Cairney scores off bench, then despatched off as 10-man Fulham draw at Spurs

There was a chaotic 20-minute cameo for Fulham captain Tom Cairney who got here off the bench to rescue a degree for Fulham on the highway in opposition to Tottenham earlier than being despatched off.

Brennan Johnson and Cairney have been each on the right track because the 10-man Cottagers earned a 1-1 draw on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday.

After a goalless first half, Spurs took the lead in opposition to the run of play at the beginning of the second interval, however Cairney got here off the bench to cancel out Johnson’s trendy end with a lovely strike of his personal.

The primary half was all concerning the goalkeepers, who each made large saves. Bernd Leno denied Heung-min Son from point-blank vary within the second minute, earlier than Fraser Forster reacted excellently to disclaim Raul Jimenez an opener.

Fulham have been those who continued to ask the query within the opening 45 minutes, and following Forster’s heroics, Alex Iwobi crashed the ball off the underside of the bar minutes earlier than half-time.

Forster was referred to as into motion a few occasions early within the second half to disclaim Issa Diop and Iwobi, and the guests would rue the missed alternatives as Spurs swiftly took the lead.

Timo Werner clipped in a wonderful cross for Johnson – who had been very quiet within the opening interval – to blast in with a volley on the again put up to interrupt the impasse along with his sixth purpose of the season.

However Fulham weren’t behind for lengthy as membership captain Cairney got here off the bench to equalise with a surprising first-time strike simply 5 minutes after his introduction.

Cairney’s afternoon shortly got here to an finish, although, when he was despatched off after catching the again of fellow substitute Dejan Kulusevski’s leg along with his studs.

However regardless of having the participant benefit, Spurs couldn’t capitalise within the last quarter-hour of motion as Fulham held on for the purpose.

After an absolute whitewashing of four-time champions Manchester Metropolis final week, Spurs have been unable to observe up their beautiful 4-0 win on the Etihad Stadium as they did not win at dwelling once more.

Fulham might need been right down to 10 gamers, however they did greater than sufficient to win the sport and can most likely really feel as if they need to have with the possibilities that they had.

It isn’t typically a crew with a numerical drawback come away from the match feeling as if they deserved greater than a draw, however on the finish of the day, it’s a beneficial level on the highway.

As for Spurs, they might have damaged the win-lose cycle to realize their first Premier League draw for the reason that opening recreation of the season in opposition to Leicester Metropolis, however their ranges dropped once more compared to final week’s effort which is not going to be ok if they’re to problem for a top-four spot.

The previous Arsenal ahead delivered one other inspiring show in opposition to his previous rivals and bought a lot pleasure on the left-hand aspect, which he continued to threaten till he discovered Cairney for Fulham’s opener.

Iwobi got here agonisingly near breaking the impasse himself within the first half when his effort crashed off the underside of the bar, however he continued to drop good balls within the field for his team-mates, who couldn’t convert.

Tottenham: Forster 7, Porro 7, Dragusin 7, Davies 7, Udogie 6, Sarr 7, Bissouma 6, Maddison 6, Johnson 7, Son 6, Werner 7

Subs: Grey N/A, Kulusevski 5, Bergvall N/A, Lankshear N/A

Fulham: Leno 7, Tete 8, Diop 7, Bassey 6, Robinson 7, Berge 7, Lukic 6, Iwobi 8, Smith Rowe 6, Nelson 7, Jimenez 6

Subs: Castagne N/A, Sessegnon N/A, Cairney 6, Wilson 6, Adama, Muniz 5

2’ – HUGE CHANCE FOR SPURS! Son is denied an early opener! There is a mix-up on the again and Werner capitalises on a sloppy go and performs in Son, who forces a large save out of Leno!

17’ – JIMENEZ MUST DO BETTER! Iwobi floats in an inviting ball from the left and Jimenez is free within the field, however he does not actually know what to do with it and simply stabs the ball at Forster. Fulham may, and will, be forward!

36’ – WHAT A SAVE! No Vicario, no drawback! Jimenez will get on the top of a cross from the fitting and is free as a chook within the field as he diverts a volley to the underside proper nook, however Forster reacts excellently to disclaim him.

38’ – LENO TIPS OVER! It is all concerning the goalkeepers on this opening half. Dragusin sends a robust header in the direction of purpose however the former Arsenal goalie turns it over.

42’ – OFF THE BAR! Fulham fly ahead and Nelson slips in Iwobi on the fitting, who slams the ball in opposition to the underside of the crossbar. A stunning, flowing transfer from the guests who come shut once more!

49’ – FULHAM COME CLOSE! Nelson whips in a supply from the fitting to Diop on the again put up, who sends a header downwards and proper at Forster’s ft. He ought to have gone again throughout purpose actually, and one other huge Fulham probability goes begging.

52’ – ANOTHER CRUCIAL STOP FROM FORSTER! Spurs’ back-up goalkeeper has been busy at the moment! Nelson exhibits wonderful ability to deliver the ball down on his again, skip previous Porro and discover Iwobi on the again put up, who strikes straight at Forster.

54′ – GOAL!!! – TOTTENHAM 1-0 FULHAM (JOHNSON): Spurs take the lead in opposition to the run of play! Werner crosses from the left to Johnson on the again put up – who has been very quiet to far – who lashes dwelling a superb volley.

65’ – GOAL!!! – TOTTENHAM 1-1 FULHAM (CAIRNEY): Fulham lastly get their purpose and it is the substitute Cairney! Robinson finds Iwobi in somewhat pocket down the left, who lays the ball off to Cairney simply contained in the field to fireside previous Forster with a candy first-time strike.

81’ – CAIRNEY CATCHES KULUSEVSKI – And VAR will take a look at this… He challenges the Swede from behind and catches his Achilles along with his studs.

84’ – FULHAM RED CARD! Cairney has been despatched off after a VAR verify – he is solely been on the pitch for 20 minutes and he should now hand the armband again to Robinson.

90’+1 – FULHAM COME CLOSE TO WINNING IT! Udogie loses possession to Wilson on the fitting, who beats Davies and fizzes a ball throughout purpose however there isn’t a one there in a black and purple shirt as Dragusin hooks the ball away.

• Tom Cairney has scored away from dwelling within the Premier League for the primary time since March 2010, with this being the longest ever hole between a participant scoring in away matches within the competitors (14 years and 269 days).
• Brennan Johnson is considered one of solely two Premier League gamers to attain 10+ non-penalty objectives throughout all competitions this season, together with Erling Haaland (15)