Tottenham Hotspur continued their stellar run this season, marking their best start to a top-flight campaign in over six decades with a convincing 2-0 win over Fulham. This victory catapulted them two points clear at the summit of the Premier League, further solidifying their status as title contenders.
Captain Son Heung-min, who’s been in superb form, notched his seventh goal of the Premier League season with a brilliant right-footed curler into the top corner in the 36th minute. This goal was particularly significant as it marked his 50th strike at Tottenham’s new stadium since its inauguration in 2019.
Tottenham’s second goal came early in the second half as James Maddison, the talented playmaker, netted his first goal at home for the club. Son turned provider, setting up Maddison for a cool and composed finish.
Under the stewardship of new manager Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham remains unbeaten in the league, accumulating 23 points, a two-point lead over reigning champions Manchester City and local rivals Arsenal. The upcoming fixture against Crystal Palace on Friday offers Spurs an opportunity to extend their lead to five points.
Fulham, on the other hand, delivered a lackluster performance despite a few late chances after Tottenham eased off. They currently sit in 13th place with 11 points.
This victory carried extra significance for Tottenham as Fulham had previously knocked them out of the League Cup on penalties, marking the only blemish in Postecoglou’s impressive tenure in north London.
Postecoglou, lured from Celtic with the mission of rejuvenating the club, has now achieved the best start by a new manager in the Premier League. However, despite the win, the Australian manager expressed his discontent with his team’s performance, emphasizing that the second half was subpar. He stated, “It was our worst 45 minutes with the ball.”
Tottenham’s front-foot playing style was evident throughout the match as they created numerous scoring opportunities. Son was denied by Fulham’s goalkeeper Bernd Leno early in the game. Defender Micky van de Ven volleyed a chance over the bar, and Richarlison side-footed wide following a sweeping move.
Fulham’s best opportunity in the first half came from Joao Palhinha, whose header was brilliantly saved by Guglielmo Vicario.
The breakthrough for Tottenham came when a poor pass by Calvin Bassey left Fulham’s defense exposed, allowing Richarlison to find Son, who executed a spectacular curling effort beyond Leno.
James Maddison continued to be the driving force behind Tottenham’s impressive play, as he has been throughout the season since his transfer from Leicester City in the summer. His splendid contributions were rewarded with a well-deserved goal. Son intercepted another errant pass from Bassey, passing the ball to Maddison, who calmly slotted home a silky finish past Leno.
With another match scheduled for Friday, Tottenham’s manager wisely substituted Maddison, Son, and Richarlison during the second half, but this led to a slight dip in focus. Fulham had opportunities to capitalize, but their inability to convert proved costly.
Fulham’s manager, Marco Silva, who has never tasted victory over Tottenham in the Premier League, acknowledged his team’s improved performance in the second half. He lamented that they couldn’t convert some late chances, notably one that fell to Harry Wilson, who delayed his shot too long.
