Tottenham player ratings vs Fulham: Dele Alli makes his mark as Jose Mourinho trials dream attack

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Tottenham boosted their top four hopes with a hard-fought 1-0 win at Fulham, sealed by Tosin Adarabioyo’s 19th-minute own goal.

On his first League start since the opening day of the season, Dele Alli’s shot deflected home off the defender after a slick counter-attack.

Fulham were furious that Josh Maja’s second half equaliser was ruled out by the VAR for a handball in the build up and Spurs clung on to claim an important win.

Dan Kilpatrick was at Craven Cottage to run the rule over Mourinho’s squad...

Tottenham player ratings

Hugo Lloris 7

Made a fine save to keep out Joachim Andersen’s header and showed safe hands when needed. Once played Doherty into trouble with a poor pass.

Matt Doherty 5

Lost possession more than anyone in green, including overhitting a cross when he did get forward. Looked uncomfortable defensively, too.

Toby Alderweireld 7

Often in the right place to snuff out attacks and kept the ball moving, even if his radar for raking passes was a little off.

Davinson Sanchez 7

Occasionally excellent, occasionally unsure. Made one brilliant tackle on Ruben Loftus-Cheek but his defending for Fulham’s disallowed goal was poor and it felt like a let off.

Ben Davies 6

Put his body on the line and made a number of clearances, but Spurs missed the speed and attacking thrust of Sergio Reguilon.

Tanguy Ndombele 7

Tidy, disciplined and inventive in the fist half but faded after the interval, as Fulham overran Spurs. Replaced early.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg 6

His passing was unusually loose, perhaps testament to Fulham’s impressive work at closing him down. Struggled to find a foothold in the game.

Gareth Bale 7

Played a huge part in the early goal by winning the ball and starting the counter-attack. Could not repeat his fireworks against Burnley but worked hard, so another step forward.

Dele Alli 8

Effectively marked his first League start in 172 days with a goal – although it went down as own goal – and covered more ground than anyone else on the pitch while he was on. A few signs of rustiness but encouraging.

Heung-min Son 7

A third assist this week and looked a threat on the left wing in the first half. In common with his teammates, faded after the interval and stayed on by virtue of his fitness.

Harry Kane 6

Switched play brilliantly at times, including with a lovely ball for Dele in the second half. But missed a sitter by his standards, heading straight at Alphonse Areola.

Substitutes

Moussa Sissoko (Alli 67’) 6

Helped Spurs to relieve the pressure with a couple of driving runs into Fulham territory.

Lucas Moura (Bale 67’) 6

Added fresh legs and was useful in tracking Fulham substitute Joe Bryan, who was introduced to add a threat down the left flank.

Erik Lamela (Ndombele 75’) 6

Looked bright and added a spark in the fiinal third as Spurs tried to see out the game.

Reguilon, Winks, Hart, Dier, Sissoko, Tanganga, Lucas Moura, Vinicius

Subs not used: Reguilon, Winks, Lamela, Hart, Dier,, Tanganga, Vinicius

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