Rodrigo Muniz and Fulham run rings around Tottenham

In recent weeks, Ange Postecoglou has been unwilling to engage with the idea that Tottenham Hotspur are simply in a battle for Champions League places. Instead, he has dreamed a little bigger. “I don’t see the sense in trying to aim for something other than No 1,” he said earlier this month. “What’s the point?”

Spurs fans, no doubt, will understand the argument. But there is a problem here, which is that the thought of Spurs being in the title race is no longer based on footballing reality. It may not be a truth that Postecoglou wishes to confront, but it is the truth nonetheless that his players are indeed locked in a tussle for the Champions League places, rather than anything more.

On that front, with Aston Villa and Manchester United watching closely, this was a deeply damaging night. Spurs were not just beaten by Fulham, but thumped. Three goals in less than 20 minutes brought a much-deserved victory for Marco Silva’s aggressive, dominant and imaginative side.

Fulham are a formidable opponent at Craven Cottage, where they have won four of their six matches against teams in the top half of the table. They were on the front foot from the opening whistle here and, in Rodrigo Muniz, they have a striker who is unlocking new levels in his game each week.

Muniz has been a Fulham player since August 2021 but, until these last few weeks, he has never looked capable of leading the line for this club. Last season he went on loan to Middlesbrough in the Championship and scored just two goals.

The careers of strikers can change in an instant, though, and Muniz is suddenly an entirely different threat. In his past seven games, he has scored seven times. His two here were completely different finishes, and his tireless running was one of many, many issues for Spurs on the night.

The remarkable form of Muniz has not been good news for Armando Broja, who joined Fulham on loan from Chelsea in January but has barely featured since. Broja was not even in the squad here, with Silva saying his absence was a “technical decision”.

An indication of Broja’s impact, or lack of it, is that the deal is thought to include a clause which requires Fulham to pay around £4 million if he does not play 60 per cent of their matches. This clause will now be triggered. In other words, Fulham have effectively chosen to pay £4 million to not use him.

Clearly, this is not a move that has gone to plan, although Fulham will rightly argue that Muniz has earned the right to spearhead Silva’s attack. The 22-year-old caused all sorts of problems for the Spurs defence, where new signing Radu Dragusin was making his first start since his £25 million switch from Genoa in January.

Dragusin was in the team because of an injury to Micky van de Ven and there were more than a few moments when he looked rusty. Before this evening, he had played just 49 minutes of Premier League football. When Muniz ran into the space behind him before converting Antonee Robinson’s cross, that lack of action showed.

It was a lead that Fulham deserved, in part because of Muniz’s workrate in attack and also because of the threat they posed on the wings. Alex Iwobi, Willian, Robinson and Timothy Castagne all stretched the Spurs defence, firing crosses into the box and ensuring that Guglielmo Vicario, the visiting goalkeeper, remained busy.

The pattern continued after the break, as Fulham continually found space behind the Spurs full-backs. Within a few minutes of the restart, Castagne’s fizzed cross was diverted into the net by Lukic. On first viewing the finish, off Lukic’s thigh, looked a little lucky for the Fulham midfielder. The more you watched it, though, the more impressive it became.

With Spurs lacking control in midfield, two soon became three as Calvin Bassey’s shot hit the post and trickled across the six-yard box. Muniz, so sharp, got there first.

For Spurs there were chances created, but none converted. Brennan Johnson and Timo Werner both fired off target from close range as this rapidly became a night to forget for Postecoglou.

Last week, Spurs won 4-0 at Aston Villa. This week, they were thrashed by Fulham. Such swings in form are not the work of a team of title-winning ambition, and any more of them could also cost Spurs a place in the Champions League next season.

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Fulham beat Tottenham, as it happened, below

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08:34 PM GMT

Marco Silva all smiles

Marco Silva claims his sides first half showing against Tottenham was their ‘best of season so far’. The Portuguese manager also had high praise for goalscorer Rodrigo Muniz, saying ‘there’s much more to come from him’.

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08:28 PM GMT

Better than R9? Looks like Fulham think pretty highly of their Brazilian striker

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08:20 PM GMT

An emotional Heung-Min Son reacts

Clearly emotional after a disappointing loss, Spurs captain Heung-Min Son says his team have taken ‘two steps backward’ after such a positive result last week against Villa.

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08:07 PM GMT

Ange speaks post-game

Ange Postecoglou doesn’t believe the shock 3-0 defeat to Fulham has dented their top four ambitions

“Disappointing obviously. Once they got the second goal we couldn’t really get a grip on the game and it got away from us.

“We were a little bit careless with the ball, sloppy passing, lacked conviction going forward.

“We didn’t have the expected level of intensity in our play especially in the second half.

Ange joked “It’s all over, we’ll just go for sixth” when asked if the defeat was a serious check on their momentum.

“There’s ten games left. plenty of football to play.

“If we get top four great, but its more about how we play”

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08:00 PM GMT

Redknapp roasts lacklustre Spurs

Former Tottenham midfielder Jamie Redknapp on Sky: “I am looking for excuses, ok Micky Van de Ven was missing, but they’ve been without him before. There was a lethargy about their play today. I thought these types of performances were a thing of the past. I can’t fathom what I’ve seen in terms of their energy.

“After the way they played against Villa I thought they’d be firing. There was almost an arrogance, like we will turn up and win comfortably. That was so uncharacteristic of what we’ve seen this season.”

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07:49 PM GMT

Palhinha talks to Sky Sports after the game

Palhinha tells Sky it’s one of their best displays of the season: “It’s an amazing night.”

On Muniz he says: “He is a striker with a great future. Not just with goals but what he offers generally. Fantastic to see him scoring a lot of goals.”

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07:40 PM GMT

…But setback for Spurs

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07:39 PM GMT

A big win for Fulham

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07:35 PM GMT

FULL-TIME: Fulham 3 Tottenham 0

A handsome win for Marco Silva’s side, his first against Spurs and Fulham’s first at home to Spurs in 16 years. The Fulham fans chant to ‘I Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You’ in the stands. This is the first time Spurs have failed to score in the Premier League this season. It’s a blow to the solar plexus for Ange Postecoglou and Tottenham who were well off it today. It has made the race for Champions League places very interesting indeed.

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07:23 PM GMT

90+2 mins: Fulham 3 Tottenham 0

Seven added minutes. Fulham just seeing it out now. Muniz unsurprisingly gets Sky Sports player of the match. Quick, direct, powerful and brave, the young Brazilian is sure to attract quite a few covetous glances if he continues this goalscoring form. The 22 year old has now scored seven goals in his last seven appearances in the Premier League. The most of any player in the competition since the start of February.

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07:20 PM GMT

89 mins: Fulham 3 Tottenham 0

Richarlison has had two huge chances in the past five minutes. It’s not as if Spurs haven’t had them today, they’ve been well off the boil. Harry Wilson has a half chance down the other end after a lovely through ball from Jimenez but Vicario, outstretched, keeps it out.

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07:17 PM GMT

86 mins: Fulham 3 Tottenham 0

It isn’t just Fulham fans who are enjoying this treat by the Thames. Suddenly Man Utd will be energised by the fact that they are still only six points behind Spurs in the chase for fifth in what could be a Champions League space come the end of the season. In April the north Londoners face Newcastle (a), Man City (h), Arsenal (h) and Liverpool (a) in successive games!

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07:13 PM GMT

83 mins: Fulham 3 Tottenham 0

Richarlison weaves his way past a couple of players in the box but his effort is blocked. The linesman puts the flag up for offside anyway.

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07:06 PM GMT

77 mins: Fulham 3 Tottenham 0

The dust has settled now at Craven Cottage. The fight seems to have left Spurs. Fulham looking comfortable. Not many chances to speak of since that Werner miss. Son and Palhinha clash again. Brennan Johnson booked for dissent then subbed for Richarlison. Fulham preparing triple substitution.

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07:02 PM GMT

Muniz at the double

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07:00 PM GMT

71 mins: Fulham 3 Tottenham 0

Andreas Pereira, who has been moving rather gingerly since that knock, is subbed off for Harry Wilson.

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06:58 PM GMT

67 mins: Fulham 3 Tottenham 0

Timo Werner with one of the misses of the season! It’s all going wrong for Spurs here who have looked more threatening since the third goal. But is it too little too late now?

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06:56 PM GMT

64 mins: Fulham 3 Tottenham 0

What is going on here? Could have been a fourth for Fulham but Palhinha’s strike is ruled out with substitute Raul Jimenez blocking Vicario’s eyeline.

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06:53 PM GMT

GOAL! 61 mins: Fulham 3 (Muniz) Tottenham 0

And another! They’ve been by far the better team in this second half and now they have three goals to show for it. Bassey’s close range effort hits the post but, with a bit of luck, bounces out to the brilliant Brazilian Muniz who slots home for his second. A real poacher’s goal. This is threatening to unravel for Spurs.

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06:44 PM GMT

Lukic the Londoner

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06:43 PM GMT

53 mins: Fulham 2 Tottenham 0

Andreas Pereira goes down injured after clashing with Destiny Udogie. He will be assessed but he looks in some pain.

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06:39 PM GMT

GOAL! 49 mins: Fulham 2 (Lukic) Tottenham 0

“Taken like a top striker” according to Alan Smith. Sasa Lukic scores his first goal for Fulham and doubles their lead! Cross from Castagne is met by the big Serb’s knee and it flies past Vicario to increase the deficit.

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06:35 PM GMT

46 mins: Fulham 1 Tottenham 0

Second half under way and Fulham are out of the blocks fast. Pereira in space down the right hand side plays a ball across the box but Vicario is on his toes and gets his hands to it

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06:32 PM GMT

And here’s the goal

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06:20 PM GMT

HALF-TIME: Fulham 1 Tottenham 0

It looked for all the world there like Spurs were moments away from scoring but Fulham held strong and find themselves ahead at the break. The goal has checked Spurs momentum and leaves Postecoglou with plenty to think about. When scoring first this season Fulham have won nine and drawn their other two home games. Sign of things to come?

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06:14 PM GMT

GOAL! 42 mins: Fulham 1 (Muniz) Tottenham 0

Antonee Robinson’s beautiful cross finds Muniz who manages to stay on side and slot the ball past Vicario in the Spurs net. Perfect way to end the half for the hosts!

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06:11 PM GMT

39 mins: Fulham 0 Tottenham 0

Son and Palhinha clash knees in the middle of the park. Both on their feet soon after. Kulusevski cuts in on his favoured left from just outside the area but it is blocked by Bassey. Fulham looking slightly more settled again.

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06:08 PM GMT

More on Broja

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06:03 PM GMT

30 mins: Fulham 0 Tottenham 0

Udogie plays it to Maddison on the edge of the D but his effort slips agonisingly wide. Spurs smell blood. They have had 67 per cent of the possession in the last 10 mins.

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06:02 PM GMT

28 mins: Fulham 0 Tottenham 0

Feeling that there’s an opener on the way here. Dragusin pulls it back across the six-yard box but nobody there to take advantage for Spurs. Visiting fans make their voices heard for first time.

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05:59 PM GMT

27 mins: Fulham 0 Tottenham 0

Spurs growing into the game now, finding gaps in the Fulham midfield and defence. Found in space out wide left, Brennan Johnson tries a first time effort but hits it straight at Leno.

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05:57 PM GMT

24 mins: Fulham 0 Tottenham 0

From one end to the other. Fulham chance goes a begging when Willain’s ball across the area is nearly flicked in by Muniz. Looks like Udogie may have gotten a touch to keep it from the Brazialian striker. Then, moments later, Son has an equally gilt edged chance dowmn the other end. With time and space in the box he curls it high and wide.

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05:54 PM GMT

23 mins: Fulham 0 Tottenham 0

Alan Smith: “Fulham’s passing has been so much sharper and more accurate than Spurs in this first half”

A beautiful first time pass by Lukic on the  to Muniz nearly leads to a counter attack but Dragusin intercepts.

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05:48 PM GMT

16 mins: Fulham 0 Tottenham 0

A few stray passes indicating Spurs haven’t found their mojo quite yet. Early doors though.

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05:44 PM GMT

11 mins: Fulham 0 Tottenham 0

Lukic wins a 50-50 and plays it out to Iwobi whose cross is palmed away by Vicario but only as far as Pereira whose close-range attempt is blocked (again). Seconds later the ball reaches Lukic who has space in the area but Vicario does his job once more, getting down low to deny the Serbian. Bright start by the hosts!

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05:36 PM GMT

4 mins: Fulham 0 Tottenham 0

Pereira with another chance. Alex Iwobi’s beautifully weighted through ball finds Pereira free in the box but the Brazilian balloons it over the bar. In fact, the attempt was so poor the ball doesn’t even go out of play!

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05:34 PM GMT

2 mins: Fulham 0 Tottenham 0

First big chance goes the way of Fulham. Rodrigo Muniz’s attempt is blocked by Romero but comes out to Andreas Pereira whose shot from outside the area is deflected just wide of the post by debutant Dragusin

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05:30 PM GMT

Kick-off. Here we go! Fulham 0 Tottenham 0

The teams get under way

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05:22 PM GMT

Marco Silva explains decision to leave Armando Broja out of matchday squad

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05:20 PM GMT

Jamie Redknapp on Rodrigo Muniz

“I can’t put my finger on how or why he has been so good because his stats don’t show it. But,  he has been a revelation”

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04:57 PM GMT

Dragusin makes first start for Spurs

The absence of Micky Van De Ven has made way for new signing Radu Dragusin to make his first start for Tottenham

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04:54 PM GMT

Palhinha and Willian return to Fulham starting XI

Whatever chance Fulham have of beating Spurs today will certainly be improved by the inclusion of their Portuguese midfield maestro and tricky Brazilian winger – who has had his fair share of experience when it comes to London derbies.

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04:47 PM GMT

Here are the matchday squads

Fulham: Leno, Castagne, Tosin, Bassey, Robinson, Palhinha, Lukic, Iwobi, Pereira, Willian, Muniz. Subs: Rodak, Tete, Ream, Reed, Cairney, Wilson, Traore, De Cordova-Reid, Jimenez.

Tottenham: Vicario, Porro, Romero, Dragusin, Udogie, Sarr, Bissouma, Maddison, Kulusevski, Son, Johnson. Subs: Austin, Royal, Davies, Hojbjerg, Skipp, Bentancur, Lo Celso, Werner, Richarlison.

Referee: Robert Jones

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04:32 PM GMT

Tottenham team just in

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04:31 PM GMT

Fulham team has just been released

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04:26 PM GMT

Remember this Fulham fans? A late Carlos Bocanegra header to beat Spurs in 2006

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04:20 PM GMT

For anyone travelling to Craven Cottage today…

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04:16 PM GMT

It’s west versus north in the Saturday evening London Derby!

Good evening all and welcome to another live Premier League blog brought to you by the Telegraph. Today, west London clashes with the north as Fulham take on an in form Spurs side at Craven Cottage.

A win today for Tottenham will move them a point ahead of Aston Villa into fourth place. Meanwhile Fulham, who sit in 12th, can move one step closer to their London rivals Chelsea with a win.

Marco Silva admitted mid-week that it is unlikely his side will make the European places with so much competition but that won’t stop them from giving it a right go.

In terms of the fixture at hand, Fulham fans look away now. They have lost 14 of their past 16 Premier League games against Spurs and are winless in nine top-flight meetings since a 1-0 victory at White Hart Lane in 2013.

As for Marco Silva, it doesn’t look a a whole lot better. Having drawn three and lost five, the Portuguese is winless as a manager against Spurs. Can today be the day where he finally breaks the blush-inducing duck?

Fulham, however, can take some optimism from the fact that they are on track for three top-flight home wins on the trot in London derbies for the first time in their history after they beat both Arsenal and West Ham at Craven Cottage in December.

Fulham’s record against teams in the top half this season has also been quite impressive. They have won three out of five Premier League home games against teams currently sitting in the top half of the table. Not a bad return!

There will be an air of confidence for Spurs going into the fixture having dispatched of their biggest top four rivals Aston Villa with relative ease last week in a 4-0 trashing.

They are aiming for back-to-back away wins in the league for the first time since October. Additionally, a win would mean eight consecutive league victories away for the first time in their history!

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