The Tanner Report/ FA Cup 5th round: Fulham 0 Spurs 3
When your defence concedes 2 goals at home to the likes of Wigan and Nottingham Forest you do not hold too much hope that they can keep a clean sheet against a Spurs side currently sitting in third place in the Premier. Within the first few minutes our defence was sliced open only for Spurs’ Eriksen to be defied by Bettinelli and had Spurs converted all their chances – they had 23 shots on target in all – it could have been 7 or 8.
It was instructive whilst at the match to follow the Radio 5 commentary of John Motson. Motty was as well-informed as ever whilst analyst Steve Claridge criticised Fulham – rightly – for the way they were set up and defensive sloppiness. Coach Slavisa Jokatovic played Neeskens Kebano up front supported by Oluko and Ayite, he had therefore gone for speed not height with Chris Martin on the bench. They hardly troubled a Spurs defence that was not short of pace. Worse both Tim Ream and Tomas Kalas marked Harry Kane causing right back Scott Malone to move inside to cover. This left a yawning gap down the Spurs left side to attack. Time after time their moves began with Eriksen finding Kieran Trippier to his left, he advancing unchecked without a tackle or block and his cross picking out Harry Kane. This accounted for two of Harry Kane’s three goals.
In truth we were outclassed by a side stronger than us in all areas. Even our star player Tom Cairney could not call the call the shots in midfield as Spurs under Pochettino play a high pressing game which blunted his creativity. This said one Fulham fan I know well who sits in front of me spotted an elbow to Cairney’s face which the otherwise exemplary BBC commentary missed.
In my post-match chat to Ivan I did comment on the gap between the top Premier sides and an Championship one. This is more relevant for Brighton as after their win at Barnsley they look less aspiring more arriving. The best you can say of this cup tie for Fulham is that it was breathless entertainment, especially in the first half, and we just about stayed in the game. Spurs by fielding a strong but not their best side (keeper Lloris and both regular full backs were rested) three days after losing in Gent respected the competition and Fulham, to apply the cliche, can now concentrate on winning enough of the last 48 points to make the play-offs.
