While although the clash between Tottenham and Fulham was rearranged at short notice, in the end the visitors will not have too many complaints and after picking up a fifth successive league draw, the Cottagers have continued their recent positive momentum.
Of course, when it comes to momentum, that is something that is in short supply for Tottenham at present and after dropping further points in the race for this season’s Premier League title, Jose Mourinho’s men have now only won once in their last six outings.
A run of form that suggests, every time Spurs are presented with a genuine opportunity to thrust themselves back into the title race, they subsequently fail to make best use of it and after being held at home on Wednesday night, questions will be asked about their collective mental aptitude.
Not only that, but questions will also be asked about a rather defensive setup by Tottenham and on the evidence of their showing against Fulham, you would think that the hosts were playing away from home.
The visitors were far quicker out of the blocks and although their early attacking endeavour failed to breach the net of Hugo Lloris in the Tottenham goal, they certainly showed that they had the ability to bloody their opposition’s nose.
With that said, the hosts did take that early flurry of Fulham attack, as a call to arms themselves and Alphonse Areola was called into action on several occasions to keep the hosts at bay. None more so, than an acrobatic save from the outstretched leg of Heung min-Son.
Whereas Son would be denied, Tottenham’s talisman certainly would not and after an inch-perfect cross from defender Sergio Regullion, Harry Kane’s diving header was just as neatly positioned, as his effort slammed past Areola to open the deadlock.
However, Tottenham failed to then go up through the gears and when you consider previous games in which they have dropped points, this is now becoming an obvious source of frustration for those who are watching at home.
Frustration that could have been eased, had Son’s second half effort trickled the other side of the post, as when the South Korean international burst through on goal with his usual electric pace, many believed that it was to be game over and Tottenham’s advantage would be doubled.
Fortunately, or unfortunately (depending on who you support) his effort eventually bounced away to safety and it was perhaps this moment that gave Fulham some late impetus, impetus that gave them their just desserts late on.
If Regullion’s cross was inch-perfect, then Ademola Lookman’s was incredible, as the former Everton midfielder looped in a teasing ball and on hand to meet it with the power necessary to head home, was Ivan Cavaleiro.
A game made of two headers and this one meant that the scores were now level at 1-1 – a result that under the current COVID-19 circumstances, Fulham manager Scott Parker would have been delighted with. Then again, he and his players were inches away from going home with none.
That’s because after making the opening goal of the game, Sergio Regullion thought he had scored the winner. However, after the Spainard poked home, a quick raise of the offside flag suggested otherwise and therefore, the former Sevilla player’s celebrations were short-lived.
This would prove to be the final flashpoint of the game and with Tottenham ending the evening lying sixth in the table, it is time for this talented squad to do some more soul-searching. While for Fulham, a fifth successive draw suggests that they are becoming a rather tough nut to crack.
