MUNIZ Red-hot Rod puts
ANGE POSTECOGLOU cut a bemused and baffled figure as Tottenham’s Champions League dreams suffered a devastating blow.
Just when the North Londoners seemingly had fourth place within their hands, they chucked it away in astonishingly inept fashion.
Talk about the old Spursy coming back with a vicious vengeance to derail Postecoglou’s revolution.
A win last night would have put them a point clear of Aston Villa and into that final spot currently guaranteeing entry into Europe’s elite next term.
Instead, though, they turned up at Craven Cottage as if they expected to cruise to three points – only to be sent packing by rampant Fulham.
Two goals from Brazilian hotshot Rodrigo Muniz, making it seven in his last seven outings, sandwiched Sasa Lukic’s first for the club.
With little to play for Marco Silva’s side could have coasted through the rest of the campaign.
Yet they have done the reverse. In addition to Tottenham, they have also beaten Manchester United and Brighton in the last month.
Muniz’s prolific form had left onloan January signing Armando Broja on the bench. Until yesterday, when he was omitted completely. A ‘technical decision’, said Silva, whose club must now pay Chelsea £4million for not starting the striker enough.
Money well spent on this evidence. For in-form and in-favour Muniz was a menace from the outset. His blocked shot on two minutes was almost fired in via the rebound by Andreas Pereira as it was deflected inches wide.
And 10 minutes later Pereira was denied by Cristian Romero’s block and likewise Lukic’s follow-up by Tottenham stopper Guglielmo Vicario.
Then Willian, showing he has lost little of his electric pace, forced the Italian into a sharp save at the far post.
Given how much was on the line, the visitors’ sluggish opening was peculiar. It took them 27 minutes to muster a shot on target – and even then Brennan Johnson’s was weak in the extreme.
That sparked their best attempt as Destiny Udogie’s pass was perfect for James Maddison, who sidefooted narrowly past the near post.
It was a costly miss as on 42 minutes Fulham went ahead. Antonee Robinson’s speed left the Spurs defence for dead. His cross was even better, picking out Muniz who fired home. One imagined Postecoglou read the riot act at the changeover but whatever the Aussie said fell on deaf ears. Five minutes after the restart the Spurs rearguard was breached again.
A sweeping move from left to right sent Timothy Castagne clear and he centred for Lukic’s kneecap to flick in.
The points were sealed as Muniz scrambled in. He was injured in the process but a standing ovation as he hobbled off must have eased the pain.