Player ratings: Fulham 3-0 Tottenham Hotspur

George Rossiter returns with the player ratings after a classic Craven Cottage performance.

Fulham pulled off a memorable and comprehensive victory against Tottenham, becoming the first side in the Premier League this season to keep a clean sheet against Ange Postecoglu’s side. That’s now wins over Tottenham, Manchester United and Arsenal in the last three months alone, as well as a well-fought League Cup semi-final showing. Marco Silva is working wonders in a season that could have ended in mediocrity.

Bernd Leno

In the week where Leno received a call-up to a much changed Germany squad under Julian Nagelsmann, the man between the sticks captained the club for the first time and kept a clean sheet against the side he used to class as a main rival in his Arsenal days.  Leno didn’t have much to do in the first half beyond holding onto a scuffed Brennan Johnson effort. However, from the moment Fulham led by 3, his contribution to the game was an important one, even if it may not get the recognition it deserves. He saved and held onto every Spurs shot on target, not allowing for them to find a way back into the game. 7.5/10.

Timothy Castagne

Actually thought his first half performance was a real weak aspect of an overall brilliant team showing. Looked really shaky on and off the ball, mistiming tackles and forward passes far too often. For most of the half it meant despite dominating, Brennan Johnson ended up being constant threat with the space he was afforded. Once he came out for the second half, there was a big change, especially with his attacking output. A good cross for Lukic’s goal was followed by a chance for the Belgian himself which forced a save from a narrow angle from Vicario. Ended up with an assist and clean sheet, can’t complain I guess. 7/10.

Tosin

Looked very composed on the ball throughout, an aspect of his game that continues to improve under Silva’s coaching. Continuing to build a partnership with Calvin Bassey and you struggle to see either being displaced from the side at the moment with the understanding that’s grown. Only potential criticism was the signs of slight hesitation in the first half that led to Spurs forwards not being closed down quickly enough on the edge of our box. Ultimately though, that was rectified throughout the game. Tosin went onto make four clearances, no other Fulham player made more than one. 7.5/10.

Calvin Bassey

Just an absolute monster at the back for Fulham week after week now, he’s made such a difference since coming back into the side after AFCON. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a centre back that defends so aggressively that they can push his side forward on and off the ball. We know he can take the ball forward 50 yards in an instant, but in this game he was pushing Son so far back that on one occasion the South Korean went from facing Bassey 20 yards from goal to playing a pass back to Vicario in his own half. Bassey was unlucky not to score too, but thankfully his close range effort landed at the feet of Muniz who finished off the scoring. 8/10.

Antonee Robinson

No defender has more assists from open play in the Premier League this season than Robinson does, his tally now up to six for the campaign. No player in this game had more interceptions than Jedi either, admittedly because he lost the ball to Kulusevski a few times in the opening stages and had to track back to redeem himself, but let’s not let facts get in the way of a good stat. The more the game went on, the more energy he showed and the more he looked incredible defensively. The American was vital going forward too, bombing into the Spurs box time after time and placing a gorgeous deep pass into Muniz’s pass for the opening goal. 9/10 – Man of the match.

Joao Palhinha

Most tackles in the game of any player…obviously. Not even sure that’s a statistic worthy of writing in articles anymore, it just comes as standard. Unfortunately, so does Joao being booked for his first foul in every game, but that’s something to be annoyed about another week. Another really strong showing from our main man in the middle, always more impressive against a midfield as able and dynamic as that of Tottenham’s. Unlucky not to get a goal of his own to make it 4-0, with a belting finish unfortunately flicking off Raul who was offside. 7.5/10.

Sasa Lukic

Just the latest name in the long list of players benefiting from the coaching and confidence that comes from Marco Silva and his coaching staff. Lukic has really come into his own in this Fulham midfield in recent weeks and it’s so pleasing to see. His smile after the full time whistle here gave the impression of a man who might finally feel at home on the banks of the Thames. A first Fulham goal will help add to those good vibes, a goal that was earned after being involved a lot in Fulham’s attacking build up play throughout. Really impressed with the amount of ground he covered alongside Palhinha too. 8/10.

Andreas Pereira

Really strong first half showing especially. Got into loads of really aggressive positions in Tottenham’s box, especially in the opening 10 minutes, which led to shooting opportunities falling his way fairly regularly in the opening stages. Ultimately those positions didn’t lead to a goal or an assist but it didn’t feel as underwhelming of an attacking display as other performances of his in recent months have. His pressing, especially on Radu Dragusin, caused lots of issues for the Tottenham backline. Praying that the knock he took in the second half is nothing serious and doesn’t effect his chances of playing for Brazil over the International break. 7/10.

Alex Iwobi

Continuously found plenty of space from drifting away from Destiny Udogie which caused Tottenham all sorts of issues down the right hand side. Made the most of Castagne’s improved attacking intensity in the second half by showing gorgeous footwork to beat his man and play Castagne through before the Belgian found an assist for Fulham’s second. One small critique may be that he offered very little defensive support to Timmy Chestnuts in the first half, but Spurs never scored as a result of it, so who cares? Not me. 7.5/10.

Willian

Started the game really wide and drifted in over and over, bringing Pedro Porro with him. By the time Antonee Robinson had assisted the opening goal, Porro was playing about ten yards further infield, leaving the overlap option available constantly, often thanks to Willian’s insane football intelligence. Also showed a huge willingness to help Robinson defensively too. There was a period in the first half where Tottenham found some momentum, and at times the Brazilian was almost making it a back five with how deep he was backtracking. 7.5/10.

Rodrigo Muniz

His footwork and his strength with his back to goal against any level of Premier League centre back continues to impress me on a weekly basis. Just like a certain Serbian was last year, he has become vital in our build up, but adds an added element of pace too. He’s constantly in the positions you would want your number nine to be in, something that can sometimes be a criticism of other striking options at the club. His first touch and finish for the opening goal was beyond perfect in its precision. His predatory poacher’s instinct to nip in ahead of the Tottenham defender for his second was another goal to add to his growing list of strikes where his anticipation is ten times better than that of his opposing defender’s. He is amazing and I love him more every time I see him play. Brazil call-up pending… 9/10.

Substitutes

Raul Jimenez

Subbed on for Rodrigo Muniz after 64 minutes

Looked really impressive for a player that’s been out for a period of time through injury. Bright on and off the ball, continuing Muniz’s work in holding and linking up play in the attacking third. 6.5/10.

Harry Wilson

Subbed on for Andreas Pereira after 72 minutes

Made some really nice runs in between some tiring legs in the Tottenham defence in the closing stages. Quite unlucky not to add his name to the scoresheet in the final minute of normal time, forcing a diving save from Vicario from the left side of the box. 6.5/10.

Harrison Reed, Kenny Tete and Bobby De Cordova-Reid (subbed on after 82 minutes for Sasa Lukic, Timothy Castagne and Alex Iwobi) came on too late to be fairly assessed.