Among the trio of disappointing outcomes for Tottenham over the past week, this latest setback is likely to be the most disheartening for Thomas Frank.

Facing another stumble at home against a team they were expected to overcome, Tottenham again let crucial Premier League points slip through their fingers. This disappointment surpasses even the four-goal thrashing at the hands of Arsenal.

After a brief glimmer of hope despite a five-goal loss to Paris Saint-Germain, losing at home to Fulham—who had only managed to secure a solitary away point this season—felt like another step backward.

Looking ahead, Tottenham faces Brentford next weekend, a team with personal significance for Frank, as he previously managed them. However, before that challenge, they must travel to Newcastle, with Frank’s leadership likely facing increased scrutiny following this defeat.

Considering recent events, Tottenham supporters were acutely aware of the critical nature of this match.

Spurs players look shellshocked after conceding two quick goals at the start of the game

Vicario was at fault for the second goal after coming miles out of his goal and keeping it in play

In his program notes, Frank expressed his determination, stating, “We are committed to delivering a performance you can relate to and support.” Yet, within the first six minutes, his team found themselves trailing by two goals.

First, a heavy slice of fortune for Fulham when Kenny Tete took aim from the edge of the penalty area and found the net via a huge deflection off Destiny Udogie which completely wrong-footed goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.

If Vicario was helpless for the first, he was culpable for the second. Racing from his goal to foil Raul Jimenez, the keeper ended up in a left back position from where he tried to play a pass down the flank.

He scuffed it to Josh King, the Fulham teenager with a quick mind and quicker feet who rolled the ball onto the left foot of Harry Wilson, and from there it was duly swerved into the open goal with sweet precision.

Spurs were shellshocked. In the stands, the mood shifted uneasily. Discontent rumbled down from the South Stand. Ironic cheers followed Vicario thereafter every time he caught a cross or kicked one clear.

On the pitch, with confidence damaged, natives restless and captain Cristian Romero serving a one-match ban for five yellow cards, Frank’s team creaked and went close to sinking further behind.

Samuel Chukwueze hit a post with a curling left footer from the edge of the box. Chukwueze, on loan from AC Milan and making his first Premier League start after a match-changing cameo as a substitute against Sunderland in the previous game, tormented Pedro Porro.

Tottenham’s formation, a 442 shape with the wide midfielders Lucas Bergvall and Mohamed Kudus tucking in behind Randal Kolo Muani and Richarlison to make it 4222, had been positively received in Paris on Wednesday, but it did not work here.

Thomas Frank watched his side take another backwards step with a disappointing home loss

Porro was badly exposed and tormented by Chukwueze, who went close again in the first half, speeding clear and dancing around Vicario only to be denied his first Fulham goal by a sensational sliding recovery tackle from Micky van de Ven.

There were times when Van de Ven, captain in Romero’s absence, seemed to be keeping the visitors at bay single-handedly. Another crucial header to beat Jimenez to a cross.

Booed off at half-time, Frank resisted the temptation to make changes, but his team returned with more urgency. 

They found a quicker tempo and got further up the pitch. 

They got Kudus and Porro onto the ball in better areas. Although Fulham will reflect on how they dropped too deep and lost impetus.

Harry Wilson caught Guglielmo Vicario off his line to double the lead in the sixth minute

Kolo Muani has improved Tottenham’s goal threat as he has recaptured his full sharpness. 

He went close with a header from a Porro cross before Kudus pulled one back, a ferocious strike from a pass by Bergvall.

Frank had three changes already lined up when the goal went in. 

He threw them on and suddenly the momentum was theirs until Marco Silva responded with changes to restore an element of control, giving Fulham fresh legs and defensive reinforcements. And, ultimately, victory.