Tottenham make early Carabao Cup exit after loss to Fulham

It’s not often that Postecoglou can be accused of hubris, but it’s difficult not to see Tottenham's second round exit from the Carabao Cup on Tuesday as anything other than an exercise in overconfidence that cost the club yet another shot at a trophy

Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min, right, and Dejan Kulusevski applaud at the end of a Carabao Cup match between Fulham and Tottenham at Craven Cottage in London on Tuesday. [AFP/YONHAP]

It’s not often that down-to-earth Ange Postecoglou can be accused of hubris, but it’s difficult not to see Tottenham Hotspur’s second round exit from the Carabao Cup on Tuesday as anything other than an exercise in overconfidence that has knocked the north London club out of the running for yet another trophy with the season having only just started.

Tottenham lost 5-3 on penalties to Fulham at Craven Cottage in London on Tuesday, crashing out of the cup after a lackluster performance that saw Postecoglou make nine changes from his most recent Premier League side.

Such a dramatic shift is common in the early rounds of the Carabao Cup, but generally when a top-tier club finds themselves facing somebody like League Two MK Dons or League One Derby County. To take the same approach against a fellow Premier League club was inviting trouble, and that’s exactly what Postecoglou got.

With regular captain Son Heung-min on the bench alongside James Maddison, Yves Bissouma, Pape Matar Sarr and Dejan Kulusevski, Fulham did not waste any time seizing control of the game. While Spurs were sluggish and uncoordinated — hardly surprising considering that many of the players haven’t had a game yet this season — Fulham were confident and fast on the attack.

The home side took an early lead in the 19th minute when Spurs center-back Micky van de Ven — one of the few regular starters in the squad — deflected a Tom Cairney cross into the back of his own net. Richarlison got an equalizer in the 56th minute, but left 15 minutes later with an ankle injury.

Postecoglou eventually saw the writing on the wall, bringing on Son in the 71st minute, Kulusevski and Sarr in the 72nd and Maddison in the 82nd, but it was too little and far too late.

The game went straight to a penalty shootout — there is no extra time in the Carabao Cup until the semifinals — with Son, Kulusevski and Maddison all converting. Davinson Sanchez was the only Spurs player to miss, but with every single Fulham player making their shot that ended up being all that mattered.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou reacts during a Carabao Cup game between Fulham and Tottenham at Craven Cottage in London on Tuesday. [REUTERS/YONHAP]

Speaking after the game, Postecoglou blamed a lack of cohesion and experience for the result.

“Obviously disappointed with the outcome, getting knocked out of the cup,” Postecoglou said after the game. "We weren't at our fluent best particularly early on which was not surprising considering the amount of changes I made. A lot of the boys tonight, it was their first start of the season.

“We lacked cohesion and fluency. But I really liked the way we hung in there. There are many different ways to grow as a team and we showed some real character tonight. To hang in there and we had our moments in the second half to maybe go and win it. We weren't able to get over the line and lost on penalties.”

But the Australian manager maintained that he had no choice but to field a weaker team at that stage of the competition.

“There is no European football so how am I going to find out about our players? What opportunity would I have to do that other than the game? They are all part of our club. We thought they'd be able to bring a different energy tonight, and that doesn't mean the cup or any game isn't our priority.

“From my perspective, we're very much at the discovery stage so we need to find out and give the players the opportunity to contribute. Because that's why they're here - they're not just here to make up the numbers. They keep working hard and deserved the opportunity to go out and play tonight.”

With no European football for Spurs this season, Tuesday’s loss takes the north London club down to just two competitions left this season: The Premier League and the FA Cup. Tottenham last won the FA Cup in 1991 and has never won the Premier League, last winning its predecessor The Football League in 1961.

Tottenham will be back in action in the Premier League Saturday as they take on Burnley on the road at Turf Moor in Burnley, England.

BY JIM BULLEY [jim.bulley@joongang.co.kr]