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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Dan Kilpatrick

Tottenham player ratings vs Fulham: James Maddison outstanding as defensive duo excel

Tottenham moved two points clear at the top of the table after a commanding 2-0 win over Fulham, inspired by James Maddison.

Spurs' goals either side of half-time both came after Fulham centre-half Calvin Bassey had lost possession, with Heung-min Son curling home a fine opener and Maddison doubling the lead with a cool finish from the Korean's pass.

Here's how we rated the Spurs players...

Guglielmo Vicario 8

Denied Joao Palhinha with a magnificent one-handed save and made a late stop from Raul Jimenez in another commanding display. If he has a weakness perhaps it is heading, after sending one straight to Willian.

Pedro Porro 8

Composed defensively, great on the ball and got forward well.

Cristian Romero 9

His one-man counter-attack and disguised pass for Kulusevski was one of the game's best pieces of play and he was outstanding defensively.

Micky van de Ven 9

Swept up at the back with a blend of pace and poise, and stepped out of the back four well. Won the ball with a simple interception for Son's goal and nearly scored himself with a volley.

Destiny Udogie 8

Frequently popped up at No10 and left wing, and was involved in one of the games best moves when Son flicked the ball into his path. He should have shot sooner.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg 8

Impressed on his first Premier League start under Ange Postecoglou, spreading the ball with some nice passes and winning the ball for Maddison's goal.

Pape Matar Sarr 7

Forced off through injury moments after racing back to make a brilliant clearing header, exemplifying his energy on the night.

James Maddison 9

Took his goal coolly to cap an outstanding all-round performance. He was at the centre of everything for Spurs, running the game in possession and pressing tirelessly off the ball.

Dejan Kulusevski 7

Should have done better from a couple of glorious chances in the first half (use your right foot!). Led a fine breakaway to set up a great chance for Richarlison and was involved in some great moves down the right.

Richarlison 8

His quick thinking made Son's goal and he was full of inventive, dangerous balls from the left wing. But he dragged a shot wide of the near post at 0-0 and blazed another chance over at the start of the second half.

Heung-min Son 9

His goal was a brilliant trademark finish after he had engineered a yard of space on the edge of the box and he made the right decision to set up the second for Maddison. Should have scored inside two minutes but Leno blocked with his shin.

Heung-min Son netted the opening goal for Spurs (REUTERS)

Substitutes

Emerson Royal (Udogie 55') 6

Raced back to make an important late block. Overplayed a bit going forward.

Oliver Skipp (Sarr 61') 7

Pressed well in an energetic cameo from the bench.

Brennan Johnson (Richarlison 81') 6

His pace was a threat as the game became stretched in the final nine minutes plus stoppages.

Giovani Lo Celso (Son 81') 7

Got around the pitch and made an important late block, as well as a driving run forward on the counter.

Alejo Veliz (Maddison 81') 6

The Argentine put himself about in another good cameo.

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