Fulham delivered a significant blow to Tottenham Hotspur’s faltering Premier League campaign with a 2-0 victory at Craven Cottage on Sunday afternoon. Late goals from Rodrigo Muniz and Ryan Sessegnon sealed the win for the Cottagers, who strengthened their push for a European spot while deepening Spurs’ woes in a season marked by inconsistency.
The match remained a tightly contested affair for much of the 90 minutes. Fulham frustrated Tottenham with a disciplined defensive display, limiting the visitors’ attacking opportunities despite Spurs enjoying the lion’s share of possession. The game appeared destined for a goalless draw until the final 15 minutes, when Fulham’s substitutes turned the tide.
Rodrigo Muniz, introduced as a second-half substitute, broke the deadlock in the 78th minute. The Brazilian striker latched onto a precise pass from Andreas Pereira and slotted a pinpoint finish past Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario. The goal sparked wild celebrations among the home faithful, who sensed a rare consecutive home league win against Spurs for the first time in nearly two decades.
Ten minutes later, former Tottenham player Ryan Sessegnon put the result beyond doubt. The substitute shrugged off a challenge from Ben Davies in the box before curling a stunning right-footed effort into the top corner. The goal not only sealed the victory but also served as a personal triumph for Sessegnon against his former club, adding an extra layer of satisfaction for Fulham supporters.
Tottenham, managed by Ange Postecoglou, struggled to impose their usual attacking flair. Despite controlling possession, Spurs lacked a cutting edge, with their expected goals (xG) tally of 0.98 reflecting their inability to create clear-cut chances. Postecoglou made several changes to the lineup that defeated AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League midweek, but the rotated squad failed to gel. Bayern Munich loanee Mathys Tel, making a rare start, came close to scoring in the first half but saw his effort thwarted by Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
The defeat marks Tottenham’s 15th loss of the Premier League season, leaving them languishing in 13th place with only goal difference separating them from the bottom half of the table. Postecoglou did not mince words in his post-match assessment, labeling his team’s league performance as “unacceptable” and pointing to the “soft” goals conceded as a recurring issue.
“We had control for large parts but didn’t make it count,” Postecoglou said. “The goals we gave away were soft, and in this league, you get punished for that. It’s been a tough season, and we need to find a way to turn this around.”
For Fulham, the victory was a testament to their growing resilience and tactical nous under Marco Silva, who celebrated his 200th Premier League match as a manager. The Cottagers moved up to 8th in the table with 45 points, just three points behind Manchester City in 5th—a position that could secure Champions League football next season depending on UEFA coefficient rankings. With nine games remaining, Fulham’s dreams of European qualification in 2025-26 are becoming increasingly tangible.
Silva praised his team’s patience and the impact of his substitutes. “We knew Tottenham would have a lot of the ball, but we stayed compact and waited for our moments,” he said. “The changes we made gave us the energy and quality to win the game. It’s a big result for us, and we need to keep pushing.”
Fulham’s defensive solidity was evident throughout, with centre-backs Joachim Andersen and Calvin Bassey standing firm against Tottenham’s sporadic attacks. Midfielders Sander Berge and Andreas Pereira provided the platform for the late surge, while Muniz and Sessegnon delivered the decisive blows.
The result adds to Tottenham’s woes in a season where their Europa League campaign appears to be their only realistic route to silverware or Champions League qualification. For Fulham, it’s a statement win that keeps their European ambitions alive, marking their second consecutive home league victory over Spurs—a feat last achieved in the 2004-05 and 2005-06 seasons under Chris Coleman.