Tottenham Hotspur's frustrating season took yet another turn for the worse following a 2-0 defeat to local rivals Fulham on March 16, 2025. The result marked their 15th loss in the Premier League and saw the team slip into 14th place, as their hopes for a strong finish continue to fade.
Despite the defeat, Tottenham briefly flashed moments of promise, but ultimately fell short against a solid and organized Fulham team. The hosts capitalized on Tottenham’s defensive lapses, particularly that of Djed Spence, who was heavily criticized for his role leading to both goals. According to Manchester United legendary forward Wayne Rooney, Spence's lack of awareness proved costly as Ryan Sessegnon found the net for Fulham.
In a review of the match, Rooney stated, “I think on this goal as well, if you look at Djed Spence and his positioning, he’s actually in a good position. But for some reason, he closes his body off and switches off so he doesn’t see him.” Rooney emphasized the team's lack of energy, fight, and desire, which has become a recurring concern for the squad under manager Ange Postecoglou.
Postecoglou, facing increasing pressure and fan discontent regarding the team's performance, noted after the match that they were unlucky not to have received a penalty moments before Fulham took the lead. The incident involved Fulham's Calvin Bassey tripping Lucas Bergvall in the box, but referee Andy Madley opted not to award the penalty, a decision that left many shocked, including former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett, who labeled it a 'cheating' incident.
Hackett remarked, “I find it amazing that VAR didn’t come in,” expressing his disbelief at the officiating during the match. He also noted that Spurs had themselves been fortunate when Spence's push on Raul Jimenez went unpunished earlier in the match.
The match itself began with minimal excitement, as both teams struggled to find their footing in the opening minutes. Fulham's Andreas Pereira and Willian squandered early chances, while Tottenham only began to show moments of promise through youngsters like Mathys Tel. However, despite good positioning, Tel's opportunities did not translate into a breakthrough.
As the match continued, the tide turned in favor of Fulham as the game approached its final quarter. Rodrigo Muniz broke the deadlock with a well-placed shot after a build-up that saw Tottenham’s defense caught off guard. Just moments later, Sessegnon extended Fulham’s lead, sealing the match's fate.
Son Heung-Min, who came off the bench as a second-half substitute, did add some urgency to Tottenham's attack, but his efforts were not enough to change the outcome of what was becoming a very frustrating game for the visitors.
Players on the Tottenham roster have faced criticism for their lack of consistency throughout the season. Postecoglou has urged his squad, especially Spence, to recommit and maintain proper focus as they head into their Europa League fixtures. Winning that competition has become Tottenham's primary focus, as their league aspirations dwindle.
Critics have pointed towards the inconsistency of several key players during the match against Fulham. For instance, Cuti Romero, who had been working his way back into fitness and was integral to the squad's tactics, received a glowing report with 4 stars from fans, highlighting his importance. However, defensive lapses from players like Ben Davies, who received just 2 stars after failing to perform in crucial moments, have exacerbated Spurs’ problems.
Overall, Tottenham's lack of authority in defending coupled with their sluggish attacking play leaves much to be desired. The team has now lost its last two Premier League matches, compounding the pressure on Postecoglou and his methods, even as Spurs cling to their remaining hope in the Europa League.
In light of Tottenham's recent struggles, the possibility of change looms large, with fans suggesting potential replacements for Postecoglou, including other prominent managers like Marco Silva of Fulham and Thomas Frank of Brentford.
As Tottenham prepares for the international break, the club faces a tough task ahead in addressing their deficiencies. With the return to league action, fans and pundits alike will be watching closely to see if the team can rally and find a way to rebound from yet another disappointing display.
As the players regroup during the break, only time will tell if the current squad can reignite the fire needed to propel Tottenham back into the upper echelons of the Premier League and European competition.
