Ange Postecoglou defends selection after Spurs crash out of League Cup

LONDON – Ange Postecoglou has found life relatively easy in England so far but he had to defend his team selection on Tuesday, after a first defeat as Tottenham Hotspur manager when Fulham won 5-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in the League Cup second round.

The Greek-Australian had masterminded an encouraging start to his first season in charge of Spurs, with successive 2-0 English Premier League wins against Manchester United and Bournemouth following a draw against Brentford.

But the former Celtic boss paid the price for making nine changes to his starting line-up against their fellow Premiership side at Craven Cottage.

Postecoglou handed a full debut to Manor Solomon, while Giovani lo Celso and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg started despite speculation over their future.

Fulham boss Marco Silva made six changes himself, but it was Tottenham’s understudies who struggled.

“Obviously disappointed with the outcome, getting knocked out of the cup,” said Postecoglou.

“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.”

Micky van de Ven’s 19th-minute own goal gave Fulham the lead as the defender turned Tom Cairney’s cross past goalkeeper Fraser Forster.

Tottenham then took advantage of a curious incident that left Fulham down to 10 men to equalise in the 56th minute.

A problem with Kenny Tete’s boot meant the Fulham defender had to sprint down the tunnel to find a replacement in the dressing room. Moments later, Ivan Perisic whipped in a cross from the position Tete would have been defending and Richarlison headed home from an acute angle.

But Spurs were unable to find a winner and in the shoot-out, Davinson Sanchez’s effort was saved by Marek Rodak before Tete, now with boots on both feet, fired home the decisive kick.

Currently enduring a trophy drought that stretches back to their League Cup win in 2008, Tottenham already have one fewer competition in which to end that barren run this term.

Postecoglou had introduced James Maddison and captain Son Heung-min in the second half, but insisted that resting his first-team players did not mean he did not take the League Cup seriously.

“How am I going to find out about my players? It doesn’t mean the Cup, or any game, isn’t a priority for us,” he said. “We are very much at the discovery stage and we need to give the players the opportunity. We are going to need these guys if we get disruptions along the way with injuries.

“They’re not just here to make up the numbers. They keep working hard and deserved the opportunity to go out and play tonight.”

Fulham boss Silva, meanwhile, felt that “the best team won”.

“What’s clear is from the first minute we were on the front foot. That was the plan and the players executed it,” he said. “We pressed them really high and didn’t let them settle. That was one of the keys for us throughout the game.”

Elsewhere, fourth-tier Salford, co-owned by former Manchester United stars David Beckham, Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, beat Leeds United 9-8 on penalties after a 1-1 draw with the Championship club.

“Absolutely incredible. I would have never imagined this game to go so far, never mind to go to penalties and to win. Such a big night for all these Salford fans,” Neville said.

Hoping for a reunion with his former club in the third round, he added: “Us lads as owners, we love Man United and we love this club as well. To have the opportunity to play them is the special night that we want.”

In other matches, promoted Premier League side Luton Town beat fourth-tier Gillingham 3-2 at Kenilworth Road to win for the first time this season.

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola earned his first win in English football as Ryan Christie’s last-gasp goal clinched a 3-2 victory at second-tier Swansea.

Brentford needed a 3-0 penalty shoot-out victory to advance after a 1-1 draw at fourth-tier Newport.

Crystal Palace fought back from two goals down to win 4-2 at second-tier Plymouth. AFP, REUTERS