Fulhams match against Tottenham ended with a thrilling stoppage-time winner from Tottenham’s Harry Winks. The lead-up to the match provided an interesting tactical question. How would Tottenham cope without their top three goal scorers in Harry Kane, Son Heung-min, and Lucas Moura? Using statistics and tactical analysis we will answer this question.
Lineups
Both teams lined up in similar back-three formations with wing-backs and three attackers high up the field. Within the formation, each team’s style of play came out. Tottenham used fluid interchanging play with the midfielders, while Fulham were more structured in their positioning.
No Kane, Son, or Moura
Entering gameweek 23, Kane, Son, and Moura had combined for 28 goals. The trio accounted for 58% of all of Tottenham’s Premier League goals this season. The 28 goals are more than 10 entire Premier League teams had scored through 22 games. Fulham came into the match only scoring 20 goals all season. That is an immense amount of firepower to be without.
Mauricio Pochettino elected to go with Fernando Llorente up top with Erik Lamela on the right, Dele Alli on the left, with ex-Ajax schemer Christian Eriksen and Harry Winks underneath. Harry Winks sat deeper than Eriksen in the middle.
Attacking down the left
The Tottenham attacking tactic was primarily down the left-hand side of the pitch. They continuously overloaded the left side with Danny Rose pushed high, Jan Vertonghen underneath and Dele Alli inside. They were making a clear intention to isolate Fulham’s Denis Odoi and Cyrus Christie.
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