Premier League: Son & Maddison send Spurs back top - reaction

Garth Crooks' team of the week has just gone up. Want to find out if any players from tonight's game made the cut? Head here.

Tottenham have scored in each of their last 21 games in the Premier League, scoring 44 goals in that run.

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SMS Message: This concept of "what if spurs had key players out?" is laughable. We just lost one of the best strikers this league has ever seen (anyone denying that is just kidding themselves) and we've already got an injury list as long as my arm (everyone seems to forget how crucial Bentancur was when he was fit - he's phenomenal). And we have a new manager and new system, and a plethora of new players. The turnaround is astounding. Bitter rivals, everywhere. from Joe, London

This concept of "what if spurs had key players out?" is laughable. We just lost one of the best strikers this league has ever seen (anyone denying that is just kidding themselves) and we've already got an injury list as long as my arm (everyone seems to forget how crucial Bentancur was when he was fit - he's phenomenal). And we have a new manager and new system, and a plethora of new players. The turnaround is astounding. Bitter rivals, everywhere.

I was wondering why Ange Postecoglou was wandering around the pitch at full time looking like someone who had had his coat nicked at the pub and it is clear post match he wasn't happy with the second-half performance.

He knows putting that right will be the difference between Spurs maintaining their challenge, or it dropping off.

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Tottenham midfielder James Maddison, speaking to BBC Sport: "It all stems from hard work on the training pitch. We are getting success on the pitch for putting in the work to the manager's philosophy."

On relationship with Son Heung-min: "We have a brilliant relationship. Sonny was a player I loved for years and years watching and now it is an absolute pleasure to play with him. He is a world class player, I don't throw that around a lot. We like to link up, we work a lot on training and we are starting to understand each other's runs.

"The fans can get carried away, we want that! It is what it is about for them, but it is about us not doing that. If you think of long term goals you can get carried away.

"We want the fans to dream, but we will stay focused day by day."

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou speaking to Sky Sports: "It was a good result. Fulham are a tough team to break down but we handled it quite well in the first half. I think with the chances we had we probably should have had a second and a third goal.

"Second half wasn't great for us, we didn't play anywhere near the levels we can, it was our worst spell of possession all season, we were really wasteful. Without the ball we were still excellent. We still have plenty of work to do.

On what caused the second half drop off: "A combination of things. We got a little bit wasteful, a little bit static, we weren't moving as much as we were in the first half.

"You've always got to respect the game. I've been around long enough to know if you are slightly off it, it can bring you down pretty quickly. We didn't stay true to the style of football we want to play and we took some liberties with the game which I wasn't happy with.

On the flurry of changes towards the end: "I wasn't happy with our peformance in the second half. Of course we have a short turnaround for Friday's game too. We were mindful of having a few guys under the weather so it was about preserving energy once the game, as I thought at that stage, was done.

On finding the breakthrough through Maddison and Son: "That was outstanding tonight, I think the pressure we put on them is what won us the game. It is a lot of hard work and perserverance at times to force those breaks, which the two goals came from.

On Maddison's first home for Tottenham: "Yeah it was great to see. He was really creative for us and Madders was key to that creativity for us in that good spell in the first half.

On Sarr's injury and some suspension issues: "He has been under the weather and was lacking energy. We knew we could get 60-65 out of him and that was all we could ask. He should be fine.

On breaking a PL record for a new manager: "No I don;t take stock, ot after the second half. There is too much work to do. Pleased with the start we have had, credit to all involved. We are where we are because we deserve to be, but plenty of reminders that there is work to do."

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou, speaking to BBC Sport: "It was a good result obviously against a tough opponent. We maintained our patience, they were not going to open up too much for us. I thought our pressing was really strong.

"In the second half we were really wasteful with the ball. We gave it away too much. The postive thing our workrate was still excellent.

"[In the second half] we went a little bit away from the things 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."

On James Maddison and Son Heung-min performances: "It is great. They are both quality players. They are both leaders at the club. They press the opposition and work hard for the team and it is a credit to them."

On the influence of the fans: "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."

On becoming first new Premier League manager to take 23 points from first nine games: "People have mentioned it to me. That second 45 gave me plenty to think about!"

Tottenham goalscorer James Maddison speaking to Sky Sports: "Really happy with the performance and goal tonight. All my contributions so far had come away from home, I kept seeing stats about being good away from home, so it is nice to get off the mark here.

"Convincing performance, solid win and puts us back to the top of the table.

On taking a while for the side to grow into the game: "I think it felt a little bit disjointed. Fulham didn't really press and our defenders were able to walk high up the pitch with the ball. We expected them to press a little bit higher.

"I started dropping deeper and getting involved in the build up, and we then started to get a little bit more success that way. The gaffer likes freedom so he is happy for me to do that on the pitch and rotate with the full backs, as long as there is a structure and there is personnel in the right areas, whoever that is.

On his goal: "I was just trying to stay onside, I had checked and knew Bassey was deep so I didn't need to hold on to wait to be behind Ream, I knew I had a few more yards. After that it was about staying cool and passing in from close range.

What went through his head in that moment: "To be honest I was just thinking about the type of finish I needed to use. I wasn't sure whether to go with the left foot and I didn't want to let the keeper get too close or tackled from the inside if I took too long."

Fulham boss Marco Silva, speaking to BBC Sport: "We matched them in some moments of the game. We were punished by some mistakes we made.

"We had some dangerous moments in the counter and we should have punished them in this moments.

"We encourage our players to build from the back it is our way and it can happen [mistake leading to a goal]. We have to understand the moments of course.

"After the second goal we had enough chances to make it 2-1 and go at them again but unfortunately we didn't score.

"I hope the goals will come but the good thing we have been creating more in recent games. The way we created against Tottenham is a good sign."

Only eight sides in Premier League history have started a campaign with more than 23 points from their first nine games, with four of them going on to win the title, three ending second and one ending third.

Looking good for Tottenham...

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Fulham captain Tim Ream speaking to Sky Sports: "I thought in some moments we did some good things, got into their box quite a few times. At the end of the day the goals we give away are identical. Players at this level will punish you if you give the ball away in those areas.

"In the first half we sat off them a little bit too much. In the second half we ramped the pressure up a bit but in the end we come away with nothing.

On what went wrong for the Tottenham goals: "It's hard to say. Calvin [Bassey] has a tough job playing on the right side as a left footer, not a position he is used to but we have worked on it all week.These things happen. It is up to all of us to rectify.

"Overall it was very disciplined from us, which was something we spoke about going into the game. Maybe unfortunate to not score one or two and then we are talking about a different result.

On adapting to defensive injury issues: "it's difficult btu it is not an excuse. We chop and change in training, play alongside each and every person and work on that each day. We showed that in some moments tonight but probably not enough.

On what to take forward: "It is a tough run, we knew that before we came back from the break. It is something we are prepared for. Tough night tonight but we come back in tomorrow and focus on Sunday."

Since Tottenham Hotspur Stadium opened in April 2019, Son Heung-min has netted 50 goals at the ground in all competitions, with only Mohamed Salah (65 at Anfield) and Harry Kane (62 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium) netting more among Premier League players at a single venue.

SMS Message: Imagine the scenario: Kane finally leaves Spurs and they end up winning the title this year. Long way to go though!! from Nick

Imagine the scenario: Kane finally leaves Spurs and they end up winning the title this year. Long way to go though!!

SMS Message: It’s just fashionable to knock spurs. Pleased for them after the dross the last 2 managers put them through. from Jay, Sussex

It’s just fashionable to knock spurs. Pleased for them after the dross the last 2 managers put them through.

Since his Premier League debut in August 2018, James Maddison has chalked up 83 goal involvements in the competition (46 goals, 37 assists), with Kevin De Bruyne the only midfielder with more in that time (101).

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SMS Message: Serious lack of respect for Spurs performances this season. Hint of jealousy from other fans maybe? from Anon

Serious lack of respect for Spurs performances this season. Hint of jealousy from other fans maybe?

SMS Message: What a bitter man Alan (22:01) is. Take the two best players out of any side and see what effect it has! from Neil

What a bitter man Alan (22:01) is. Take the two best players out of any side and see what effect it has!

SMS Message: ‘Take x players out and their ordinary’ is such a stupid argument - take Messi out of Barcelona and they’d have won nout as well from Steve, Essex Spurs fan

‘Take x players out and their ordinary’ is such a stupid argument - take Messi out of Barcelona and they’d have won nout as well

Quite enjoying watching James Maddison walking around the pitch applauding the fans while singing along to Islands in the Stream.

A man of the match performance from Maddison tonight. A player that seems made for this Tottenham team.

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SMS Message: Take Son and Maddison out of this Spurs team and they are decidedly ordinary. Incredibly lucky against us (Liverpool) and a lucky draw at Arsenal. The league never lies it is said. Well it does this season. from Alan

Take Son and Maddison out of this Spurs team and they are decidedly ordinary. Incredibly lucky against us (Liverpool) and a lucky draw at Arsenal. The league never lies it is said. Well it does this season.

P: Maddison was available for sale and Manchester United picked Mason Mount? It must be a curse or something is entirely wrong with the team and players selection

Rachel: I think Fulham are rather lucky that there are at least three teams worse than they are so they should be pretty safe. Need to get a striker in January. (But then again so do a lot of teams)