Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi netted a superb goal on Sunday to seal Fulham’s 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in their English Premier League clash at Craven Cottage.
Iwobi struck as Spurs’ miserable 2026 continued with their winless run extended to 10 league games, while Fulham boosted their hopes of qualifying for European football.
Fulham, who scored twice in the opening six minutes in their 2-1 win over Spurs in November, again got an early goal with Harry Wilson netting in the seventh minute.
However, the goal was controversial as new Spurs boss Igor Tudor felt it should have been disallowed as home striker Raul Jimenez pushed Radu Dragusin as they challenged for a Kenny Tete cross, before Oscar Bobb picked out Wilson to volley home from six yards out.
Tottenham had a similar goal ruled out last week in their 4-1 loss to Arsenal for a foul by Randal Kolo Muani on Gunners defender Gabriel but, following a check from the video assistant referee (VAR) Craig Pawson, Fulham’s goal was allowed to stand, much to Tudor’s fury.
Spurs, though, had no excuses for the 34th-minute second goal with Iwobi left with space to shoot home superbly from 18 yards out, with the ball going in off the inside of the post after a neat exchange with Wilson.
Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey should have made it 3-0 to Fulham only to fire wastefully over from close range at the end of the first half, with Jimenez and Emile Smith Rowe also missing chances.
Spurs pulled one back in the 66th minute when substitute Richarlison headed in Archie Gray’s left-wing cross.
Tottenham have now lost both of their matches since Tudor replaced the sacked Thomas Frank, conceding six goals in the process, and last went on a 10-match winless league run in 1994 under Ossie Ardiles.
Spurs, who have been in the top flight of English football in every season since one campaign in the old Second Division in 1977-78, are now 16th, four points above the relegation zone with 10 games left.
At Old Trafford, Manchester United fought back to beat 10-man Crystal Palace and go third in the Premier League after a controversial penalty and red card decision.
Palace were on course for a third straight win at Old Trafford when Maxence Lacroix, who had opened the scoring for the visitors in the fourth minute, grabbed at Matheus Cunha in the second half.
Although the first contact was outside the penalty box, Lacroix did not let go as the Brazil forward entered the area.
Cunha then went down and, after being sent to the screen, referee Chris Kavanagh stood by his initial decision to award a penalty – and also sent Lacroix off as the United attacker would have had a goalscoring opportunity.
Bruno Fernandes fired the 57th-minute spot-kick past Dean Henderson to equalise, and Benjamin Sesko put the hosts in front eight minutes later when he powered home a header from Fernandes’ cross.
The Slovenia striker scored for the third successive game and took his tally to seven in his past eight matches.
Former United goalkeeper Henderson prevented Casemiro from increasing the hosts’ lead with a brilliant reaction save and later also stopped a dangerous effort from substitute Amad Diallo.
The result extends Michael Carrick’s record in charge to six wins and a draw from seven games and takes his side above Aston Villa into third on goal difference.
It is the first time United have been as high as third since Erik ten Hag’s first season in charge in 2023.
Palace are 14th in the table, 10 points clear of the relegation zone, and will surely target the Conference League as another piece of silverware and European qualification before boss Oliver Glasner leaves the club this summer.
At the Amex Stadium, Super Eagles defender Ola Aina started for Nottingham Forest and his international teammate Taiwo Awoniyi was a late substitute as they lost 2-1 to Brighton and remain in 17th place, just two points above the drop zone.
RESULTS
Fulham 2-1 Tottenham
Manchester United 2-1 Crystal Palace
Brighton 2-1 Nottingham Forest
