Report and free match highlights from the Carabao Cup second-round match between Fulham and Tottenham at Craven Cottage as Davinson Sanchez misses crucial spot-kick as Ange Postecoglou's men crash out of the competition after shootout defeat; Postecoglou defends selection decisions
Wednesday 30 August 2023 12:41, UK
A bizarre call to hand Davinson Sanchez Tottenham's third spot-kick in their Carabao Cup shootout with Fulham cost them dearly as they lost on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
Earlier, Richarlison had opened his account for the season with a header when Fulham defender Kenny Tete had been forced to return to the changing room to find a replacement boot.
That cancelled out a 19th-minute own-goal from Micky van de Ven, which had given the hosts a deserved half-time advantage despite being without boss Marco Silva, who was serving a touchline ban.
No further goals were forthcoming and the 1-1 scoreline at 90 minutes meant spot-kicks were required and after five successful penalties, a low effort from Sanchez which was saved by Marek Rodak proved the difference.
Tete then turned match-winner, firing Fulham's fifth penalty past Fraser Forster to book their place in the third round and leave Tottenham with only one realistic option of trying to end their trophy drought, which stretches back to 2008.
Both of these Premier League teams had exited this competition at the first opportunity last season, but 15 changes were made overall with Spurs making nine after entering at the second round stage for the first time since 2009.
Afterwards, Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou defended the number of alterations he'd made to the side which had won at Bournemouth in the Premier League at the weekend.
"It is my priority [the cups] but there is no European football so how am I going to find out about our players? What opportunity would I have to do that other than the game? They are all part of our club," he said.
"We thought they'd be able to bring a different energy [on Tuesday] and that doesn't mean the cup or any game isn't our priority.
"From my perspective, we're very much at the discovery stage so we need to find out and give the players the opportunity to contribute, because that's why they're here. They're not just here to make up the numbers. They keep working hard and deserved the opportunity to go out and play [on Tuesday]."
Fulham went with largely their first-choice back four and left-back Antonee Robinson created the opening opportunity when he burst past Sanchez and crossed to the back post, but Rodrigo Muniz headed wide.
It was a sign of things to come from Sanchez, who had been expected to leave this summer but instead has moved up the defensive pecking order ahead of Eric Dier under Postecoglou.
Sanchez continued to be troubled and was at fault for the opener in the 19th minute.
Tom Cairney turned Sanchez inside out on the edge of the penalty area and his floated cross was deflected beyond Forster by Spurs' centre-back Van de Ven.
Postecoglou had brought a feelgood factor back to Tottenham after a difficult first half of 2023, but the away fans at Craven Cottage turned their frustration to chairman Daniel Levy with chants calling for him to leave the club.
Forster had to be alert soon after to deny Muniz's snapshot before Spurs did finally threaten but Richarlison's effort was blocked by Tim Ream and Ivan Perisic had a free-kick deflected wide.
The lively Muniz went close again on the stroke of half-time with a header from Adama Traore's cross, but Forster saved well to keep it 1-0.
Spurs boss Postecoglou had still seen enough and teenage forward Dane Scarlett was introduced for Giovani Lo Celso.
It had an immediate impact with Richarlison forcing Rodak to tip over his deflected shot before Scarlett's presence created a chance for Manchester United-linked Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who side-footed wide from 10 yards.
The leveller did arrive with 56 minutes played and it was a moment to savour for Richarlison, who stooped low at the back post to head in Perisic's cross for only his fourth goal for Tottenham since a £60m move last summer. Fulham, temporarily down to 10 men by Tete's forced absence, were left frustrated by the defender's boot problem.
The hosts improved after conceding with Bobby Decordova-Reid slicing wide from inside the area and substitute Harry Wilson had an effort blocked by Sanchez.
Dejan Kulusevski and Heung-Min Son were on by this point and Manor Solomon nearly won it for Spurs with a curled effort but Rodak saved, before Forster denied Wilson with his legs to ensure penalties were required.
Fulham were picture-perfect from 12 yards with Andreas Pereira, Raul Jimenez, Wilson, Joao Palhinha and Tete all able to score while Sanchez's tame effort ensured Tottenham exited in the second round for the first time since 2005.
Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou:
"Obviously disappointed with the outcome, getting knocked out of the cup. We weren't at our fluent best, particularly early on which was not surprising considering the amount of changes I made. A lot of the boys tonight [Tuesday], it was their first start of the season.
"We lacked cohesion and fluency, but I really liked the way we hung in there. There are many different ways to grow as a team and we showed some real character. We had our moments in the second half to maybe go and win it. We weren't able to get over the line and lost on penalties."
Fulham head coach Marco Silva: "Yes the best team won and the best team on the pitch will play in the next round of Carabao Cup. During the 97 minutes, we were the team with the more chances to score and unfortunately we concede a goal in one moment we were with 10 men after the Kenny Tete incident.
"In the future we are going to approach that in a different way because you cannot give the opposition the chance to play against 10 men for two or three minutes because that incident happens.
"Of course it was the first and it will be the last time it happens for us because we will approach in a very different way."
