Tottenham’s dream start to the campaign continued as Ange Postecoglou’s side returned to the top of the Premier League table with a 2-0 win over Fulham.
Heung-min Son’s seventh goal of the season gave the hosts a first-half lead and after the break James Maddison added a second with his first goal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Playing just their third home game of the term, Spurs almost took the lead with barely two minutes on the clock when Son was played through by Maddison only for the South Korea international’s shot to be repelled by Bernd Leno.
Fulham had to absorb a lot of pressure but came close to taking a surprise lead when Joao Palhinha’s bullet header was kept out by a fully stretched Guglielmo Vicario.
The hosts kept knocking on the door, however, and after Richarlison went agonisingly close, Son found the breakthrough with a beautiful shot into the top corner from just inside the box.
The Cottagers made a bright start to the second half but found themselves two goals behind when Son turned provider as Maddison finished coolly – a goal not dissimilar from the first.
Maddison had an opportunity to make it worse for Fulham after robbing Calvin Bassey of the ball but Leno ensured the scoreline didn’t worsen for his side, while at the opposite end, substitute Raul Jimenez couldn’t find a way past Vicario.
Victory means unbeaten Tottenham lead the way in the Premier League with seven wins from their opening nine matches, two points above Manchester City and North London rivals Arsenal. Fulham, meanwhile, remain 13th.
Spurs will have the chance to go five points clear when they travel to Crystal Palace on Friday night, while Marco Silva’s side are at Brighton on Sunday.
TALKING POINT – SON AND MADDISON HAVE SPURS DREAMING
Last season the form of Son was a big worry for Spurs – the 31-year-old netted just 10 league goals in what was a pretty dismal campaign all around for Tottenham. But what a turnaround it has been under Postecoglou. Rather than crumble under the responsibility of being the team’s central striker in the absence of Harry Kane, Son is thriving and is already nearing his total tally of last season.
While he boasted almost a telepathic connection with England’s captain, he has struck up a fruitful relationship with Maddison and the two appear to be bringing out the best in each other.
It is early days indeed but under Postecoglou and his high-intensity style, Spurs look like a side reborn, and their fine start has their supporters dreaming of what might lie ahead.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH – JAMES MADDISON (TOTTENHAM)
The former Leicester man was central to everything positive Tottenham had to offer. His beautiful close control and pinpoint passing is a striker’s dream and Son is loving every moment of their partnership so far.
PLAYER RATINGS
Tottenham: Vicario 6, Udogie 6, Van de Ven 7, Romero 7, Porro 7, Hojbjerg 7, Sarr 6, Richarlison 6, Maddison 8*, Kulusevski 7, Son 8.. subs: Emerson 5, Skipp 5, Veliz N/A, Johnson N/A, Lo Celso N/A
Fulham: Leno 7, Castagne 6, Bassey 5, Ream 5, Robinson 6, Lukic 6, Palhinha 6, Pereira 5, De Cordova-Reid 5, Vinicius 6, Willian 7.. subs: Iwobi 5, Jimenez 5, Wilson 5, Cairney N/A.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
2’ – BIG SAVE TO DENY SON! Maddison slips through a lovely throughball to Son but Leno is off his line quickly to make himself big and block the shot! Play is then brought back as Maddison was fouled as he played the pass meaning Spurs have a free-kick in a threatening area.
12’ – SAVE AT FULL STRETCH! Out of nowhere, Fulham almost take a surprise lead! Palhinha meets a corner delivery and Vicario sees his bullet header late but somehow still keeps it out!
30’ – JUST WIDE! Richarlison almost gives Spurs the lead on the counter! Maddison sprays a delightful pass out to Kulusevski on the right flank. He cuts inside and tees up Richarlison whose first-time effort whistles past the post.
36’ – GOAL! TOTTENHAM 1-0 FULHAM (HEUNG-MIN SON): Fulham lose the ball in midfield and are instantly made to pay for it! Richarlison prods it to Son, who takes a couple of touches to set himself up for a shot and buries it in the top corner. A beautiful finish.
54’ – GOAL! TOTTENHAM 2-0 FULHAM (JAMES MADDISON): Son and Maddison combine to devastating effect! Maddison has his first goal in front of the home supporters at Tottenham. It’s a goal not dissimilar from the first as Fulham give the ball away cheaply and Hojbjerg making the interception. He plays it to Son, who plays through Maddison and he’s the coolest player on the pitch as he finds the bottom corner.
72’ – MADDISON ALMOST MAKES IT THREE! The Fulham defender takes a heavy touch and is robbed by Maddison, who just has the goalkeeper to beat! However, he can’t find a way past Leno.
