Tottenham’s worries about relegation intensified after a 2-1 defeat at Craven Cottage, a loss that matched their longest winless run in the Premier League. Fulham’s Harry Wilson and Alex Iwobi scored in the first half to put the hosts in control, and although Spurs’ substitute Richarlison reduced the deficit, Tottenham have now gone 10 league games without a victory.
The result leaves Spurs 16th in the table — four points clear of the drop with 10 matches to go — and prolongs a miserable start to 2026 that has seen them beaten in four straight league fixtures. New head coach Igor Tudor also suffered a troubling milestone, becoming only the second Tottenham manager to lose his first two matches in charge.
Fulham, meanwhile, continue to flourish under Marco Silva. Back-to-back wins have the Cottagers up to ninth and in contention for a European spot. Fulham created plenty and arguably should have extended their lead: Emile Smith Rowe squandered two gilt-edged chances early in the second half, but the hosts held on despite a tense finale after Richarlison’s 66th-minute header.
Tudor started Tottenham in a 4-4-2 shape, but Fulham struck early. Wilson opened the scoring in the 7th minute after a build-up that saw Spurs argue Radu Dragusin had been pushed by Raúl Jiménez; VAR reviewed the incident and decided the contact did not meet the threshold for a foul. Spurs’ first half was especially poor — they managed no shots on target — and it got worse when Iwobi curled a long-range effort in off the post for a superb 34th-minute goal.
Tottenham’s second-half introduction of Mathys Tel and Richarlison improved their attacking threat. Tel delivered the cross from which Archie Gray’s pass led to Richarlison heading in to give Spurs hope, but the comeback stalled and Fulham saw out the win. The defeat means Spurs have only two victories from their last 19 Premier League outings.
Player of the Match: Alex Iwobi
Selected player ratings (highlights)
– Fulham: Iwobi (8), Tete (7), Diop (7), Bassey (7), Wilson (7); Leno (6). Subs: Chukwueze (7), Cairney (6).
– Tottenham: Porro (6), Van de Ven (6), Dragusin (6); Vicario (5), Gallagher (5), Bissouma (5). Subs: Tel (7), Richarlison (7).
Team news
– Tottenham made two changes from the loss to Arsenal: Pedro Porro returned from a hamstring problem to start, and Dominic Solanke came into the XI. Djed Spence was absent and Pape Sarr was named on the bench.
– Fulham also made two alterations after their Sunderland win: Issa Diop replaced Joachim Andersen, and Oscar Bobb was handed his first Premier League start in place of the injured Kevin.
Igor Tudor on the defeat: “It’s a complicated situation. A lot of problems. We need to find forces inside each of us… We lack the quality to score the goal. We are lacking in the middle to run. We are lacking behind to stay there and suffer and not concede the goal. Football is a sport of running and duels. I have a sensation that Fulham players always arrived before. Even with the brain, they arrived before us. They predict – we are always late.”
Marco Silva on Fulham’s display: “The three points we deserve. In terms of the score, it should be different, with the amount of chances we created… In the second half we had clear chances to score the third goal and kill the game completely. But great performance from us. We controlled the game, created chances and the dynamic in our offensive organisation was top. We are very pleased with the performance and the three points.”