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.
5. Son Heung-Min - 4
Son’s malaise continues - he rarely looked a threat. Where have those runs off the shoulder of the last man gone? | Getty Images
6. Rodrigo Bentancur - 6
Bentancur looks good on the ball but without much end product. It feels very much like that’s down to a lack of movement from those around him though. | Getty Images
7. Dejan Kulusevski - 6
Deki remains a bright spark going forward but the lethargy around him leaves him praying he can pick out Kane each time. | Getty Images
8. Eric Dier - 5
Neither the rock he was at his height last season, nor an absolute liability. | Getty Images