Leon Osman can’t believe what Xavi Simons did in Tottenham defeat to Fulham
Leon Osman has criticised Xavi Simons for his part in Fulham’s opening goal against Tottenham on Sunday afternoon.
Spurs lost 2-1 to Marco Silva’s side at Craven Cottage as their dismal Premier League form continued.
Harry Wilson fired Fulham into an early lead, with Alex Iwobi doubling the hosts’ advantage just past the half-hour mark.
Richarlison headed home to give Tottenham hope midway through the second half, but Igor Tudor’s side were unable to find an equaliser.
Tottenham in dissaray for Harry Wilson goal
After a 4-1 North London derby defeat to Arsenal in his first game as Spurs boss, Tudor would’ve been desperate to get off to a good start at Craven Cottage.
However, with just seven minutes on the clock, Wilson slammed a volley past Vicario from little more than six yards out.
Tottenham failed to clear a cross into the box, with Oscar Bobb knocking the ball back across goal and Wilson making no mistake with the finish.
Speaking on BBC Match of the Day, Osman was left shocked at Simons’ positioning for the opening goal, with the Dutchman popping up on the right wing and leaving Kenny Tete acres of space.
Tete was allowed to get his cross in, which eventually led to Wilson smashing home to give Fulham the lead.
Osman said: “Xavi Simons started on the left of midfield. Seven minutes in, for some reason, he’s so far out of position. Spurs don’t adjust, Kenny Tete gets all the time in the world to pick out a pass and a ball forward. Fulham and Harry Wilson (take advantage).”
Should Fulham’s opener have been disallowed?
As Tete curled the ball into the box, Raul Jimenez seemed to push Radu Dragusin in the back, preventing him from making a clearing header.
There was a VAR check on the goal, but the officials eventually determined that Jimenez had not committed a foul.
Tudor was left fuming on the sidelines, especially as Randal Kolo Muani’s second goal against Arsenal had been ruled out for a similar offence just a week earlier.
Spurs can have very few complaints with the final outcome of the game, as they were dominated by Fulham for large spells, but the inconsistency with decision-making is clear for all to see.
Given Kolo Muani’s goal against Arsenal was disallowed, then there is no doubt that Wilson’s finish should’ve been chalked off.
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