Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Fulham
Just before this Premier League match began, the respective managers of Spurs and Fulham embraced.
Jose Mourinho had purposely sought out his counterpart Scott Parker (a player he briefly managed) after contrasting comments made in the build-up to the game.
It’s fair to say Fulham boss Parker was less than impressed with the short notice of this fixture – and who can blame him.
The 40-year-old, who said he was only informed at 9:30am on Monday, questioned whether a bigger side would have been treated in the same way and expressed fears over player welfare.
Mourinho’s view was very different as he referred to a fortnight ago when the match was initially scheduled but then postponed due to a Covid outbreak in the Fulham camp.
On that occasion, Spurs had privately fumed when the game, due to take place on December 30, was officially called off less than three hours before kick-off – although it had been thrown into doubt a day earlier in fairness.
The embrace they shared was great to see but it should not detract from the ongoing wider debate facing football and the pressures on all those involved.
Highlights of the game
While Tottenham, who brushed aside eighth-tier side Marine on Sunday to advance to the fourth round of the FA Cup, were able to bring the rested Harry Kane, Son Heung-min, Hugo Lloris and Eric Dier back into the starting line-up, Parker had no such luxury.
After the outbreak, he thought he had time to prepare for a home game against Chelsea so fielded a strong team in their FA Cup win over QPR. Then came this late fixture change.
This is the issue. It is essentially wrong to try and cram football into a congested calendar at a time when it seems the fear of losing multi-billion pounds television contracts is taking precedence over anything else.
As acclaimed football writer Henry Winter echoed: ‘Clubs have to be flexible but the Premier League shouldn’t be guided only by those clubs and managers who shout loudest’.
If football was fair, Covid-hit Leyton Orient would not have been kicked out of the League Cup in September when they were unable to field a team against Spurs.
If football was fair, Covid-affected Aston Villa and Derby would not have had their arms bent to field junior sides in the FA Cup last weekend when it was clear if they didn’t play, they risked being kicked out of the competition.
If football was fair, Covid-gripped Celtic would not have been forced to play a Scottish Premiership match against Hibs on Monday night.
Amidst that backdrop, football carried on with the roadshow of Premier League 2021 highlights were expected to continue.
In fairness, both sides produced aplenty.
After Lloris did well to block a powerful Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa effort and Alphonse Areola twice superbly denied Son, his attacking partner in crime struck midway through the first half.
Sergio Reguilon attacked down the left and controlled the ball before delivering a pinpoint ball which Kane met perfectly to thump home a header.
If that was going to be the cue for Spurs to take control, it was anything but as the game continued end-to-end.
Fulham’s Kenny Tete struck a volley just wide of the far post, while the impressive Areola punched clear a Harry Winks shot.
Into the second half and the contest would have been all but over had Son not seen his shot, from a Tanguy Ndombele ball, strike the far post and back into Areola’s arms.
It was to prove decisive as Fulham claimed a full deserved point with 16 minutes remaining.
The goal owed much to substitute Ademola Lookman who found space down the left before delivering a fine cross which Ivan Cavaleiro powerfully headed home.
It may have been more for Fulham had Lloris not moved quickly off his line to block Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s shot in the closing stages.
The SBOTOP Premier League 2021 betting odds had been surprised enough though as they held on for a point.
Fulham are ever-improving under Parker and defying the odds may just yet happen. If only the odds on football doing the responsible thing were so favourable.
Key statistics
Kane has scored six goals in four appearances against Fulham. His goal tonight was his 25th headed goal in the Premier League – he’s just the third player to have scored 25 left footed goals, 25 right footed goals and 25 headed goals in the competition’s history, after Robbie Fowler and Andy Cole.
Tottenham have won 10 of the last 12 Premier League meetings. They have also recorded eight victories in their past 10 fixtures in all competitions at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, keeping seven clean sheets.
This was Fulham’s first Premier League match since their goalless draw with Southampton on Boxing Day.
They are unbeaten in six matches in all competitions and have drawn five successive league games. It’s their longest unbeaten top-flight run since a five-match streak between February and April 2013.
Parker made 50 Premier League appearances for Tottenham between 2011-13.
He also made four league appearances for Chelsea under Mourinho during the 2004-05 campaign.
What’s next?
Spurs go to Sheffield United on Sunday afternoon before a rare week without a fixture ahead of an FA Cup fourth round trip to Wycombe.
It’s then a quick turnaround time before they host reigning champions Liverpool on January 28.
It’s non-stop for Fulham as they host Chelsea in a west London derby on Saturday teatime (January 16) and then welcome Man Utd to Craven Cottage next Wednesday night (January 20).
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