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Stand-in skipper did not step up on another big day

Captain: Micky van de Ven

Action Images via Reuters

Sam Tabuteau

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Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Sam Tabuteau

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Tottenham’s winless start to life under Igor Tudor continued as they were beaten 2-1 by Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Harry Wilson fired Fulham into an early lead before Alex Iwobi doubled the hosts’ lead just past the half-hour mark with a superb side-footed effort from the edge of the box.

Richarlison came off the bench to pull a goal back for Spurs as he headed home at the back post from Archie Gray’s cross, but Fulham held on to take all three points.

Sam Tabuteau rated the Spurs players at Craven Cottage...

Guglielmo Vicario 6

Nothing he could do for either goal, but did not inspire confidence for a new look defence with his distribution or handling. Saved well from Smith Rowe in the second-half.

Pedro Porro 7

Supported Spurs’ frontline well when he could, and was at times the only player offering any source of creativity in the first half. One of the few Spurs players who can be happy with their performance.

Micky van de Ven 5

Tudor needed Van de Ven to step up and lead from the back, but Fulham seized the early advantage. Spurs’ stand-in captain never looked settled as he rushed into a number of mis-timed challenges, and he was booked for a rash challenge on Jimenez in the second-half.

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Radu Dragusin 5

He had to be stronger up against Jimenez as Wilson fired Fulham ahead early on. Never looked in control, and he consistently struggled to make the right decision when asked to push up or drop off.

Archie Gray 6

Starting at left-back, he was heavily targeted by Fulham’s frontline and struggled as the hosts cruised into a two-goal lead. Improved after the break and crossed for Richarlison to head home after making a darting overlapping run.

Joao Palhinha 6

Endured a difficult afternoon on his return to Craven Cottage. The Portuguese midfielder was left chasing shadows as Fulham dominated in transition. As always, he got through plenty of defensive work, but again this was more a reaction to Fulham’s dominance rather than a reflection of his ability to take charge of the midfield battle.

Conor Gallagher 5

Gallagher felt like someone who would really benefit from the aggressive, high-intensity style Tudor wants to play, but it has been a difficult first couple of games for the English midfielder. Fulham had the measure of the midfield battle in the first-half and Tudor moved quickly to try and change the momentum by bringing Pape Matar Sarr on for Gallagher.

Yves Bissouma 6

Struggled to replicate the intensity that he showed off the ball against Arsenal, as Fulham cut through Spurs’ midfield with ease in the first-half. Replaced late on as Spurs chased an equaliser.

Xavi Simons 5

Could not get into the game as Spurs struggled to build any meaningful pressure in the final third and was taken off as part of an early triple change in the second-half. He did not take a single touch in the opposition box.

Randal Kolo Muani 6

A willing runner in the channels, but was marshalled well by Fulham’s defence, who were quick to shut down any shooting opportunities for the Frenchman. He was replaced early in the second half by Richarlison.

Dominic Solanke 5

Let Iwobi run off the back of him to score Fulham’s second. His decision-making in the final third lacked confidence, and his touch let him down on a few occasions.

Subs

Mathys Tel 7

Made a real difference off the bench, as he looked to get on the ball and drive at Fulham’s defence. Heavily involved in Richarlison’s goal and was a threat throughout as Spurs tried to salvage a draw.

Richarlison 7

Got Spurs back into the game with a cushioned header at the back-post. Always makes an impact as a substitute. Looked visibly upset at full-time, having done all he could to try and get Spurs back level.

Pape Matar Sarr 6

Brought on to provide some energy in midfield, but could not turn the tide for Spurs as they fell to their 13th defeat of the season.

Souza N/A

Took just five touches, having been brought on to add some attacking impetus late on.

Kevin Danso N/A

Came on late on with Spurs looking for an equaliser. The fact that Tudor felt he had to bring on the Austrian centre-back as his side chased a goal says a lot about where Spurs’ squad are at right now.

Unused subs: Kinsky, Austin, Rowswell, Olusesi

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Spurs injury woes are easing, a bit

Djed Spence, Mohammed Kudus and Lucas Bergvall

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Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Sam Tabuteau

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Tottenham’s injury woes have eased, but not as much as they would have hoped after Djed Spence picked up a fresh problem.

While Micky van den Ven recovered with a minor injury to start, along with the returning Pedro Porro and Kevin Danso, fellow defender Spence was absent with a calf complaint.

Meanwhile, Destiny Udogie, Lucas Bergvall and Mohammed Kudus are still some weeks away from returning, with others facing longer spells out.

Here’s all the latest Tottenham injury news and potential return dates...

Djed Spence

Djed Spence was ruled out of Tottenham’s trip to Fulham with a calf injury.

The versatile defender was absent from the matchday squad at Craven Cottage on Sunday, prompting fresh injury concerns.

Standard Sport understands that Spence is suffering what is considered a very minor calf injury.

It remains unclear when Spence will be able to return. Spurs are next in action at home to Crystal Palace on Thursday, March 5.

Potential return date: Unknown

Lucas Bergvall

Lucas Bergvall is sidelined with an ankle injury, picked up during the 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund in January.

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The midfielder went under the knife and was ruled out for up to three months, which set his return for April.

Encouraging reports from Sweden last month indicated his recovery is progressing well, with Bergvall no longer wearing a protective boot.

There is an outside chance that Bergvall could feature in Sweden’s World Cup play-off against Ukraine at the end of March.

Potential return date: April

Mohammed Kudus

Mohammed Kudus is not expected to return from a hamstring until before April.

The influential midfielder suffered the injury in the 1–1 draw with Sunderland on January 4, and was subsequently ruled out for up to three months.

In February, it was reported that Kudus travelled to Amsterdam to see a specialist he knows from his time with Ajax to help with his recovery.

There has been no word on any setback, and it is thought to still be targeting a return to full training after the March international break.

Potential return date: April

Destiny Udogie suffered a hamstring injury against Manchester United

REUTERS

Destiny Udogie

Destiny Udogie is sidelined with a hamstring injury for at least another two weeks.

After picking up the injury against Manchester United on February 7, which did not require surgery, the left-back was ruled out for “the next four to five weeks”.

Asked for an update ahead of the trip to Fulham, new manager Igor Tudor was vague on both Udogie and Kulusevski.

“It's a weekly basis. When they come, they come,” he told reporters. “We need to be focused on the way, and also, how they come back into the team.

“Also, the main important thing is, in time, they are recovering to put them in good condition, so when they come back, they are in good shape. Otherwise, it's a problem.”

Potential return date: April

Dejan Kulusevski

Dejan Kulusevski has been out since the end of last season with a patella injury.

Reports in Sweden earlier in February claimed Kulusevski is “nowhere near stepping out” on the pitch and, speaking just before he was sacked, Frank was unsure if the midfielder would play again this season.

Posting on Instagram in February, Kulusevski shared a video of himself in the gym at Hotspur Way going through an intensive set of single-legged squats with his injured right leg.

Igor Tudor worked with Kulusevski at Juventus, and hopes to work with him before the end of the season.

“Fantastic player, fantastic guy,” Tudor said last week. “He's had really big problems, as you know, here. But he's positive. And also the doctors are positive. So we'll see, next week, how it's going.”

Potential return date: Unknown

Wilson Odobert

Wilson Odobert suffered a serious knee injury against Newcastle in February, and Spurs confirmed he would have surgery.

Odobert is the latest long-term injury problem at Spurs, who said in a statement: “Wilson will see a specialist next week before undergoing surgery, and will then commence his rehabilitation with our medical staff. We're all behind you, Wilson.”

Spurs have not put a timescale on his return, but he will not be back until next season.

Potential return date: Late 2026

Wilson Odobert suffered a serious knee injury against Newcastle

Action Images via Reuters

Rodrigo Bentancur

Rodrigo Bentancur has been ruled out with a hamstring injury since a defeat to Bournemouth in January.

He quickly underwent surgery and was ruled out for three months.

The midfielder, who was an almost ever-present under Thomas Frank, is not expected back until April.

Potential return date: Mid-April

Ben Davies

Ben Davies is expected to have played his final game for Spurs after suffering a broken ankle during a 2-1 defeat to West Ham in January.

The left-sided defender has been at Spurs for 12 years, playing 448 games, but is out of contract at the end of the season.

Davies has undergone a second operation and is a doubt for the World Cup should Wales qualify.

Potential return date: June

James Maddison

James Maddison has been sidelined since suffering a serious knee injury during a pre-season friendly against Newcastle in South Korea.

He has recently been seen in training videos with the Spurs squad, but is not expected to return before the end of the season.

Potential return date: Summer 2026

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Djed Spence has been ruled out of Tottenham’s trip to Fulham with a calf injury.

Standard Sport understands that Spence has sustained a very minor calf issue, but it remains unclear when he will return to fitness.

Spence missed Spurs’ 2-2 draw with Manchester City and their 2-0 defeat to Manchester United last month with a calf injury.

He returned to the starting line-up for Thomas Frank’s final game in charge, as Spurs were beaten 2-1 by Newcastle, and also played the full 90 minutes of last weekend’s north London derby defeat.

Pedro Porro has returned from a hamstring injury to take Spence’s place in the starting line-up against Fulham, while Kevin Danso has returned from a toe injury and is named on the bench.

Spence adds to Spurs’ injury woes, with 10 first-team players now absent through injury and suspension.

Asked about Spurs’ injury issues, Tudor said he would rather keep his opinions to himself, having inherited a squad that he feels is physically “not in an amazing position.”

“Physically, I believe, we are not in an amazing situation,” Tudor said on Thursday.

“They have played lots of games in the last period without lots of players available and it meant the physical condition of the team has dropped down.

“We need to use this period where we don’t play the games to put some petrol in the engine so the engine starts to work better.”

Pedro Porro and Micky van de Ven start for Tottenham against Fulham, but there is no Djed Spence.

Igor Tudor has had to get to grips with Spurs’ crippling injury list since taking charge of the club two weeks ago, and had just 13 senior players available to train ahead of last weekend’s 4-1 defeat to Arsenal.

Spurs, who are yet to win a league game in 2026, currently sit 16th in the Premier League table and are just four points above the bottom three.

With Porro back in the starting line-up, and Kevin Danso back on the bench, Tudor is close to naming a regular backline. For now, Archie Gray continues to deputise at left-back.

Van de Ven has been passed fit after a “small problem” with his little finger.

Spurs’ defence picks itself right now, with captain Cristian Romero still suspended, but Tudor had a decision to make up front with Dominic Solanke and Kolo Muani starting together.

Solanke was only fit enough for the bench against Arsenal, having struggled with a sore throat in the lead-up to the game.

Kolo Muani has the trust of Tudor, who got the French forward playing some of the best football of his career on loan at Juventus last season.

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Sam Tabuteau

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Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Sam Tabuteau

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Tottenham have been boosted by the returns to fitness of Pedro Porro and Kevin Danso ahead of today’s trip to Fulham.

Igor Tudor has had to get to grips with Spurs’ crippling injury list since taking charge of the club two weeks ago, and had just 13 senior players available to train ahead of last weekend’s 4-1 defeat to Arsenal.

Tudor is now, though, set to be boosted by the returns of Porro and Danso, having also welcomed Richarlison back last week, as he looks to steer Spurs away from the relegation zone.

Spurs, who are yet to win a league game in 2026, currently sit 16th in the Premier League table and are just four points above the bottom three.

As expected, Tudor opted for a three-man defence against Arsenal, playing Joao Palhinha as a makeshift centre-back, while the versatile Archie Gray continued at right wing-back.

On a difficult first outing for Tudor, his side struggled for balance and were ultimately picked apart in defence as Arsenal took charge in the second-half.

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With Porro and Danso back, Tudor will now be able to name five natural defenders as he quickly tries to settle on a team he can trust heading into the final months of the season.

Micky van de Ven is expected to be available for selection despite a “small problem” with his little finger.

Spurs’ defence picks itself right now, with captain Cristian Romero still suspended, but Tudor has a decision to make up front where Dominic Solanke is back to full fitness.

Small issue: Micky van de Ven

AFP via Getty Images

Solanke was only fit enough for the bench against Arsenal, having struggled with a sore throat in the lead-up to the game.

He was replaced in the starting lineup by Randal Kolo Muani, who scored his first Premier League goal of the season as Spurs equalised just 24 seconds after Eberechi Eze had given Arsenal the lead at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Kolo Muani has the trust of Tudor, who got the French forward playing some of the best football of his career on loan at Juventus last season.

However, with Solanke fit enough to start, Kolo Muani is likely to drop out of the side.

Richarlison is also an option as Tudor looks to breathe new life into Spurs’ attack after the Brazilian returned from a hamstring injury against Arsenal.

One area of the pitch where Tudor is not struggling for options is in midfield, with Gray and Palhinha free to play in their more natural positions, having deputised in defence last weekend.

Tudor must decide whether to stick with the midfield three of Yves Bissouma, Pape Matar Sarr and Conor Gallagher he deployed against Arsenal or look to Gray and Palhinha.

Spurs face two huge games, away to Fulham and at home to Crystal Palace, over the next week as they try to put distance between themselves and the bottom three.

Tudor is only one game into his Spurs tenure, but the pressure is already on him to deliver results with the north London club sitting precariously above the relegation zone.

Predicted Tottenham XI (3-4-2-1): Vicario, Dragusin, Danso, Van de Ven, Porro, Palhinha, Bissouma, Spence, Gallagher, Simons, Solanke

Doubt: Van de Ven

Injured: Kudus, Bergvall, Bentancur, Davies, Udogie, Maddison, Kulusevski, Odobert

Suspended: Romero

Time and date: 2pm GMT on Sunday, March 1, 2026

How to watch: Sky Sports

Venue: Craven Cottage, London

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Tottenham seeking first Premier League win of 2026

London derby: Fulham vs Tottenham

ES Composite

Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

COMMENTS

Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Sam Tabuteau

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Tottenham will look to ease their relegation fears when they face London rivals Fulham this weekend.

Spurs make the short trip across the capital on the back of a bruising 4-1 loss to Arsenal in the north London derby last Sunday in what was Igor Tudor’s first game in charge as interim head coach.

That result has left Tottenham four points clear of the relegation zone, though the lead will be narrowed if West Ham avoid defeat to Liverpool on Saturday.

While the pressure is on Spurs, Fulham still have plenty to play for this season. Into the fifth round of the FA Cup, a top seven finish is also within reach for Marco Silva’s side.

Last weekend’s 3-1 win over Sunderland ended a run of three straight defeats in the Premier League and the Cottagers are bidding to complete a double against Tottenham.

Here’s everything you need to know about the game.

Date, kick-off time and venue

Fulham vs Tottenham is scheduled for a 2pm GMT kick-off on Sunday, March 1, 2026.

The match will take place at Craven Cottage, in west London.

Where to watch Fulham vs Tottenham

TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on Sky Sports. Coverage starts at 1pm GMT on Sky Sports Premier League.

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Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Sky Go app.

Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog, with expert analysis from Sam Tabuteau at the ground.

Fulham vs Tottenham team news

Fulham could be handed a triple fitness boost for the London derby as Antonee Robinson, Samuel Chukwueze and Sasa Lukic may all be available for selection.

Chukwueze has not featured since the 3-0 loss to Man City because of a calf issue, while a thigh problem has sidelined Lukic since the 1-0 loss to Fulham in mid January.

Marco Silva, however, has confirmed Kevin will miss out after undergoing surgery on a metatarsal injury sustained against Sunderland.

Pedro Porro and Kevin Danso returned to training for Tottenham during the week, handing Igor Tudor a welcome injury boost.

That said, the Croatian tactician still cannot call upon the likes of Destiny Udogie, Mohammed Kudus, Dejan Kulusevski and Lucas Bergvall because of injury. Cristian Romero serves the penultimate game of his four-match suspension.

Dominic Solanke, though, could return to the starting line-up after being a substitute against Arsenal, and Richarlison’s return to fitness allows for Tudor to freshen up the attack.

Fitness boost: Pedro Porro

AFP via Getty Images

Fulham vs Tottenham prediction

Tottenham are without a Premier League win in 2026 and have now lost three matches in a row.

There is an argument that Fulham’s rather erratic form does give Spurs a glimmer of hope for getting a much needed result in the London derby.

However, we expect the hosts to take full advantage of their rivals’ current plight and secure all three points.

Fulham to win, 2-0.

Head to head (h2h) history and results

Fulham beat Tottenham in the reverse fixture earlier in the season and are four games unbeaten in this particular London derby.

Fulham wins: 22

Tottenham wins: 55

Draws: 31

Fulham vs Tottenham match odds

Fulham to win: 10/11

Tottenham to win: 21/10

Draw: 2/1

Odds via Betfair (subject to change).

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Spurs qualified automatically for the knockout stage by finishing fourth in the league phase behind only Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Liverpool after picking up 17 points from their eight matches.

However, much has changed since booking their spot in the last-16 with a 2-0 win against Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany last month, as Thomas Frank has been sacked and subsequently replaced by Igor Tudor on an interim basis.

Last season’s Europa League winners will be eyeing a unique feat of winning back-to-back European titles in campaign where they are battling relegation in the Premier League.

Tottenham will face Atletico Madrid in the last-16, in what is the most difficult of the two outcomes. Spurs could have been drawn against Galatasaray, which then would have led to a quarter-final tie against holders Paris Saint-Germain or Chelsea.

Atleti, who have faced English opposition already this season, overcame Club Brugge 7-4 on aggregate in the knockout phase and can afford to put all their eggs into the Champions League basket with success in LaLiga unlikely.

Should Spurs overcome Atletico, they will face either Newcastle or Barcelona in the quarter-finals. Tottenham would be underdogs against either side, but their form in Europe over the past two seasons suggest they could spring a surprise.

Bodo/Glimt, Sporting CP, Bayer Leverkusen and Arsenal are the four potential opponents, as the Gunners face Leverkusen and the two less fancied sides go head-to-head in the last-16.

There is the possibility therefore of a north London derby headlining a Champions League semi-final for the very first time and Spurs would be desperate for revenge after losing both games 4-1 this season.

If Tottenham were to reach their second Champions League final, they would surely arrive in Budapest at the end of May as massive underdogs.

PSG will hope to be at the Puskas Arena to defend their title, but Bayern Munich are arguably the favourites to progress from that side of the draw that also includes Real Madrid and Manchester City.

Arsenal’s victory over Tottenham in the second north London derby of the season was significant in more ways than one.

Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres both scored twice to secure Arsenal a 4-1 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last Sunday, repeating the scoreline from the first derby of the campaign at the Emirates.

The result has allowed the Gunners to steady the ship after a recent wobble in the Premier League title race as Mikel Arteta’s restored their five-point lead over Manchester City at the summit.

Besides bragging rights, implications on the title race and relegation battle, Arsenal opening up a 32 point gap over Tottenham is of huge significance to supporters on the red half of north London.

This is because the chance to celebrate ‘St Totteringham's Day’ could happen as early as Sunday.

‘St Totteringham's Day’ is the date upon which Spurs can no longer mathematically finish above the Gunners in the Premier League table.

Arsenal have finished above Tottenham in each of the last three season’s having not been able to celebrate ‘St Totteringham's Day’ for six seasons in a row from 2016-17 to 2021-22.

This weekend sees Arsenal host Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium, while Tottenham are also in London derby action away at Fulham in the 2pm kick-off at Craven Cottage.

If the Gunners win, they will be guaranteed to finish above Spurs in the Premier League for a fourth successive campaign.

Alternatively, ‘St Totteringham's Day’ will be confirmed before the Arsenal players even step onto the pitch against Chelsea if Tottenham fail to beat Fulham.

As per analysis from BlackScarfMarc on X (formerly Twitter), the earliest previous confirmation of ‘St. Totteringham’s Day’ was on March 9, in the 2007-08 campaign. This means Arsenal are on course to guarantee finishing above Tottenham in the Premier League at the earliest date ever.

In a scenario where ‘St. Totteringham’s Day’ is not confirmed on March 1, the next opportunity will be March 4/5 when Arsenal face Brighton away from home and Spurs host Crystal Palace respectively.