Fulham strengthened their bid for a European place by beating Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 at home for a second consecutive season – the first time they have achieved that in 19 years.
Rodrigo Muniz and Ryan Sessegnon scored in the closing 15 minutes to breathe life into what had been a largely drab Premier League London derby.
Fulham’s Timothy Castagne was the only player to send a shot on target in the first half and the next such attempt came via Tottenham’s Ben Davies in the 65th minute.
Spurs looked the most likely to break the deadlock as the second half progressed, with Dominic Solanke spurning three opportunities that included one at an open goal from five yards.
However, substitute Muniz, who scored twice when Fulham beat Tottenham 3-0 at Craven Cottage last season, put the hosts in front in the 75th minute with a cool side-footed finish.
Tottenham threw bodies forward in search of an equaliser but were caught out at the back when former Spurs defender Sessegnon curled in Fulham’s second goal.
Victory moves Fulham up to eighth in the standings and just four points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea, while Tottenham remain 13th.
Cottagers keep on climbing
Fulham’s Marco Silva, in his 200th game as a Premier League manager, would not have been happy with how his side performed for 75 minutes.
They were lacking in creativity and decisiveness, but one passage of play changed the feeling of the game and lifted the mood, with Fulham winning the ball high up the field and eventually working it to Muniz who finished in fine fashion.
Fulham looked more confident after the opener and stood firm as Spurs hunted for an equaliser.
Sessegnon showed desire to close out the win against his former side, latching on to a long ball and holding off Davies before finding the right corner.
Fulham have never finished higher than seventh in the Premier League, achieving that position in 2008-09, but they are firmly in contention to better that this season.
With nine games remaining, European football in 2025-26 is also a tantalising prospect.
Tottenham’s troubles continue
After the high of beating AZ Alkmaar to secure a Europa League quarter-final place on Thursday, Tottenham looked off the pace back in the Premier League.
Ange Postecoglou could be excused for prioritising Europe as he looks to land a first trophy for the club since 2008, although supporters will want to see a greater hunger than was evident at Craven Cottage.
With Son Heung-min and James Maddison among those on the bench once again, head coach Postecoglou’s selection policy is back under the spotlight as Spurs were unable to find a foothold in this game.
Postecoglou introduced Son and Lucas Bergvall as substitutes at the start of the second half against Bournemouth in Tottenham’s previous league outing.
Son scored a late equaliser in that game, and Postecoglou sent the same pair on after the interval at Fulham, but this time Spurs ended empty-handed.
Solanke started his second successive Premier League game since returning from long-term injury, but he lacked sharpness and the clinical edge he was drafted in to provide.
Defeat leaves Tottenham languishing down the standings and increasingly likely to finish outside the top 10 for the first time in 17 years. Their lowest Premier League finish remains 15th in 1994 under manager Ossie Ardiles.
Meanwhile Chelsea‘s challenge for a place in next season’s Champions League faltered in a toothless 1-0 defeat at Arsenal on Sunday.