Fulham 3-0 Tottenham: Ange Postecoglou’s Champions League ambitions are dealt a huge blow as Rodrigo Munez’s brace fires hosts to stunning win at Craven Cottage

In-form Fulham striker Rodrigo Muniz scored twice as sorry Spurs missed out on the chance to climb into the top four.

Marco Silva’s side, who knocked Tottenham out of the Carabao Cup earlier this season, were dominant from the opening whistle and deserved the lead given to them by Muniz after 42 minutes.

Sasa Lukic scored his first goal for the club shortly after the restart and Muniz took his tally to seven goals in seven games to finish off the job, though he was then taken off after hurting himself in scoring.

Spurs had won their previous seven league games at Craven Cottage but Ange Postecoglou must be worried that just a week after thrashing European rivals Aston Villa 4-0, his players were so sluggish.

For the manager to make a triple change midway through the second half with the game gone told its own story.

Rodrigo Munez scored twice as Fulham thrashed Tottenham 3-0 at Craven Cottage

Ange Postecoglou’s Champions League ambitions were dealt a huge blow int he defeat

For Muniz, his scoring spree justified Chelsea loanee Armando Broja being left out again – even though Fulham now have to pay the Stamford Bridge club £4million because of the Albanian’s lack of appearances.

Fulham started with a bang as Spurs missed their defensive rock Micky van de Ven because of a hamstring injury.

Muniz had a shot blocked, Andreas Pereira’s shot deflected over and the same player – called up by Brazil for next weekend’s friendly against England – was denied by another heroic interception from Cristian Romero.

Spurs were being out-Spursed by Fulham’s energy and needed Vicario to save from Willian.

Tottenham’s only respite was a weak shot by Brennan Johnson straight at Bernd Leno and James Maddison and Son Heung-Ming missing the target.

Fulham finally took the lead they deserved approaching half-time. Pereira was again involved, finding space to release buccaneering full-back Antonee Robinson.

The American’s low cross was buried in the box by a confident Muniz.

Spurs had a group huddle before the start of the second half while Postecoglou looked sternly on from the sidelines.

However, Fulham went further ahead within five minutes of the restart.

Alex Iwobi played in Timothy Castagne on the overlap. From his cross into the box, Lukic stretched and turned away in delight as the ball diverted off his left knee past Vicario in a flash.

His debut goal came on his 34th appearance for the club he signed for at the start of last year.

It was no surprise Fulham then added a third on the hour. Vicario had already saved from Castagne when his parry from Calvin Bassey landed kindly for Muniz who reacted quicker than Dragosin to proud home the rebound.

The striker looked in pain as he celebrated and was taken off shortly afterwards to a standing ovation and chants of “Moo-niz” from around the stadium.

Postecuglou had seen enough and took off Maddison, Yves Bissouma and Papa Sarr, introducing Timo Werner, Rodrigo Bentancur and Pierre-Emile Hjobjerg in their place.

There was an uptick in the visitor’s game with Werner forcing Leno into a fingertip save at his near post and Bentancur then testing the goalkeeper. Richarlison, who had missed the last three games with a knee injury, came on for the final 10 minutes. 

By the end, even captain Son had been hooked. Radu Dragosin, in his first Premier League start as a replacement for van de Ven, did last 90 minutes in what was a baptism of fire for the Romanian. In a season of highs for Postecoglou, this was a definite low.