Winks winner lifts Spurs after own-goal gaffe
AS Tottenham supporters filed out of Craven Cottage, a familiar tune drifted into the night, bellowed in honour of a homegrown hero who came to the rescue with a goal when they needed it most.
This time, rather than the usual goal machine, the name on their lips was Harry Winks, who appeared at the back post to score for the first time in more than two years after a long shift deep in midfield.
Less than 20 seconds of stoppage time remained when Winks pounced to crush Fulham just as they were preparing to add a hard-earned point to their survival fund.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side are in third place with a four-point advantage over Chelsea, who they face on Thursday at Stamford Bridge in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final at Stamford Bridge.
Then comes the FA Cup at Crystal Palace. Next month, the Champions League returns. Spurs are alive in all competitions and yet the squad is wearing painfully thin in key areas.
The goal by Winks spared the embarrassment of Fernando Llorente who was selected to lead the line in the absence of Harry Kane and Son Heungmin and opened the scoring with a goal in his own net.
Dele Alli levelled but for long periods Tottenham struggled to penetrate the Premier League’s leakiest defence.
Just as it seemed they would drop points, Winks appeared at the back post to head in a deep cross by Georges-Kevin Nkoudou — another forgotten man.
Nkoudou was making his first Premier League appearance of the season and his first since he came on as an 89th-minute substitute against Bournemouth in October 2017.
He would not have come on at all had Alli not been forced off with a hamstring injury.
The scoring opened in bizarre circumstances after 17 minutes. Llorente was back to defend a corner when he lost the flight of the ball. He could not adjust his feet as it hit against his knee and flashed past Hugo Lloris.
The goal contained an element of good fortune but Fulham were worthy of the lead.
Ryan Babel impressed on his debut. The Dutch winger volleyed wide and headed over and was involved when Aleksandar Mitrovic had a goal ruled out.
Although they dominated possession, Tottenham were fortunate to reach the interval at only one goal down.
Six minutes into the second half, however, and Fulham’s own defensive frailties returned to haunt them.
Tim Ream missed his kick completely as he tried to clear from the edge of his own penalty area and Christian Eriksen was able to pick out Alli as he darted between Denis Odoi and Cyrus Christie.
Alli headed in from close range, the 50th Premier League goal conceded by Fulham this season, although they have greater resilience under Ranieri and refused to buckle.
A breathless final 30 minutes brought saves by both goalkeepers and penalty appeals by both teams rejected by referee Craig Pawson, who also booked Danny Rose for diving.
The best opportunity of the closing stages fell to Llorente, but he miscued a header from a free-kick by Rose and watched this chance of personal redemption slide wide. Then up popped Winks, an unlikely saviour for Pochettino.
FULHAM (3-4-2-1): Rico 6; Odoi 7, Le Marchand 7.5, Ream 6; Christie 6, Chambers 7.5, Seri 7 (Cisse 80min), Bryan 6.5; Schurrle 6.5 (Kebano 72, 5), Babel 7 (Sessegnon 55, 5); Mitrovic 6.5.
Subs not used: Bettinelli, Vietto, Aytie, Cairney. Scorer: Llorente og 17. Booked: Mitrovic, Seri. Manager: Claudio Ranieri 6.5. TOTTENHAM (3-4-2-1): Lloris 6.5; Alderweireld 6, Sanchez 7, Vertonghen 6,5; Trippier 6, Eriksen 7.5, Winks 8, Rose 7.5; Lamela 5.5 (Dier 79), Alli 7 (Nkoudou 86); Llorente 5. Subs not used: Gazzaniga, Foyth, Davies, Skipp, Sterling. Scorers: Alli 51, Winks 90+3. Booked: Sanchez, Rose. Manager: Mauricio Pochettino 6.5. Referee: Craig Pawson. Attendance: 24,807.