Fulham vs Tottenham a few late thoughts
Dan Tracey
February 20, 2017
1,960 Views
- It was a return to winning ways yesterday for Tottenham as they eased into the F.A. Cup Quarter Finals
- After defeats to both Liverpool and Gent away from home in recent times, Fulham would have certainly fancied their chances of claiming another Premier League scalp in this competition
- But with Mauricio Pochettino naming a stronger side than many expected it meant that The Cottagers were going to have their work cut out if they themselves were to progress further
- And early on Tottenham were in the ascendancy as both Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen flashed shots just past the Fulham goal
- Kieran Trippier who replaced the rested Kyle Walker was given the freedom of the right hand side on countless occasions yesterday as he was a constant thorn in Fulham’s side
- And it was the former Burnley man who started the move for Tottenham’s opener
- His quick throw-in found Eriksen out wide and the Dane’s well measured cross reached an outstretched Harry Kane
- The Strikers instincts had seemingly returned as Spurs were in front after just 15 minutes
- That goal deflated Fulham’s early bright start but they were nearly gifted the perfect opportunity to level
- Michel Vorm’s misplaced kick out of the box found Tom Cairney
- And with the goal gaping, Cairney could thankfully only hit the ball straight back to an outstretched Vorm
- A lucky escape for Tottenham
- And one that saw them go into the break with their noses ahead
- But that said Fulham were still in the tie, although they were going to have to raise their performance to get a foothold in the game
- That foothold would have slipped away just 5 minutes after the break when Trippier’s inch perfect cross found Kane who once again was on hand to prod home
- Their was perhaps a suspicion of offside but it looked as if Tim Ream’s leg was playing Kane onside
- That meant the Assistant Referee’s flag stayed down and Spurs lead was doubled
- The attacking quartet of Kane, Alli, Eriksen and Heung-min Son were causing all kinds of problems and it looked as if Kane had wasted the opportunity with 20 minutes to go as he blasted over the bar
- With Thursday in mind he was being prepped to be subbed off
- But Kane still found enough time with 17 minutes to go to earn the matchball as he made it 3-0 for the away side and a job very well done
- With the hat-trick in the bag, he made way for Moussa Sissoko which in turn showed how far Vincent Janssen has fallen out of favour with Mauricio Pochettino
- The side looked much more stable with Jan Vertonghen at the back along side his national team mate Toby Alderweireld
- That’s not a slight on Eric Dier but it’s just that natural centre back pairing that makes all the difference
- Harry Winks played well and looks more and more assured with every start
- Kieran Trippier was excellent
- It’s just a shame the replacement Left Back is not quite at the same level
- If you play Trippier instead of Walker then we still get that joy out wide that we witnessed yesterday
- I thought the traveling fans were excellent plus the BBC mics seemed very loud
- A perfect result in time for Thursday when they travel to Wembley to face Gent in the Europa League
- Talking of Wembley they are just one game away as they now face Millwall in the Quarter Finals
- That will be the last ever cup game at White Hart Lane
- Then it’s just two “home” games between that and cup success
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