Notebook – Fulham vs Spurs

We head to Fulham this evening in the Premier League (kick-off 8pm UK).

Here’s all of the game’s key points of note…

1 - Dominant against Fulham

This is a fixture we usually take all the spoils from. Of our last 14 Premier League clashes with Fulham, we have won 12 of them. In that run, we have lost just once to the Whites with that defeat – a 1-0 loss at Craven Cottage - coming almost a decade ago in March, 2013. We have since enjoyed a run of eight unbeaten against them in all competitions and that includes victory over them last time out.

2 - Hojbjerg and Kane helps us edge Whites

Back in September, goals either side of half-time from Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Harry Kane saw us edge Fulham 2-1 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Having largely been frustrated by the dogged Cottagers in the opening exchanges, we eventually took the lead five minutes before the break in N17 as a neat one-two between Pierre and Richarlison opened up a sight of goal for the Dane, who instantly got the ball out of his feet before rolling it into the far corner of the net. The visitors – and their goal frame - continued to find ways to frustrate us in the second period, but we did find a way to assert our dominance on 75 minutes as Harry tapped in Ryan Sessegnon’s cross from close range to double our lead.

It was to be a nervy end in north London though as the men from the west got themselves back into the game with seven minutes remaining – Aleksandar Mitrovic curling home from inside the box. With the momentum, Fulham went in search of an equaliser, and they could have had it moments later had Hugo Lloris not produced an exceptional save to keep out a deflected Mitrovic strike.

In saying that, the momentum then switched again as we then had the ball in the back of the net down the other end shortly after following a lightning-quick counter attack. Sadly, Richarlison, who slid the ball home, was deemed to have been in an offside position in the build-up. However, in the end, that mattered little as we held out for the win and made it nine games unbeaten in the top flight.

Highlights: Spurs 2-1 Fulham | September, 2021

3 - At the Cottage

In terms of our away performances against Fulham, we have also enjoyed a rather strong showing. Of our last six visits to Craven Cottage, we have won each time. A win this evening would make it six league wins there on the bounce and that would equal a club record for consecutive away league wins against one club – we have won seven league fixtures in a row against Aston Villa at Villa Park in two separate spells (1950-1956 and 2012-present).

4 - Last time out at the Cottage

That run of wins includes our last trip to Fulham as, in March, 2021, we edged the Whites 1-0. Coming behind closed doors, an own goal from Tosin Adarabioyo on 19 minutes was enough to see us take all three points at Craven Cottage.

Highlights: Spurs 1-0 Fulham | March, 2021

5 - Monday night football

We also have a fondness for Premier League football on a Monday. Of our last 14 top flight games on a Monday night, we have come out on top in 10 of them (drawn three, lost one). We haven't lost such a game since falling 1-0 to Manchester City at Wembley Stadium in October, 2018.

6 - Fulham flying

Despite our impressive record in this fixture, it must be noted that the Fulham side we are facing tonight are much different to that which we have faced in recent years. They might be relative newcomers to the Premier League having won promotion from the EFL Championship last season, but they are certainly making their mark on the top flight this term.

As we move into the second half of the campaign, the Cottagers currently sit seventh in the league with 31 points from 20 games and come into this game having won five of their last six games in all competitions, including a 2-1 win over Chelsea in their last home match.

7 - Resilient at the Cottage

Their fine form this season in the Premier League is largely due to strong displays at Craven Cottage. Having played 10 matches at home thus far, Fulham have lost just twice, winning five and drawing three. They have won each of their last two games there and could make it three on the bounce with a victory tonight, something they haven’t managed in the top flight in over a decade.

8 - Always scoring

Fulham have also proven a side difficult to stop in front of goal. In just three of their 20 league games to date have the Whites been denied getting on the scoresheet – those came in 0-0 draws with Wolves and Everton before they fell to Newcastle 1-0 last time out.

A large part of their potency this season has been the efforts of Aleksandar Mitrovic. The Serbia international is enjoying one of his best ever seasons in the top flight with 11 goals in just 15 appearances. In six appearances against us to date in the league, he has been involved in as many goals against us (scored four, assisted two), however he is yet to contribute to any goals against us on our visits to Craven Cottage.