Postecoglou hails 'leaders' Son and Maddison as Tottenham move top with win over Fulham

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou reserved special praise for goalscorers Son Heung-min and James Maddison after his side secured a 2-0 win over London rivals Fulham on Monday night to return to the top of the Premier League table.

Spurs extended their unbeaten start to nine league games thanks to Son's opener and Maddison's first goal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium since his summer move from Leicester.

Tottenham leapfrogged Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool to go two points clear at the top of the table.

Fulham are the only team to beat Tottenham this season, knocking them out of the League Cup on penalties in August. But the hosts avenged that loss by recording a third successive league victory to strengthen their unexpected title challenge.

Speaking about Son and Maddison, Postecoglou said: "They are both quality players. They are both leaders at the club. They work hard for the team and it is a credit to them."

The north Londoners' superb start to Postecoglou's debut season have awoken dreams of the club's first top-flight title since Bill Nicholson's 1961 double winners.

While that ambitious target may yet prove beyond Tottenham, who haven't won a major trophy since 2008, the Australian has undoubtedly had a huge impact on a club that was in turmoil when he arrived from Celtic.

A toxic combination of Tottenham's poor results and dour displays under Antonio Conte last term, combined with Harry Kane's close-season move to Bayern Munich, left many expecting another year of turmoil.

Yet Postecoglou has astutely guided Tottenham to calmer waters, winning over doubters with his down-to-earth personality and attacking game-plan.

"It was a good result against a tough opponent. We maintained our patience and