Despite a clear improvement in Spurs’ performance in the second half, city rivals Fulham ultimately deservedly prevailed in a penalty shootout and move into the 3rd round of the Carabao Cup.
Even before the game started, Spurs newcomer Manor Solomon was the focus of attention: The Israeli was still on loan to the Cottagers last season and also celebrated his starting eleven debut for the North Londoners. But he was not the only newcomer to the starting eleven. Coach Ange Postecoglou made nine changes. Only Richarlison and ex-Wolfsburg Micky van de Ven remained in the starting eleven compared to the Premier League win at Bournemouth.
Fulham in the game from the start
This great rotation was also immediately noticeable for Spurs, with the hosts taking the initiative from the start. The early as well as bold pressing of the Cottagers led to big problems: Rodrigo Muniz had the first chance of the game after Robinson had won the ball (7th) and goalkeeper Forster was surprised by Reed (12th).
In keeping with their poor first-half display, the two north London centre-backs then assisted in giving the hosts the lead. Davinson Sanchez was played dizzy by Tom Cairney and summer newcomer van de Ven deflected the ball into his own goal (19);
Anyone hoping for a comeback from the visitors was quickly disappointed. The defence continued to be a factor of uncertainty. Van de Ven did not clear a counterattack consistently and thus created the next chance for the hosts (32).
It took until the 38th minute for Spurs’ first shot on goal to enter the statistics. Postecoglou’s team had much more to thank Forster for preventing Rodrigo Muniz from going 2-0 up in first-half stoppage time (45.+1).
Tottenham come out of the break improved
While the second half started with only one change, the visitors improved and pushed for an equaliser. First Richarlison (53rd) and Höjbjerg (55th) missed it, but Richarlison equalised early in the second half after Perisic’s cross (56th). Bitterly for Fulham: Kenny Tetes’ shoe broke in the run-up to Höjbjerg’s chance, so that the Cottagers were shorthanded when they conceded the goal.
In the following, an open game developed with chances on both sides: De Cordova-Reid (69th) and Wilson (74th) missed for the Cottagers, for Spurs, who by now had captain Son on the field, Solomon and Scarlett (81st).
Spurs miss out on first title of the season as early as August
After Wilson (90th) and substitute Jimenez (90.+5) could not overcome Spurs goalkeeper Forster, as usual until the quarter-finals in the Carabao Cup, not extra time but the penalty shoot-out had to decide after 90 minutes.
In this shootout, the first five players did not show any nerves, only Sanchez failed as the sixth shooter against Fulham goalkeeper Marek Rodak. Maddison was able to convert for Spurs, but after Palhinha and Tete managed the same feat, Spurs already lost the first cup of the new season in August.
For them, Premier League action continues on Saturday (4pm) with an away game at Burnley. At the same time, Fulham are challenged by champions Man City.