Tottenham player ratings: Kane equals Jimmy Greaves’ record as Spurs beat Fulham 1-0 at Craven Cottage
Tottenham Hotspur player ratings as they defeated Fulham at Craven Cottage in the Premier League.
An injury-time goal from Harry Kane spared Tottenham’s blushes after a chaotic first half when Fulham looked lively at Craven Cottage.
The timing of the goal meant the customary second half resurgence was only brought forward by a few minutes. In fact, much of the second half was somewhat patchy.
Despite the 1-0 victory, all is clearly not well at Spurs. The goal aside, Fulham edged the first half and the “Levy our chants” from the away supporters were clear after an hour.
The fustration with the chairman is perhaps distracting from a manager, Antonio Conte, who has yet to commit to the club and whose system is providing neither entertainment nor, often, results.
But for the manager it is three points away at an industrious Fulham side, who just didn’t have the quality to break through.
Harry Kane has now equalled Jimmy Greaves’ club record of 266 goals and although he doesn’t look at the peak of his game, for him it is job done.
Of several of his teammaes the same cannot be said, with a lethargy in most areas of the pitch.
Stiff challenges lie ahead in the league, not least against Manchester City on February 1, and the transfer window remains very much open.
1. Hugo Lloris - 5
The experienced keeper and captain has been prone to errors recently, and three first-half shots rebounded off him into dangerous areas. But a clean sheet is a clean sheet.
2. Harry Kane - 7
Kane doesn’t score too often from outside the box and a long-distance effort early on spoke of desperation. Yet in first-half injury time he showed his class - receiving, turning and shooting low from inside the D.
3. Cristian Romero - 5
Cuti showed his class and his dark arts on the road to World Cup glory, but rather than returning matured, his positioning often looks risky and he runs the constant risk of picking up a red.
4. Ivan Perisic - 4
The Coatian had a quiet game, rarely able to get near the touchline or deliver for the strikers.