Premier League
Fulham 2 – 1 Tottenham Hotspur
Harry Wilson is Fulham’s top scorer with nine league goals this season [Getty Images]
Relegation-threatened Tottenham Hotspur’s miserable 2026 continues as their winless run in the league stretches to 10 games, while Fulham secured a well-deserved win to boost their hopes of qualifying for European football.
Fulham scored twice in the first six minutes of their 2-1 win over Tottenham in November, with Harry Wilson scoring early again in the seventh minute.
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However, the goal sparked controversy, with new Spurs boss Igor Tudor believing it should have been disallowed after home striker Raul Jimenez pushed down Radu Dragusin as he challenged Kenny Tate’s pass, before Oscar Bobb picked out Wilson to volley home from six yards.
Tottenham had a similar goal in their 4-1 defeat at Arsenal last week after Randal Kolo Muani fouled Gunners defender Gabriel, but Fulham’s goal was ruled to stand after a check by video assistant referee (VAR) Craig Pawson, leaving Tudor furious.
There were no excuses for Tottenham’s second goal in the 34th minute, though, with Alex Iwobi leaving space to fire a brilliant shot from 18 yards, which flew in from the inside of the post after a clever exchange with Wilson.
Calvin Bassey should have made it 3-0 but his close-range effort at the end of the first half was wasted, with Jimenez and Emile Smith Rowe also missing chances.
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In the 66th minute, Archie Gray made a pass from the left wing, and Richarlison, who came on as a substitute, scored with a header and Tottenham regained one.
Tottenham have lost two games since Tudor replaced the sacked Thomas Frank, conceding six goals in the process and last went on a ten-game winless streak in the league under Ossie Ardiles.
Spurs have been in English football’s top flight every season since a spell in the old Second Division in 1977-78 and are currently in 16th place, four points above the relegation zone with 10 games remaining.
Richarlison becomes the first Brazilian player to score 20 goals with a header in the Premier League [Getty Images]
Fulham analysis: Silva has his sights set on Europe
While Tottenham Hotspur face a relegation battle, Fulham are looking in another direction.
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This victory is the second time in their history that they have completed a league double over Tottenham Hotspur. The last time was in the 2003-04 season.
With coach Marco Silva yet to sign a new contract after this summer, Fulham are ninth in the Premier League table, separated only by goal difference from eighth-placed Everton.
Eighth might be a high enough position to earn a return to European football, which they have not competed in since the 2012-13 season.
Their home form could be key if they are to get there, as this was their eighth win in 14 games at Craven Cottage.
They were the better team in the first half, squandering chances to steal the game from Tottenham Hotspur, but Richarlison’s goal set up a frantic finish.
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Club captain Tom Cairney almost scored with his first touch after coming on as a substitute, but his shot went wide.
It was a tense game for the home fans, but their team did their best to hold on to the three points.
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