Sergio Reguilon and Tanguy Ndombele made a solid impression but Davinson Sanchez had a difficult game as Tottenham were held to a 1-1 draw by Fulham.
Tottenham started the game well as Sergio Reguilon missed narrowly in the early exchanges while Son Heung-min was denied twice by Fulham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola. However, Jose Mourinho’s men broke the deadlock in the 25th minute when Harry Kane headed Reguilon’s cross into the back of the net.
Fulham came out with more purpose after the break and while Son and Harry Winks went close for Tottenham, it was the visitors who found the back of the net in the second half as Ivan Cavaleiro rose the highest to head home Ademola Lookman’s cross to make it 1-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Both teams pressed in search of a winning goal with Fulham’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek being denied by Hugo Lloris while Reguilon had a goal chalked off late in the game as Son had played him in from an offside position as the contest ended with spoils shared.
Jose Mourinho’s men have now dropped 10 points from winning positions this season, with the 1-1 draw meaning that they failed to break into the top four. Here’s how we rated the performances of the Tottenham players on Wednesday night.
Hugo Lloris: 7/10
The Tottenham captain did not have a great deal to do in the first half, apart from pushing away an effort from Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa. Not tested much after the break either until Cavaleiro’s equaliser, which he could do very little about. Came out to stop Loftus-Cheek from scoring at 1-1.
Serge Aurier: 6.5/10
Got forward with great intent in the first half and delivered some dangerous crosses for Kane and Son to attack, but the forwards couldn’t convert. Much more reserved after the break and defended resolutely for the most part, but the cross for the equaliser came in from his flank. Played the most number of key passes on the night (4).
Davinson Sanchez: 5/10
Made an important block to Lookman’s effort, but was turned out too easily by the youngster in the lead-up to Fulham’s equaliser. Got dragged out of position way too easily and left Mourinho angry when he conceded a corner deep in stoppage time.
The more you see the Fulham goal the more you realise how shocking Sanchez is…if he never plays for this club again, it will be a very good thing!!!
— ZOMBIE YID (@JoshZombieYid) January 13, 2021
Eric Dier: 6/10
Back into the starting XI after being left out of the cup game, the England international picked up a knock to his knee early on, but ran it off and put in a fairly steady display. However, was outjumped by Cavaleiro to score Fulham’s equaliser in the second half.
Sergio Reguilon: 8/10
Tottenham’s best and brightest player on the pitch on Wednesday night, the former Real Madrid man defended solidly as he made four interceptions and clearances each. Was always an outlet going forward and made two key passes, although he did miss a fine chance early in the game.
Delivered some teasing crosses into the box, one of which set Kane up for the opening goal. Thought he had won it with his first goal for Tottenham late on, but the strike was ruled out for offside in the buildup.
Sergio Reguilón’s first half vs. Fulham by numbers:
100% tackles won
78% pass accuracy
2 ball recoveries
2 interceptions
1 big chance created
1 cross blocked
1 assistA quality delivery to give Spurs the lead. ? pic.twitter.com/yuwSfiBjDv
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) January 13, 2021
Harry Winks: 6/10
Starting amid speculations over his future at the club, Winks was solid if not spectacular on the night. Kept things ticking along nicely without standing out much. Tested Areola with a curling effort from outside the box in the second half. Made way for Erik Lamela after Fulham drew level.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg: 6/10
Cleaned up things well in the middle of the park and was involved in the buildup to Kane’s goal as he set Reguilon on his way with a fine cross-field pass out on to the left flank. Should have done better with a chance when he shot straight at the goalkeeper. Was dribbled past four times on the night.
Moussa Sissoko: 6/10
A bundle of energy on the right flank, the Frenchman ran up and down the wing, trying to help out at both ends of the pitch. However, lacked the necessary quality on the ball to make a difference in the final third. Did go on a fine run early in the second half but couldn’t sort out his feet in time to make something of it. Moved to midfield after Lamela’s introduction.
Tanguy Ndombele: 7.5/10
Tanguy Ndombele’s first half vs. Fulham by numbers:
88% pass accuracy
5 fouls suffered
4 ball recoveries
3 successful take-ons
2 tackles won
1 big chance createdProving his quality every week. ??? pic.twitter.com/lSnQqcHMGZ
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) January 13, 2021
Looked the most likely to make things happen in the final third, as he drove at the defenders or looked to thread a pass each time he got on the ball. Created a couple of fine chances for Son on either side of half-time and played some good passes onto the right side for Aurier to run into and cross into the box.
Made two key passes and completed five dribbles, while also chipping in with four tackles on the night. However, Ndombele’s influence waned in the second half as Tottenham dropped deeper and deeper.
Son Heung-min: 6/10
Got into dangerous positions constantly, but Tottenham Hotspur’s star forward lacked the clinical edge to find the back of the net on the night. Had a couple of shots saved by the brilliant Areola while he also hit the woodwork on one occasion in the second half. Played Reguilon in for a chance that the Spaniard converted, but Son had strayed slightly offside.
Harry Kane: 6.5/10
Great movement and a brilliant header to put Tottenham in front in the first period. Had a chance to double his tally soon after but headed over the bar. Not much impact in the attacking third apart from those two moments, however, as he dropped way too deep at times, especially in the second half, which negated his influence at the top. Put in the hard yards off the ball, as usual.
Harry Kane in the Premier League this season:
⚽️ 11 goals
?️ 11 assistsPerfectly balanced. ⚖️ pic.twitter.com/AKwkCqqujv
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 13, 2021
Substitutes
Erik Lamela: 6/10
Replaced Winks for the final fifteen minutes or so. Played a nice pass through to Son, who set Reguilon up for the goal, which had to be chalked off as the South Korean had strayed offside.
Carlos Vinicius: N/A
Coming on the back of a hat-trick performance against Marine, the Brazilian was given a ten-minute run out as he replaced Ndombele in the 80th minute. Couldn’t make much of a difference though.
You’re being generous with the marks for the two central defenders. Sanchez would have difficulty defending against a 12 yo and Dier is a positional nightmare who is incapable of passing from A to B. The midfield trio had absolutely no creativity and by removing Ndombele yet again when we are winning, we lose the only bright , inventive spark we had. Fulham were dead scared of him , and once he was gone , we struggled. For christ sake, drop Sanchez, Dier, Sissoko and Winks for good, they should only ever be bench players. Surely Alderweireld and Rodon should be first choice after this latest debacle and the likes of Dele, Bergwijn, Lucas, Bale, White, Clarke even Lamela cannot possible be as non productive as Winks or Sissoko. If we are understandably unable to bring in Sabitzer, Eriksen or a ‘proper’ centre back then we are going to be in big trouble playing these four !!
Very generous with the 3 in midfield. Thought they were terrible. Everything is slow take too many touches. The 3 of them should never start together. Especially against inferior opposition. Awful result I expected to see 3s and 4s to be honest.