Tottenham v Fulham player ratings: Richarlison 9, Kane 8; Mitrovic 7, Cordova-Reid 4

Spurs extend unbeaten start to Premier League season with 2-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

TOTTENHAM RATINGS: Hugo Lloris – 7. Largely a spectator for 54 minutes. He could do little to stop Mitrovic’s goal, but he pulled off a full-stretch save to deny the Serb a second finding the top corner. Reuters

Cristian Romero – 6. The Argentine returned from injury in his first game since signing permanently, and he was a stabilising influence that allowed Spurs to attack. Booked. Reuters

Eric Dier – 7 Having remained forward from a set-piece, Dier is was on hand to meet a Richarlison cross but the England international was unable to keep his effort low. AP

Clement Lenglet – 7. The Barcelona loanee was beaten on Mitrovic’s first sight of goal, but he largely settled the backline. He impressed with his delivery from the back. AFP

Emerson Royal – 6. Tested Robinson and Leno before starting the move that saw Hojbjerg find the net. AP

Rodrigo Bentancur – 6. The former Juventus man settled Tottenham’s midfield, which allowed the attacking players to apply constant pressure on the Fulham defence. Booked. Getty

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – 8. After some neat work and a one-two with Richarlison, the Dane slotted past Leno just before half-time to give Spurs the lead. EPA

Ryan Sessegnon – 8. Sessegnon looked eager to impress against his former side, and he had an excellent opportunity to score when he forced Leno to push wide of the post. Later, he was able to shake off an injury concern to create Spurs’ second with good work on the wing. Reuters

Richarlison – 9. The former Everton man added plenty of excitement to Spurs’ front three in his first start and spent much of the 90 minutes creating for himself and others. Looked to have finally been rewarded with a goal in stoppage time before VAR ruled him to be offside. Getty

Son Heung-min – 7. The Korea international had plenty of chances. His cross-shot beat Leno but Kane was adjudged to be offside. He then fired over with another effort, and hit the woodwork. AP

Tottenham's Harry Kane celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham at Tottenham Hotspur stadium, in London, England, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022. (AP Photo / Ian Walton)

SUBS: Dejan Kulusevski (Kane 78’) – N/R. A planned substitution before Kane’s goal, the Sweden international saw limited time to impress and was unable to make too much of an influence. Getty

Ivan Perisic (Son 84’) – N/R. Having to settle for a place on the bench, Perisic was brought on for the remaining minutes to see out the game. Getty

FULHAM RATINGS: Bernd Leno – 7. Leno was equal to most things thrown at him in the early stages, but he was unable to keep out the goals of Hojbjerg and Kane. AP

Kenny Tete – 6. Booked for time-wasting in the 36th minute, but the Dutchman was a constant source of crosses for Mitrovic into the box. Reuters

Tosin Adarabioyo – 6. A busy game from the centre-back to limit Spurs’ goals. He had to deal with an onslaught of attacks by their frontmen, including a crucial tackle to deny Kane in the first half. AP

Tim Ream – 7. The American has impressed so far this season, and he made a number of crucial interceptions and blocks to deny and limit his opponent’s chances. EPA

Antonee Robinson – N/R. Looked to be having an intriguing contest on the left wing with Emerson Royal, but his afternoon was cut short having rolled on his ankle. Getty

Harrison Reed – 5. A tough day in midfield with Fulham put on the back foot for large parts, Reed found it difficult to impose himself. EPA

Joao Palhinha – 5. Picked up his fourth yellow card in his first six games since his move to Fulham as the Portuguese midfielder was dominated by his counterparts in the battle in the middle. AFP

Bobby De Cordova-Reid – 4. A frustrating afternoon with limited opportunities to get his foot on the ball. EPA

Andreas Pereira – 6. The former Manchester United man saw his shot go wide early on, and he was notably Fulham’s most attacking prospect. Reuters

Neeskens Kebano – 4. A missed attempt in the first half was all Kebano could do for much of his time on the pitch with Spurs giving Fulham little time on the ball. PA

Aleksandar Mitrovic – 7. The Serbian striker saw his first sight of goal moments before the half-time whistle when he beat Lenglet to a cross in the box before his header went wide. However, he wasted no time pulling a goal back with a curling effort. Nearly found an equaliser, too. PA

SUBS: Kevin Mbabu (Robinson 29’) - 4. An early change following an injury to Robinson, and it was his error which led to Hojbjerg’s goal. In the second half, Mbubu was again caught off-guard by Richarlison. AP

Willian (Kebano 60’) – 5. A return to the Premier League for Willian after his departure last year from Arsenal, he’ll be hoping for more time to make an impact. EPA

Daniel James (De Cordova-Reid 60’) – 5. Fulham’s new signing was unable to make an impact on his debut. EPA

Tom Cairney (Pereira 61’) 6. The long serving Fulham player saw his shot blocked in the 83rd minute. Reuters

Carlos Vinicius (Palhinha 85’) – N/R. The former Spurs forward came on for the closing stages of the game. Reuters

Tottenham Hotspur maintained their impressive start to the Premier League season with a 2-1 victory over Fulham that did not do justice to their best attacking display so far on Saturday.

Goals in each half by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Harry Kane earned Tottenham a fourth win in six games but in-form Aleksandar Mitrovic's effort set up a nervy finale.

For the first time Tottenham manager Antonio Conte unleashed Richarlison from the start to form an attacking trident with Harry Kane and Son Heung-min and it proved an exciting formula.

But after almost constant Tottenham pressure it was midfielder Hojbjerg who finally earned Tottenham the lead they deserved with a neat 40th-minute finish.

Kane made it 2-0 in the 75th minute and the superb Richarlison was denied by the woodwork and had a goal disallowed for offside as he did everything but open his account.

Mitrovic struck a superb reply in the 86th for his sixth league goal of the season but Tottenham sealed the win that put them on 14 points from six matches, while Fulham remain on eight points.

Reflecting on the performances at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Emma James has provided her player ratings in the photo gallery above. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.