Ange Postecoglou has slammed his Tottenham team for being ‘wasteful with the ball’ and ‘taking liberties’ despite extending their unbeaten Premier League run with a 2-0 victory against Fulham on Monday night.
Son Heung-min opened the scoring after 36 minutes, mazing his way around the Fulham defence before blasting the ball into the back of the net. James Maddison followed up to claim his fourth Premier League goal of the season, and continue his fine run of form.
Despite having now given themselves a two-point buffer on Manchester City at the top of the league standings, while also extending their unbeaten streak to nine games without a loss, the Australian boss delivered a fiery response after the match.
‘It was a good result obviously against a tough opponent,’ he told BBC Sport.
‘We maintained our patience, they were not going to open up too much for us. I thought our pressing was really strong.
Ange Postecoglou claimed Tottenham’s second-half performance vs Fulham was their ‘worst’ so far this season, despite getting over the line to return to the top of the league table
His side are now unbeaten in nine Premier League matches after securing a 2-0 win on Monday
James Maddison was the star, scoring his fourth goal for his new club to help Spurs to victory
‘In the second half we were really wasteful with the ball. We gave it away too much. The positive thing our work-rate was still excellent.
‘We went a little bit away from the things in the second half, we had been doing all year. We were taking some liberties with possession and that can allow them back into the game.
‘Both our goals game from our press to be honest. Our work off the ball was excellent. It has been first rate all year and that is what got us the result.’
Adding in his post-match interview with Sky Sports, he said: ‘Second half wasn’t great for us, we didn’t play anywhere near the levels that we can with the ball.
Son Heung-min (right) got the opener with an excellent piece of individual play before celebrating alongside Maddison after teeing him up for Tottenham’s second goal of the night
‘Without the ball we were still excellent in terms of our pressing but with the ball we were just really, really wasteful.
‘I think I said before the game that we’ve been really consistent this year but that’s probably the worst 45 minutes with the ball we’ve had all year.’
Despite that, Tottenham now sit two points clear of Man City at the top of the Premier League table having not lost a match at the start of the season.
They are next in action against Crystal Palace on Friday night.
And while Postecoglou is aware of how good his side have been so far, he still believes that there is plenty of room for improvement.
The Australian is the first new manager to take 23 points from their opening nine games, a record that gives evidence to Spurs’ excellent recent form, but when asked about the stat, he said: ‘People have mentioned it to me. That second 45 gave me plenty to think about!’
Speaking on the influence of the fans at the London Stadium on Monday, he added: ‘It is important. They are the most crucial part of this club, they have been behind us from the first game and we need them. They are a big part of the process and credit to the lads they sent them home happy tonight.’
Tottenham will be hoping to continue their winning run of form as they take on another London rival in Crystal Palace on Friday night.
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