Fulham dealt a significant blow to Tottenham Hotspur's aspirations for a top-four finish in the Premier League, with Rodrigo Muniz showcasing his impressive form by netting twice to secure a resounding 3-0 triumph at Craven Cottage on Saturday.
Had Tottenham emerged victorious, they would have leapfrogged Aston Villa into fourth place in the standings. However, barring a brief period before halftime, Tottenham's performance lacked vigor, leaving little room for contention.
Muniz opened the scoring in the 42nd minute and added another goal just after the hour mark, effectively sealing Fulham's victory following Sasa Lukic's earlier contribution that doubled their lead shortly after halftime.
This marked Fulham's second consecutive triumph over Tottenham at home, following their success in the League Cup, and their first league victory against the North London side in their last 10 encounters.
Tottenham remains in fifth place with 53 points from 28 games, while Fulham sits in 12th position with 38 points from 29 games. Despite their 4-0 win against Villa the previous week, Tottenham's quest for Champions League qualification faced a setback, reminiscent of challenges they hoped to have overcome since Ange Postecoglou assumed control.
Postecoglou expressed disappointment with his team's performance, citing a drop in intensity and tempo, particularly in the second half, where they struggled to assert control or momentum.
The first half, characterized by numerous chances, ended surprisingly goalless. Fulham displayed greater urgency from the start, with Andreas Pereira featuring prominently in their attacking endeavors. However, smart saves from Tottenham's goalkeeper, Guglielmo Vicario, and missed opportunities from both sides kept the scoreline level until late in the half.
The second half saw Fulham swiftly doubling their lead through Lukic, followed by Muniz's second goal. Although Tottenham attempted a late comeback, including disallowed goals and opportunities for substitutes Richarlison and Timo Werner, they failed to find the net, ending their streak of scoring in 38 consecutive league games.
Manager Marco Silva hailed Fulham's performance as deserving of the victory, affirming their dominance over a formidable opponent.
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