling their advantage as the ball drops to Tete just inside the area but he lashes a left-footed strike just wide of the right post. 

There’s a sore one for Porro, getting a stamp on the foot from Berge, but he will be okay to carry on as he makes his return from a hamstring injury. 

02:19pm

18 mins: Fulham 1 Tottenham Hotspur 0

Do Spurs have a right to feel aggrieved after this goal was ruled out last weekend? Igor Tudor may certainly think so. 

02:18pm

17 mins: Fulham 1 Tottenham Hotspur 0

Spurs earn a corner down their left and while Fulham win the initial header, the ball drops to Porro in acres on the edge of the box, but his half-volley sails way over. 

02:15pm

16 mins: Fulham 1 Tottenham Hotspur 0

Promising start to the game for Spurs which quickly faded as soon as Fulham put together their first meaningful attack. Goodness me they look vulnerable. 

Slight surprise the goal was allowed to stand, as Dragusin was seemingly pushed in the air by Jimenez, but not enough of a foul to meet my extremely high threshold for VAR intervention. “Say hello to QPR” sing the Fulham fans.

02:15pm

15 mins: Fulham 1 Tottenham Hotspur 0

There is a brief break in play here following a clash of heads involving Jimenez, who still wears some protection on his head following his horrific injury for Wolves a few seasons ago. 

It looks as if the striker will be okay to continue and we are back underway at Craven Cottage. 

02:12pm

11 mins: Fulham 1 Tottenham Hotspur 0

Spurs will feel hard done by with a foul on Dragusin not being given there, particularly after Kolo Muani’s goal against Arsenal which was ruled out, for a similar push by the striker on Gabriel, with both arms in the back.

Fulham are quickly looking to double their lead with Sessegnon found in space down their left but his low ball is cut out by Dragusin at the near post and the resulting corner is cleared.

02:08pm

GOAL! Wilson hammers Fulham ahead from close range

Fulham 1 Tottenham Hotspur 0 (Wilson) That didn’t take long! Spurs are already behind and it’s that man Wilson once again for the hosts.

Tete’s cross from deep finds Bobb at the back post and the new signing steers a ball back across goal, picking out Wilson, who hooks a powerful volley past Vicario.

There will be a VAR check for a potential foul from Jimenez, with Spurs adamant there was a push on Dragusin. The striker does nudge the defender with both hands as the cross comes in from Tete, but the goal stands!

02:06pm

6 mins: Fulham 0 Tottenham Hotspur 0

A clumsy challenge from Dragusin on Jimenez gives Fulham the chance to load the box and Wilson’s free-kick picks out Diop around the back but his header is cleared by the visitors. 

A really sloppy pass from Gallagher then gifts Fulham a corner down the hosts’ left-hand side but Gray rises well to head away. 

02:04pm

3 mins: Fulham 0 Tottenham Hotspur 0

So, it appears Gallagher is going to be operating from the right this afternoon, in the right of midfield more than as a wing-back based on the opening few minutes, with Spurs seeming to set up with a back four.

There’s nearly an early opening for Spurs as Simons plays a delicate ball into the area with the outside of his right boot, but it doesn’t quite reach Gallagher at the back post. 

02:01pm

1 min: Fulham 0 Tottenham Hotspur 0

We are underway at Craven Cottage, with Fulham and Iwobi kicking things off, going from left to right in this opening period. 

The hosts are in all-white, with Spurs in an all-back strip. 

01:56pm

Kick-off approaching

The players have emerged onto the pitch at Craven Cottage and we are less than five minutes away from kick-off. 

01:54pm

As things stand down at the bottom

Spurs can extend their buffer over the relegation zone to seven points this afternoon, but defeat at Craven Cottage could see them drop to 17th with Forest visiting Brighton. 

01:51pm

Craven Cottage a dying breed

There can’t be many grounds left in the country, and certainly none in the Premier League, with wooden seats. That is what I am writing to you from in the Johnny Haynes stand, with the same style in the whole upper portion of Archibald Leitch’s creation.

Over on the other side of the pitch the new Riverside stand, with its £120 matchday tickets and built-in swimming pool. Bit nippy for a dip today. 

Fulham warm up at Craven Cottage - Eddie Keogh/Getty Images01:48pm

New-look back three for Spurs

Based on Spurs’ warm-up, it appears as if they are starting with a back three of Porro, Dragusin and Van de Ven. 

Palhinha started in the right centre-back role against Arsenal last weekend but it looks as if he is going to be back in his natural midfield position this afternoon. 

Gray started as right-wing back in the derby, so he may well be there once again, but it is unclear who will be at left-wing back this week with Spence not in the squad. 

01:43pm

Unhappy New Year

Spurs are the only side in the Premier League without a victory in 2026 so far, failing to win any of their nine matches (D4 L5).

 It’s only the fourth time they’ve gone through January and February without a league win, along with 1935 (7 games), 1994 (7) and 1999 (6).

January:

  • Brentford 0 Spurs 0
  • Spurs 1 Sunderland 1
  • Bournemouth 3 Spurs 2
  • Spurs 1 West Ham 2
  • Burnley 2 Spurs 2

February:

  • Spurs 2 Manchester City 2
  • Manchester United 2 Spurs 0
  • Spurs 1 Newcastle 2
  • Spurs 1 Arsenal 4
01:39pm

Spurs’ recent struggles at Craven Cottage

After winning seven consecutive away league games against Fulham between 2010 and 2023, Spurs have now lost their last two at Craven Cottage by an aggregate score of 5-0.

01:36pm

Watch: Tudor on Fulham clash

Speaking to Sky Sports, Igor Tudor has said this afternoon: “I’m happy with what I saw in the week, we’ve worked on a lot of things.

“We want to come here and have a good performance to see things are better in both sides. The mentality is important, I believe today will be a good game from us.

“It is key to start on the basics, not concede a goal, run, and fight. They [Fulham] are a good quality team with good players and a good coach.”

On Dominic Solanke starting:“Fantastic player, so we missed him for a long period of the year, so we are happy that he is back.”

01:29pm

Fulham focused on their own game, says Silva

Fulham boss Marco Silva, speaking to Sky Sports: “It is always a great opportunity every time you step out on the pitch and put a shirt on during the matchday. 

“We don’t prepare our games by looking at the position our opponent is. It is about ourselves and what we have to do. It is important to not underestimate any team in the league.”

01:26pm

Silva on Jimenez future

Marco Silva said this week he is open to conversations with Raul Jimenez regarding another season at Fulham, with the striker in the final year of his contract.

Silva said: “We are pleased with him. It’s been a difficult season for him in terms of the load. At his age, the way he is helping the team - it’s been a good season.”

The Mexican bagged a brace last Sunday as Fulham beat Sunderland 3-1 at the Stadium of Light, taking his league tally for the season to eight.

01:21pm

Fulham dominate fixture in recent seasons

Fulham have won three of their last four Premier League games against Spurs (D1), as many as they had in their previous 26 (D6 L17).

Having won 2-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in November, Fulham are looking to complete the league double over Spurs for just the second time in their history, after the 2003-04 Premier League campaign.

01:18pm

Silva hopes Fulham ‘don’t give Spurs day to react’

Asked about facing Spurs, Fulham boss Marco Silva said this week: “The position they’re in is below their standards. 

“Their season has not been the best but I have enough maturity and experience to know that these kinds of games can be tricky and not to underestimate a group of players who want to react. Let’s hope we don’t give them the day to react.”

On the threat of a new manager bounce, he said: “When you face coaches who have been in the job already, they might have a different plan and you have to be ready from the first moment of the game. The change of manager won’t be an excuse.”

Marco Silva arrives at Craven Cottage - Harry Murphy/Getty Images01:14pm

The scene in west London

Igor Tudor and his staff at Craven Cottage - Eddie Keogh/Getty ImagesMicky van de Ven of Tottenham Hotspur arrives - Harry Murphy/Getty Images01:11pm

Tudor: Spurs role harder than expected

Asked this week if the job as Tottenham’s interim head coach was harder than he expected, Igor Tudor replied: “Probably yes. I agree with you. Very tough, but it is what I said before, I don’t change my opinion. That is it. 

“So daily work, focus on all things we need to do - physical condition, mental condition, performance and waiting on [injured] players to come back. So we need to be focused on us, what we can do, less thinking about others and it should be good.”

On Spurs’ injury crisis, he said: “The problem is the lack of numbers we have in the team. There’s the problem - if you need to play every three days with 10,12, 13. 

“Also it’s not only about spending physical energy but also mental energy when every game for us in the league is a final. Not an ideal situation.”

01:06pm

Porro return a boost for Spurs

It’s come to something when the return of Pedro Porro is hailed by Tottenham as seismically good news. The right-back is in from the start at Craven Cottage at Ismaila Sarr’s expense, with Dominic Solanke replacing Djed Spence from the XI which started against Arsenal.

Oscar Bobb and Issa Diop in for Andersen and Kevin for Fulham after an impressive win at Sunderland.

01:02pm

Tudor on derby defeat and Van de Ven clip

Reflecting on Sunday’s defeat by Arsenal in his first game in charge, Spurs boss Igor Tudor said: “The less we speak, the better it is. It’s about focusing on the daily work in training to climb up the table.”

Tudor was asked about a clip that surfaced on social media of Van de Ven appearing to ignore him during the North London derby defeat.

He said: “I saw that, but it was not an instruction to Micky, it was an instruction to the team, to go up. It was not about Micky. It was about the team coming up. We want to go up, because we want to play this style, that we press high, but the team is complicated at this moment. It’s too much for them.

“So that’s why it was the frustration of all that, but this is part of it, nothing special happened. He’s a fantastic professional and a fantastic guy, he would not do something like this.”

Igor Tudor gives instructions to Yves Bissouma and Micky van de Ven - David Klein/Reuters12:58pm

Spurs’ rotten run

Tottenham have not won any of their nine league games since the turn of the year. No side in the league has picked up fewer points from their last 10 fixtures.

January:

  • Brentford 0 Spurs 0
  • Spurs 1 Sunderland 1
  • Bournemouth 3 Spurs 2
  • Spurs 1 West Ham 2
  • Burnley 2 Spurs 2

February:

  • Spurs 2 Manchester City 2
  • Manchester United 2 Spurs 0
  • Spurs 1 Newcastle 2
  • Spurs 1 Arsenal 4
Spurs are winless in 2026 - Andrew Couldridge/Reuters12:52pm

Those line-ups in full

Fulham: Leno; Tete, Diop, Bassey, Sessegnon; Berge, Iwobi; Wilson, Smith Rowe, Bobb; Jimenez.

Subs: Chukwueze, Cairney, Castagne, Cuenca, Robinson, King, Lecomte, Muniz, Reed. 

Tottenham Hotspur: Vicario; Porro, Palhinha, Dragusin, Van de Ven, Gray; Gallagher, Bissouma, Simons; Kolo Muani, Solanke.

Subs: Austin, Olusesi, Rowswell, Sarr, Tel, Danso, Kinsky, Richarlison, Souza. 

12:49pm

Tudor makes two changes - Porro and Solanke come in

There are two changes to the Spurs side following their thrashing in the north London derby, with Tudor bringing in Porro and Solanke for Spence and Sarr.

12:46pm

Fulham make two changes - Bobb makes first league start since move

Marco Silva has made two changes to his Fulham team following their win at Sunderland, bringing in Diop and Bobb to replace Anderson and Kevin.

12:41pm

As things stand

Spurs are just four points above the relegation zone, but can create a seven-point buffer following West Ham’s defeat on Saturday. 

12:36pm

Injury news

Igor Tudor confirmed this week that both Pedro Porro and Kevin Danso are back and available following respective hamstring and toe injuries, while Micky van de Ven has a “small problem in his little finger” but is “okay”.

Fulham will be without Kevin, who has injured his fifth metatarsal and will be out for “some weeks”, according to Marco Silva.

The Fulham boss added: “A big blow for us. Slowly we start to see the reason he was brought in, the quality was becoming more difficult for opponents to control.”

Sasa Lukic and Samuel Chukwueze could be in contention but their involvement was to be decided following a final training session on Friday. 

Pedro Porro is available for Spurs following a spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury - Justin Setterfield/Getty Images12:29pm

Spurs in desperate need of victory at Fulham amid relegation battle

Good afternoon, and welcome to live coverage of Fulham vs Tottenham Hotspur from the Premier League, with the visitors desperately looking to climb away from the relegation zone. 

Spurs currently sit 16th in the table, just four points above West Ham United in 18th, with relegation now an alarmingly possible prospect for the north London club after failing to win any of their nine league games since the turn of the year. 

West Ham’s 5-2 defeat at Liverpool on Saturday means Spurs will not slide any further towards the drop zone this weekend, but with Nottingham Forest making the trip to Brighton this afternoon, defeat at Craven Cottage could see them slip to 17th by full time.

Igor Tudor’s appointment did not have the desired effect for last weekend’s north London derby, with an injury-ravaged Spurs losing 4-1 against Arsenal for the second time this season.

Despite Pedro Porro and Kevin Danso becoming available for selection this weekend, the Spurs boss will continue to be hamstrung by absences and admitted on Thursday that the job at hand is harder than he expected.

Spurs take on a Fulham side who ended a run of three successive defeats last weekend with an impressive 3-1 victory away at Sunderland, who had previously lost just once at the Stadium of Light this season. 

Marco Silva’s side start the afternoon in 10th but could climb up to eighth with victory against Spurs, who they have beaten in three of their last four league meetings. 

Having claimed a 2-1 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in November, the west London outfit have the opportunity to complete the league double over Spurs for the second time in their history and for the first time since the 2003-04 campaign. 

Igor Tudor got off to the worst possible start as Tottenham boss - Glyn Kirk/Getty ImagesTry full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays.

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