Player Ratings: Fulham 1-2 Spurs

A tenacious and hard-working Fulham side, inspired by new head coach Rene Meulensteen, were eventually overcome by a spluttering Spurs due to 2 wonder goals from Vlad Chiriches and Lewis Holtby. Ashkan Dejagah had given the Cottagers the lead early in the second half after a mistake from Michael Dawson but the Romanian and the German sealed the points.

Hugo Lloris – 8 – A goalkeeping masterclass from the Frenchman, making a series of excellent saves to deny Fulham, demonstrating his superb reflexes.

Kyle Walker – 6 – A good all-round performance, linking up effectively with Lennon down the right flank and contributing to the attacks. Assisted both goals, one way or another.

Michael Dawson – 5 – Gave the ball away for the Fulham goal and was bullied by Berbatov throughout.

Vlad Chiriches – 7 – An accomplished defensive display, capped with a beautiful goal to equalise from a corner.

Jan Vertonghen – 6 – Solid enough, although he was caught out of position for the Fulham goal. Went off injured in the dying seconds and hopefully is OK, as we don’t want to have to play K*** N*******.

Sandro – 7 – Solid in the centre of the park.

Etienne Capoue – 6 – Slightly shaky and nervy in the first half, booked for a rash tackle and deservedly subbed.

Aaron Lennon – 7 – Another impressive performance on the right wing, running at Riise and looking to find Defoe on numerous occasions.

Paulinho – 6 – A mixed display from the £17m Brazilian: blazed an excellent chance over the bar in the first half but got himself into some great positions, including for his saved header late in the game.

Erik Lamela – 6 – Flashes of brilliance with his dribbling and forced a top save from Stekelenburg, but drifted in and out of the game.

Jermain Defoe – 6 – Saw enough of the ball but failed to truly test the Fulham goalkeeper. Sometimes managed to link up with Paulinho, including when he created his first-half chance.

Substitutes

Lewis Holtby – 7 – Came on at half time and changed the game, upping the intensity in our attacks and then netting the winning goal with a stunning strike.

Nacer Chadli – 6 – Didn’t see too much of the ball.

Andros Townsend – 6 – An important outlet to get the ball up the field and retain possession in the last few minutes of the game.