While Tottenham might have been handed the chance to break into the Champions League spots on Saturday evening, Spurs fell to a shock 3-0 drumming away at Fulham.
Although Ange Postecoglou’s men might have been looking to make another top-four statement, it was Fulham who dominated large proceedings and took a more than worthy lead as the red-hot Rodrigo Muniz opened the scoring moments before the interval.
Flying out of the traps when returning from the half-time break and with both Muniz and Sasa Lukic breaching Spurs’ leaky defence just before the hour-mark, Marco Silva’s men certainly put in a season-best performance here.
Now winning three of their previous four Premier League appearances, some in west London could be eyeing a late European charge.
While Tottenham might have travelled across the capital having won all of their previous seven trips to Craven Cottage, the Lilywhites missed out in what was another must-win showdown.
Failing to find the net for the first time in a Premier League matchup this season, the top-four dreamers have also continued to show some extended inconsistencies on the road.
On an evening when Spurs saw their Champions League ambitions take a major dent, we have taken a look at the key talking points from Craven Cottage.
Fulham should still be eyeing a late European charge
Although Silva might have been quick to downplay Fulham’s European ambitions this season, Saturday’s hosts should be starting to believe that they can mount a genuine charge over the final couple of months.
While most of Saturday’s pre-match attention might have been stolen by Tottenham’s Champions League battle, the former Everton boss has seen his squad once again gain plenty of plaudits.
Making what was a major statement here and more than deserving of three points, the Cottagers have now won three of their previous four Premier League fixtures and appear to be hitting form at a crucial time.
Finishing Saturday’s fixtures sat just two points adrift of Newcastle and breaking into the top-half, Silva’s men should be relishing the chance to embark on a famous European charge.
Enjoying what was a remarkable 3-0 romp here and backed by a vocal home support at Craven Cottage, Fulham have also been handed a golden opportunity next time out when they travel to Sheffield United following March s international break.
Tottenham’s top-four dreams take a major hit
Laying down what was a stellar marker last weekend as they stormed their way to a 4-0 romp away at Aston Villa, Tottenham were desperate to use that potentially season-defining performance as a platform to build on.
Arriving at Craven Cottage on Saturday evening knowing that three points would have been enough to skyrocket them back into the Champions League spots, Spurs will certainly face a real backlash here.
With their trip across the capital rightfully billed as another must-win affair, Postecoglou should have a mounting headache over his side’s inconstancies away from north London.
Completely blown away here and failing to find any kind of positives, the former Celtic boss has seen his squad win just a pair of their previous eight Premier League showdowns on the road a run that stems all the way back to October 27th.
Signing off 2023 with an action-packed 4-2 drumming at the hands of Brighton, Tottenham have also now shipped at least a pair of goals in six of those eight away appearances.
Who can stop Muniz?
Only mustering a pair of Championship performances while on loan with Middlesbrough last season, Muniz is certainly enjoying a remarkable rags-to-riches story in west London.
Although Fulham might have welcomed Armando Broja to Craven Cotta during January’s transfer window, it has been Muniz who has continued to spearhead Silva’s charge over the past six weeks.
Once again bagging a Premier League brace here and causing Tottenham’s defence a string of issues, the 22-year-old has now notched seven top-flight goals since the first week of February.
Doing a stellar job of filling the void in Raul Jimenez’s absence, Silva has been filled with praise for the impact that his budding attacking talisman has played in the capital.
Now leading the chase to claim Fulham’s Golden Boot this season, it is no surprise that Muniz is attracting plenty of reported heavyweight interest ahead of the summer transfer window.
Match Report
Fulham: Leno, Castagne, Tosin, Bassey, Robinson, Palhinha, Lukic, Iwobi, Pereira, Willian, Muniz
Subs: Tete, Reed, De Cordova-Reid, Wilson, Jimenez
Tottenham: Vicario, Porro, Romero, Dragusin, Udogie, Sarr, Bissouma, Kulusevski, Maddison, Johnson, Son
Subs: Lo Celso, Richarlison, Werner, Hojbjerg
Goals: Muniz (42’, 61’), Lukic (49’)
Yellow Cards: Fulham: Palhinha, Reed Tottenham: Johnson, Bissouma, Bentancur
Red Cards: N/A
Referee: Robert Jones
