Thomas Frank has criticised a section of Tottenham Hotspur supporters for turning on goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario during their 2-1 Premier League defeat to Fulham at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Bees manager, whose side won convincingly, said the booing of the Italian after his mistake for Fulham's second goal was unacceptable.
Vicario raced off his line to the left touchline but miskicked, allowing Harry Wilson to score into an empty net. That came after Kenny Tete's deflected opener had given Fulham a 2-0 lead inside six minutes. Frank said: “When you’re down 2-0 after six minutes, there is a mountain to climb. When you’re in a bad spell, everything seems to go against you as well – the first was a deflected shot, the second is a mistake from Vic.”
Frank added: “I didn’t like that our fans booed at him straight after and a few times after that. They can’t be true Tottenham fans because everyone supports each other when you’re on the pitch and we do everything we can to perform. I’m fine with them booing after the match, no problem, but not during. That is unacceptable in my opinion.”
Vicario accepted full responsibility, saying: “It’s tough because to go 2-0 down after six minutes, you never expect this. Especially the second goal was a mistake of mine. I take the responsibility for that.” On the fans' reaction, he said: “It’s part of football. So I am a big man. I am quite older. What can I say? We cannot be influenced by situations in the stand. Fans have the right to do what they think.”
Fulham boss Marco Silva, in his 200th game in charge, celebrated his side’s first away win of the season. He said: “We have been really speaking about the games on the road, so it was very important for us to win. The way we controlled our game during the first 35 minutes was pleasing, we didn’t leave anything for them.” Tottenham have now lost four of their opening seven home league games this season.
