Marek Rodak: One can’t help feel even slightly sorry for Marek’s position, relegated to second choice goalkeeper despite holding the number one shirt and having loyally served the club for many years. However, there can be no doubting the gap between him and super Bernd Leno, despite crucially saving Davinson Sanchez’s spot-kick and that excellent stop from Manor Solomon. His lack of ability when it came to aerial duels, particularly at corners and other set pieces remains a worry for me. A good performance, but nothing to write home about. 7
Antonee Robinson: This game exemplified how far Robinson has come in the last few seasons, making many good runs driving the ball forward at a pace unmatched by anyone, he was always alert and displayed good awareness by intercepting passes which often lead to us getting chances. The only shortcoming was (and yes, we have heard this one before) his crossing, which was wayward on more than one occasion. 8
Tim Ream: Ream’s reassuring display was marked improvement when compared to his showings earlier this summer, where he looked a little rusty. However, against Tottenham he made multiple excellent blocks and his reading of the game disrupted a number of Spurs counter attacks. On top of that, he looked confident and decisive in possession – which meant the American was back to the form he showed at the start of last season 8
Issa Diop: Like his central defensive colleague, Diop’s display against Tottenham was a solid and far more assured in possession than he had in previous games, even if there was the odd loose pass. His ferocity in tackling as well as his physical strength which is no doubted aided by his slightly larger than average stature meant he was able to fend off any attacks that came his way. 8
Harrison Reed: Continuing on the thread of improved defensive players. Reed was another one who had improved a lot since his very mediocre performances in his previous appearances (in fairness to Reed, he is no Saša Luki?, and it would be unfair to compare Reed to a player of Luki?’s calibre). However, today he looked brighter, hard-working and was excellent at pressing Tottenham players as well as providing support on the wings when needed, with all this being rewarded with a goal. A good performance. 8
Joao Palhinha: What is there to say about this man that we haven’t already said? Every game I watch him play, he looks better and better. He’s able to everything you would ever want a defensive midfielder to do. But what I find most impressive is the passion he plays with, he never shies away from the tackle and has always given 100%. 9
Kenny Tete: King Kenny has impressed me even more since the start of the season. He seems able to fend off anyone, from Martinelli to Solomon, the man appears unbeatable in a one-on-one. Splitting his boot, sprinting to the dressing room to get a new pair and allowing Tottenham to equal before making amends with the winning penalty was the epitome of Fulhamish (as the club’s Twitter account acknowledged) but our Dutch right back deserved the magic moment. 9
Bobby Decordova-Reid: I must admit I was one of those people who, in the past, have dismissed Bobby Decordova-Reid. Whilst he worked head, he lacked that bit of flair that our other wide options had in abundance. But you can’t overloook his work rate and it is very obvious why he is a favourite of Silva. Bobby’s performance against Tottenham typified this: he covered an exceptional amount of game and was very unlucky not to get a goal himself, slipping as he stepped onto a lovely pass from Harry Wilson. 7
Adama Traore: Some were not particularly enthused by this signing, but I always thought it was an excellent piece of business getting him on a free. He almost scored a famous winner at Arsenal and displayed his qualities again against their north London rivals. The Spaniard was arguably our most dangerous forward in the first half, his sensational speed meant we were able to break at pace, something which we have been desperate for in the past. 7
Tom Cairney: Captain Cairney was as classy as ever. Constantly causing carnage whenever he got the ball, being able to go right through Tottenham’s defence – as he did decisively with that brilliant run for the Fulham goal. His passing remains peerless, and rather like Ream, he’s a reassuring presence in midfield. He reads the game well. 8
Rodrigo Muniz: Muniz’s appearances at the start of this season seem strange to me. The obvious choice against Tottenham seemed to be Carlos Vinicius, but the former Spurs striker seems to have slipped out of favour having finished last season so impressively. This was a good, if unremarkable performance from Muniz. He should have headed Fulham in front early on from an excellent Robinson cross but was brilliant denied by Fraser Forster towards the end of the first half. 7
Substitutes: Harry Wilson (8) stood out among the substitutes, every game he looks better and better, nimble, agile and has a lot of flair. Its easy to see why hes worked his way back into the starting 11. Luke Harris (8) Also deserves an honourable mention for an excellent first team cameo, one to watch out for in the future. Pereira (7), Francois (6), Jimenez (7) all didn’t see enough of the ball to be properly judged.
