Tottenham Hotspur’s disappointing afternoon at Craven Cottage ended in a 2-0 defeat to Fulham, with manager Ange Postecoglou expressing frustration over the team’s performance—particularly singling out midfielder Yves Bissouma. The Spurs boss repeatedly described both of Fulham’s goals as “soft” and emphasized that he expects more from Bissouma, who was substituted at halftime following another underwhelming display.
The Mali international was replaced by youngster Lucas Bergvall shortly after a moment that epitomized his recent struggles—misplacing a simple pass out of play, much to the dismay of the visiting Spurs supporters. It was yet another disappointing outing for Bissouma, who has struggled to find form in recent weeks.
“I feel Biss sometimes lets the game drift by him—he needs to be more dominant,” Postecoglou remarked after the match. “Today, we needed more in that position. I wanted him to play because he hasn’t had many minutes lately, but at the same time, I need him to perform. It’s fair to say that maybe Biss and a few others are lacking confidence, but at this stage of the season, we need players who can step up.”
A Frustrating Day for Spurs
Heading into the match, Tottenham were hoping to bounce back before the international break, but their trip to Fulham turned into yet another frustrating chapter in their season. Postecoglou named a starting lineup featuring Vicario in goal, a back four of Spence, Romero, Davies, and Udogie, while the midfield trio consisted of Bentancur, Bissouma, and young prospect Jamie Donley. In attack, Johnson and Solanke flanked Mathys Tel, who was given a rare start.
The first half was largely uneventful, with both teams struggling to create clear-cut chances. Rodrigo Bentancur had Spurs’ first real opportunity when he headed wide from a corner, while Tel showed glimpses of quality down the wing, delivering a dangerous cross that went begging with no one in position to capitalize. It was the type of delivery that Brennan Johnson usually thrives on, but the Welshman failed to anticipate the ball.
As halftime approached, Fulham’s Timothy Castagne had a decent opportunity to break the deadlock, but Guglielmo Vicario denied him with a smart save. The first half ended goalless, and while Spurs had enjoyed more possession, their lack of cutting edge in the final third was evident.
Second-Half Collapse
Postecoglou wasted no time in making changes at the break, introducing club captain Son Heung-min and Bergvall in place of Johnson and the struggling Bissouma. The second half saw Tottenham try to increase their attacking intent, but for large periods, they remained toothless.
Bentancur continued to be the main source of attacking threat for Spurs, attempting a couple of long-range efforts early in the second half. In fact, by the 50-minute mark, the Uruguayan had been responsible for every single one of Tottenham’s shots in the game. Finally, after 53 minutes, someone else took a shot—Dominic Solanke heading wide from a promising position.
In an effort to change the momentum, Postecoglou made another switch midway through the half, bringing on James Maddison for Cristian Romero. The tactical reshuffle saw teenage midfielder Gray drop into defense, allowing Maddison to push forward. Almost immediately, the England international created a golden opportunity, delivering a pinpoint pass to Solanke, but the striker failed to convert. It was a moment that summed up Spurs’ afternoon—promising moments leading to nothing.
Spurs would be punished for their inefficiency in the 78th minute when Fulham finally made the breakthrough. Rodrigo Muniz found space inside the box and fired past Vicario to put the hosts ahead. Tottenham’s response was to introduce Wilson Odobert in place of Tel, but the changes did little to shift the tide of the game.
With time running out, Postecoglou threw on Dane Scarlett for Bentancur in search of a late equalizer. However, any hopes of a comeback were crushed in the 88th minute when former Spurs player Ryan Sessegnon—who had only just come off the bench—doubled Fulham’s lead with one of his first touches. It was the type of moment Spurs fans have seen far too often, adding to the growing frustration surrounding the club’s form.
A Season Spiraling Out of Control?
Tottenham’s recent struggles have made every Premier League fixture feel like a grind, and this latest defeat only reinforces that feeling. With each passing week, the hope of securing European football next season looks increasingly fragile. The upcoming international break offers a brief reprieve, but the thought of returning to domestic action in this kind of form is a daunting prospect.
If Spurs are eliminated from the Europa League as well, the season could spiral into something even more painful for supporters. For now, a break might be exactly what the club—and its fanbase—needs. But when Tottenham return, performances must improve, or their campaign could unravel even further.
