Fulham captain Tom Cairney scored and was sent off as Marco Silva's 10 men held Tottenham Hotspur to a 1-1 Premier League London derby draw at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The 33-year-old came off the bench to salvage a warranted point for the Cottagers after Brennan Johnson's 10th of the season put Ange Postecoglou's team ahead, and Tottenham failed to make the most of their numerical advantage after Cairney was dismissed in the dying embers.
An already-depleted Tottenham side suffered another damaging blow before Sunday's derby, as an under-the-weather Dominic Solanke was sent home by Postecoglou, whose side were far from sensational in the opening period.
In one of the more entertaining goalless first halves the Premier League has seen this season, Spurs were indebted to stand-in goalkeeper Fraser Forster for keeping the Cottagers - and especially Raul Jimenez - at bay, although Bernd Leno had to be called into action a couple of times too.
The woodwork was also struck at both ends in an end-to-end first 45, where Fulham's missed gilt-edged chances did indeed prove fatal, as Johnson prodded Spurs in front inside the opening 10 minutes of the second half.
However, the visitors' pressure eventually told when substitute Cairney lashed in a brilliant leveller, although there was an air of controversy about the midfielder's goal, as the player he replaced - Sasa Lukic - was arguably fortunate not to have been sent off for a second bookable offence just before being withdrawn.
The red card would eventually be brandished for none other than Cairney inside the final 10 minutes for a terrible tackle on Dejan Kulusevski, but Spurs had no answer to their 10-man visitors' rearguard resolve in the short time that remained.
A first Premier League home draw in 27 games for Tottenham means that they remain seventh in the Premier League standings, while Fulham - who have now gone unbeaten in eight successive top-flight London derbies for the first time ever - sit 10th, still just one point below Postecoglou's inconsistent troops.
TOTTENHAM VS. FULHAM HIGHLIGHTS
Brennan Johnson goal vs. Fulham (54th min, Tottenham 1-0 Fulham)
© Imago
Undeserved? Perhaps, but Fulham have learned the hard way what happens if you fail to make your chances count at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Timo Werner faces up to Kenny Tete in the left-hand side of the box and sends a delicate inswinging delivery to the back post, where Johnson has all the space and time on the pitch to execute a side-footed volley to perfection.
The Welshman is now on double figures for the season!
Tom Cairney goal vs. Tottenham (67th min, Tottenham 1-1 Fulham)
Better late than never, and it is no less than Fulham deserve this afternoon!
Barely five minutes after coming on as a substitute, Cairney sparks bedlam in the away end with an exquisite left-footed strike into the far side of the net after being teed up by Alex Iwobi.
Absolutely nothing the formerly impenetrable Forster could do about that one; Cairney is unlikely to strike a sweeter ball all season long.
Tom Cairney red card vs. Tottenham (84th min, Tottenham 1-1 Fulham)
© Imago
The dictionary definition of hero to zero!
Cairney is initially given just a yellow card after his studs rake down the back of Kulusevski's leg, but referee Darren Bond upgrades his punishment and sends the Fulham captain for an early bath after checking the pitchside monitor.
Some Spurs fans will no doubt claim poetic justice after Lukic escaped the same punishment earlier in the contest.
MAN OF THE MATCH - FRASER FORSTER
© Imago
After making a terrific last-minute save against Roma in midweek, Forster came up clutch once again when Tottenham needed him most, making five saves in total and somehow denying Jimenez what looked a certain goal in the first half.
Whether Spurs are planning to enter the transfer market for a Vicario replacement in January only Postecoglou and co know, but Forster could hardly be doing more to prove that he deserves the number one spot for the next few months.
TOTTENHAM VS. FULHAM MATCH STATS
Possession: Tottenham 50%-50% Fulham
Shots: Tottenham 8-14 Fulham
Shots on target: Tottenham 3-6 Fulham
Corners: Tottenham 7-11 Fulham
Fouls: Tottenham 4-14 Fulham
BEST STATS
10 - Brennan Johnson is one of only two Premier League players to score 10+ non-penalty goals across all competitions this season, along with Erling Haaland (15). Company. pic.twitter.com/7QkPGPWt33
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 1, 2024
14 - Tom Cairney has scored away from home in the Premier League for the first time since March 2010, with this being the longest ever gap between a player scoring in away matches in the competition (14 years and 269 days). Patience. pic.twitter.com/iGdYMEX9OJ
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 1, 2024
WHAT NEXT?
Thursday night football has been a regular occurrence for Europa League competitors Tottenham this season, but they now have a domestic midweek matter to attend to, travelling to Bournemouth on December 5.
On the same evening, Fulham - who have now scored in 12 top-flight games in a row - return to Craven Cottage with a home clash against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Ben Knapton
