A valiant Fulham team was narrowly edged out 1-0 by Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday evening.
A Tosin own goal gave the visitors an early lead in the 19th minute, and courtesy of a contentious VAR decision the visitors were able to hold on for the three points.
Scott Parker made three changes from the side that was unfortunate to only come away from Selhurst Park with a point. Mario Lemina slotted back into the centre of midfield alongside Harrison Reed, with André-Frank Zambo Anguissa making way. Antonee Robinson and Ivan Cavaleiro also returned to take their place in the starting XI, having both been brought on as second half substitutes on Sunday.
It was a confident start from both sides, with Fulham looking dangerous going forward in the opening 10 minutes, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Lemina both having efforts on goal. We would have to be alert at the other end with Spurs leaving a potent attacking four committed up field at all times.
In the 17th minute a warning shot was fired with Heung-Min Son picking out Harry Kane unmarked in the box with the outside of his foot. The England striker headed tamely on target. A big let-off given the time and space he had to trouble the goal.
However, two minutes later they were in front. A clinical counter-attack culminated in another perfect cross from Son which Alli flicked home via a deflection off the feet of Tosin.
The encounter settled down somewhat after the goal but Tottenham still looked dangerous when launching quick counter-attacks from just inside our half as we looked to commit forward.
The slender lead remained and in the final seconds of the first half Lemina had a gilt-edge chance to pull us level. Exceptional work down the left wing from Robinson opened up some space. After powering past two men the American full-back crossed into the feet of Maja who had his back to goal. With Tottenham defenders swarming the striker laid it off into the path of the midfielder who side-footed over the bar. A massive chance spurned.
Similar to the first half, we carved out some openings in the first part of the second period, Joachim Andersen powering a header on target from a Cavaleiro cross which Hugo Lloris did well to tip over the bar. From the resulting corner Tosin headed straight at the French number one from the centre of the box.
In the 61st minute we were knocking on the door once again. A flowing move forward started by Maja was worked to Loftus-Cheek on the edge of the box who curled wide.
Moments later we thought we were back level. A scrappy clearance from Davinson Sanchez deflected off Lemina and fell kindly to Maja. Without hesitation the young striker flashed a left-footed effort into the bottom corner. A deserved leveller after a composed start to the second 45. After some deliberation, though, it was confirmed that the ball was handled in the build-up despite the arm of Lemina being by his side. A gut punch.
A flurry of changes saw the complexion of the game change. Aleksandar Mitrović, Joe Bryan and Anguissa were all thrust on as we continued to press. A battling Fulham started throwing everything forward in attack.
A display littered by commitment and endeavour, we were unfortunate to come out of the match with nothing after the referee blew the full-time whistle.
Fulham: Areola, Aina, Andersen, Tosin, Robinson (Bryan 75’), Reed, Lemina, Cavaleiro (Mitrović 71’), Maja, Loftus-Cheek (Anguissa 64’)
Tottenham: Lloris, Doherty, Alderwiereld, Sanchez, Davies, Hojbjerg, Ndombele (Lemina 75'), Bale (Moura 67'), Alli (Sissoko 67'), Son, Kane
