Tottenham Hotspur endured a frustrating evening on December 1 as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by a resilient Fulham side. The result, which saw Ange Postecoglou’s men drop two valuable points in their pursuit of a top-four finish, laid bare several tactical and individual shortcomings. Chief among them was the decision to start James Maddison, whose disappointing performance only compounded Spurs’ struggles on the day.
A Tale of Missed Opportunities
The game started with Tottenham enjoying a slight advantage in possession, as has been characteristic of Postecoglou’s approach this season. However, possession alone was not enough to dominate a well-organized Fulham side, who consistently looked more dangerous in attack. The deadlock was broken in the second half when Brennan Johnson put Spurs ahead with a well-taken goal, briefly lifting the spirits of the home crowd. Yet their joy was short-lived, as Tom Cairney equalized for Fulham, capitalizing on Spurs’ defensive lapses.
While Tottenham had moments of promise, they failed to take control of the game, leaving their fans frustrated. Fulham, on the other hand, showed grit and determination, creating several threatening chances that tested Tottenham’s resolve. Fraser Forster, deputizing in goal, was arguably Spurs’ standout performer, pulling off a string of outstanding saves to deny Fulham a victory. His heroics were critical in ensuring Tottenham walked away with at least a point.
Maddison’s Diminishing Impact
Much of the pre-match conversation centered on the return of James Maddison to the starting lineup. The England international had been rested for Spurs’ 2-2 Europa League draw against Roma just days earlier, with the expectation that he would deliver a statement performance against Fulham. Maddison had shown glimpses of his immense quality earlier in the season, particularly in the commanding 4-0 win over Manchester City. However, his performance against Fulham was far from the high standards he is capable of.
Statistically, Maddison struggled to make any meaningful impact. According to FotMob, he registered an expected goals (xG) value of just 0.07 and an expected assists (xA) of only 0.06. These numbers reflect a lack of creative output, a worrying sign for a player relied upon to unlock defenses. Despite seeing plenty of the ball with 65 touches, Maddison’s execution was poor. He completed only 33% of his dribbles, had a crossing accuracy of just 20%, and failed to connect with any of his three attempted long balls.
Defensively, his contributions were even less encouraging. Maddison made zero tackles or interceptions and won only three of his ten duels. His inability to impose himself in both attack and defense left Tottenham lacking control in midfield, and his overall performance did little to justify his inclusion in the starting XI.
Tactical Missteps by Postecoglou
Ange Postecoglou’s decision to drop Dejan Kulusevski to the bench also came under scrutiny. Kulusevski has been one of Tottenham’s most reliable creative outlets, and his absence was keenly felt against a compact Fulham defense. Without the Swedish winger’s ability to drive forward and link play, Spurs’ attack lacked cohesion and penetration.
By opting to prioritize Maddison in the lineup, Postecoglou gambled on the midfielder rediscovering his form. Unfortunately, this decision backfired. Maddison’s underwhelming display, coupled with Kulusevski’s absence, left Tottenham toothless in attack for large parts of the game. It is a decision that the Australian manager will likely revisit as he prepares for the busy festive period, where fixture congestion demands better squad rotation and tactical adaptability.
The Broader Implications
Tottenham’s draw against Fulham is not just about two points dropped—it also raises questions about the team’s ability to maintain consistency over the course of a demanding season. While the Lilywhites have shown glimpses of brilliance under Postecoglou, their struggles against well-drilled opposition like Fulham underscore lingering issues that must be addressed.
For Maddison, the onus is now on him to prove that his dip in form is temporary. As one of Tottenham’s marquee signings, expectations for the former Leicester star are high, and performances like this only add to the pressure. Postecoglou, for his part, will need to find a way to rebuild the player’s confidence while ensuring that the team’s performances do not suffer in the process.
Looking Ahead
The January transfer window may offer Tottenham an opportunity to address some of their weaknesses. Reinforcements in midfield and defense could provide much-needed depth, particularly if Maddison’s struggles persist. Additionally, Postecoglou must consider how best to utilize his existing squad, ensuring that key players like Kulusevski are not sidelined in favor of underperforming alternatives.
As Spurs enter a crucial phase of the season, every point will matter in the race for European qualification. Matches like the one against Fulham serve as a reminder of how fine the margins can be in the Premier League. For Postecoglou and his squad, the challenge will be to learn from these setbacks and respond with the resilience and quality that their fans demand.
In the immediate term, Tottenham must refocus and prepare for their upcoming fixtures. With games coming thick and fast, the team will have little time to dwell on this disappointing result. However, the lessons from this match—both in terms of tactical decisions and individual performances—should not be forgotten as Spurs strive to achieve their ambitions this season.
