Despite a spirited display Fulham’s Development Squad had to settle for a share of the points on Wednesday evening against London rivals Tottenham.
It was a second successive 1-1 draw for Billy McKinlay’s side, and a game the Whites could well have won having impressed with some bright, energising football.
However, it was the visitors who started the better with a few nervy moments for Whites ‘keeper Neil Etheridge, but for all their clever play Tottenham failed to threaten his goal with any real intent.
As Fulham settled Zoltan Gera and Leon Andreasen began to pull the strings, with the latter having the hosts’ first chance, drawing a fine low save from Ben Alnwick from a powerful free-kick.
Spurs’ main threat came from the quick feet of the talented John Bostock who moved the ball around nicely in the middle of the park, but whatever he did create captain and centre-back Chris Smalling seemed to be one step ahead.
With chances few and far between, Fulham could have taken the lead when Gera found space in the Tottenham box, but his header went wide of the post following some good play from Smalling and Seol.
The only other notable opportunity fell to the feet of Wayne Brown, but his heavy touch when through on goal saw the move break down. He did however set Matthew Briggs up for a cross from which Andreasen could well have found the target with a towering header.
The second half started as the first finished for Fulham, with Briggs and Seol both going close. Brown then teased an opening with a testing free-kick, but Toni Kallio’s flick failed to find a white shirt.
Substitute Lewis Smith also had a good chance to break the deadlock latching onto a brilliant pass from Kallio, but the young striker was denied by a brave block from Ben Alnwick.
Then on 72 minutes Fulham deservedly took the lead, with another one of the Club’s Academy scholars making the difference. This time Briggs was on hand with a nonchalant finish into the far corner, keeping his cool and pouncing on Andreasen’s blocked shot.
Within minutes Tottenham were on the attack though, and would have levelled if not for a fine sprawling save by Etheridge who did well to deny David Hutton when through on goal.
However, the Fulham goal seemingly kicked Spurs into life and with 12 minutes remaining, Jonathan Obika struck with a composed finish, having rounded Chris Baird.
The Whites threatened to add a second, with Seol and Smith stretching the Tottenham back four, and one ambitious effort from Brown. With that however the game drew to a close and the Whites can consider themselves unlucky not to have taken more.
McKinlay’s team are back in action next week for their third successive home fixture, entertaining West Bromwich Albion reserves at Motspur Park on Wednesday December 16th, kick-off 7pm.
Fulham: Etheridge; Stoor, Kallio, Baird, Smalling; Etuhu (Saunders 65), Gera (Smith 60), Andreasen (Anderson 80), Briggs, Brown; Seol. (Subs): Foderingham, Cumber.
Tottenham: Alnwick; Smith, Berchiche (Townsend 72), Mtandari, Dervite; Hutchins, Fraser-Allen (Maghoma 59), Hutton, Bostock (Kasim 81); Obika, Daniels. (Subs): Butler, Olsen.
