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2023/24 English Premier League
Matchday 9
Tottenham Hotspur v Fulham
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
London, England
Monday, 23 October 2023
Kick-off is at 20h00
Tottenham will be hoping to continue their fine start to life under Ange Postecoglou when London rivals Fulham visit the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Monday, October 23.
Postecoglou has yet to taste defeat since taking charge of Spurs in the off-season and has guided them to the top of the table after eight matches.
A 1-0 win over Luton at Kenilworth Road took the North Londoners above Manchester City, who dropped to third position after suffering a second consecutive defeat, this time at the hands of Arsenal.
Postecoglou's side are ahead of their arch-rivals on goals scored, with the Gunners having an otherwise identical record to the Lilywhites.
Alamy Stock Photo
The Cottagers returned to winning ways as they beat Sheffield United 3-1 prior to the international break to sit 12th in the standings, one point outside the top 10.
Marco Silva's team arrested a two-game winless run after a 2-0 defeat to Chelsea the previous weekend saw their neighbours climb above them on goal difference.
Pedro Porro was a live wire for Spurs against the Hatters as he provided an attacking outlet down the right flank. The Spanish right-back came close to getting off the mark in his seventh appearance with an inventive shot from just inside the box in the closing stages, but the ball bent just beyond the right post with the goalkeeper seemingly beaten.
Alamy Stock Photo
Willian looks to have rediscovered his best form at Fulham after tormenting the Blades throughout and eventually getting a well-deserved goal at the death to open his account for the campaign. The Brazilian was making his fourth successive start and featured for the entire 90 minutes on each occasion, highlighting his growing influence on the team.
Postecoglou praised his players for showing a different aspect of their game as they fought hard to come away with a narrow victory at Luton after Yves Bissouma received his marching orders for a second yellow card on the stroke of half-time.
"I thought the guys handled being down a man really well in terms of maintaining our composure. We were always a threat going forward, they had a couple of chances but for the most part, we minimised it and the guys coming on helped us get over the line," he said.
"I still felt we could play our game. We still wanted to press, still wanted, when we had the ball, to use it really well. We figured we would have to defend a bit more but, you know, we've some pretty strong boys back there who don't mind that physical battle, and with Vic [Guglielmo Vicario] behind them, they handled that well."
Silva is hoping there is much more to come from Willian after his impressive display against Sheffield United, which culminated in a fine goal.
"He's a class player and you know the incredible quality he's got. I already know what he's capable of doing," the Portuguese tactician said.
"It was probably one of his best games of the season so far and I'm really pleased for him. With the quality he has, we have to keep getting the best from him."
Head-to-Head (Last Five Premier League Meetings)
Matches - 5
Tottenham - 4
Fulham - 1
Draws - 0
Premier League Matchday 9 fixtures:
Saturday, October 21
12h30: Liverpool v Everton
15h00: Bournemouth v Wolverhampton Wanderers
15h00: Brentford v Burnley
15h00: Manchester City v Brighton & Hove Albion
15h00: Newcastle United v Crystal Palace
15h00: Nottingham Forest v Luton Town
17h30: Chelsea v Arsenal
20h00: Sheffield United v Manchester United
Sunday, October 22
16h30: Aston Villa v West Ham United
Monday, October 23
20h00: Tottenham Hotspur v Fulham
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