Tottenham’s Relegation Worries Intensified after a 2-1 Defeat away to Fulham Matched their Longest Winless Streak in the Premier League

A late push from Spurs substitute Richarlison briefly raised hopes of a comeback, but first-half goals from Harry Wilson and Alex Iwobi ultimately proved decisive. The result means Tottenham are now without a victory in 10 league matches. They remain winless in 2026, have lost four consecutive top-flight games and sit 16th in the table — just four points above the drop zone with 10 fixtures left to play.

The defeat in west London further highlighted the size of the rebuilding task facing new head coach Igor Tudor. The Croatian has begun his tenure with back-to-back losses, becoming only the second Spurs manager to lose his first two matches in charge. With confidence fragile and results deteriorating, the pressure is already mounting.

Fulham, meanwhile, continue to move in the opposite direction under Marco Silva. Consecutive victories have lifted the Cottagers to ninth place and strengthened their push for a potential European qualification spot. In truth, the hosts could have secured a more comfortable win, as Emile Smith Rowe missed two clear second-half chances before Tottenham threatened a late equaliser.

Tudor deployed a 4-4-2 system, but Fulham quickly exploited Spurs’ defensive vulnerabilities. Wilson opened the scoring in the seventh minute after Tottenham failed to deal convincingly with pressure inside their own area. Spurs felt Radu Dragusin had been pushed by Raul Jimenez in the build-up, yet VAR concluded the contact did not meet the threshold for a foul.

Tottenham endured a difficult first half and failed to register a single shot on target before the interval. Fulham doubled their advantage in the 34th minute through a superb strike from Iwobi, who drove the ball from distance into the far corner off the post. The goal capped a dominant opening period from the home side and left Spurs chasing the game.

Changes after the break brought renewed energy. Substitutes Mathys Tel and Richarlison made an immediate impact, with Tel involved in the move that allowed Archie Gray to deliver a cross for Richarlison to head home in the 66th minute. The goal sparked a tense finish, but Fulham managed the closing stages well to secure all three points.

Tottenham’s broader form paints a worrying picture. They have won just two of their last 19 Premier League matches, a run that has dragged them into a genuine relegation battle. With limited time remaining, Tudor must quickly find the right balance between attacking quality and defensive solidity if Spurs are to steady their season.

Tudor: Team must improve across the pitch

After the match, Tudor acknowledged the complexity of the situation and admitted improvements are required in multiple areas. He stressed the need for greater personality, urgency and responsibility from his players, particularly during challenging moments.

The Spurs boss pointed to shortcomings in attack, midfield intensity and defensive resilience. He suggested the team is currently lacking the cutting edge to convert chances, the energy to dominate central areas and the composure to withstand pressure at the back. According to Tudor, the side must rediscover its competitive edge, especially in duels and transitional moments.

He also referenced the difficulty of selecting the right combination of players amid injuries and inconsistent form. Striking a balance between offensive quality and defensive work rate, he indicated, remains one of his biggest challenges. Against Fulham, he felt his side were consistently second-best — not only physically but also mentally — arriving late to key situations and reacting rather than anticipating.

Silva: Performance deserved bigger margin

Silva, in contrast, expressed satisfaction with his team’s display while admitting the scoreline could have been more emphatic. He believed Fulham controlled large portions of the match, particularly in the first half when they were clinical and efficient in front of goal.

The Portuguese coach noted that his side created enough clear opportunities after the interval to put the contest beyond doubt but failed to capitalise. Even so, he praised Fulham’s structure, attacking movement and ability to handle Tottenham’s physical approach, including long balls and direct runs in behind.

While Richarlison’s goal introduced late tension, Silva felt his players maintained composure and managed the game effectively in the closing stages. He described the victory as fully deserved and another positive step in Fulham’s strong campaign.

As Fulham look upward toward European ambitions, Tottenham face a far more urgent challenge. With the gap to the relegation zone narrowing and confidence in short supply, Tudor’s immediate priority will be restoring belief and resilience. If Spurs cannot quickly correct their defensive fragility and lack of cutting edge, their fears of a prolonged battle near the bottom may yet become reality.