Fulham boost their European hopes after inflicting another loss on Tottenham

Tottenham were brought back down to earth after second-half goals by substitutes Rodrigo Muniz and Ryan Sessegnon sent Fulham up to eighth in the Premier League with a 2-0 home win.

Spurs kept their hopes for the season alive with a comeback victory over AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League on Thursday to lift the pressure on Ange Postecoglou, but they could not build on that result.

A much-changed Tottenham side improved in the second half after a dull first 45 minutes and yet it was two players introduced by Marco Silva which earned Fulham a precious three points in their quest for European qualification.

Muniz broke the deadlock in the 78th minute with his ninth goal this term and former Spurs defender Sessegnon grabbed an emotional second when he curled into the top corner late on to inflict a 15th league loss of the campaign on his old club.

Postecoglou shuffled his pack after Thursday’s crucial victory with seven changes including James Maddison and Son Heung-min being benched, which meant Archie Gray made his first start for Spurs in midfield.

Fulham had the chance to boost their top-seven hopes with a win and while Andreas Pereira sent an early effort wide, a lack of urgency held back the hosts in the early exchanges.

It contributed towards a sleepy atmosphere at Craven Cottage as Spurs dictated possession, but struggled to create chances.

Tottenham’s stand-in captain Cristian Romero provided something for the home crowd to shout about when he clashed with Willian and referee Andrew Madley waved away appeals for a free-kick.

When Calvin Bassey chucked Romero to the ground not long after, it sparked big cheers from the Fulham faithful.

Yet despite an improved tempo from Silva’s side, with two Joachim Andersen shots