Fulham took the lead in the 19th minute through a Micky van de Ven own goal, capitalizing on an uninspired performance from a lackluster Spurs side. However, Spurs managed to level the score 11 minutes into the second half, as Richarlison headed in from close range.
In the penalty shootout, Fulham emerged victorious by successfully converting all five of their attempts, while Marek Rodak saved Davinson Sanchez's tame strike from 12 yards. This win avenged Fulham's unexpected elimination in the second round last season and marked a rare early exit for Tottenham, who hadn't been knocked out in Round Two for 18 years.
Ange Postecoglou made nine alterations to the Tottenham lineup that secured a 2-0 victory against Bournemouth in the Premier League the previous weekend. Only Van de Ven and Richarlison retained their positions, with Manor Solomon, a former Fulham player, earning his full debut.
With Marco Silva absent from the touchline due to suspension, Fulham made six changes after a 2-2 draw with Arsenal. New signing Adama Traore received his first start, and Rodrigo Muniz was also featured prominently. Fulham dominated the early stages, and Muniz had the first opportunity in the seventh minute, narrowly missing the target with a header from Antonee Robinson's cross.
Fulham's persistence paid off as Van de Ven inadvertently scored an own goal in the 19th minute, deflecting Tom Cairney's low cross past the line with Cristian Romero unable to clear the ball off the line.
Despite Tottenham supporters expressing their frustration towards chairman Daniel Levy, the defense struggled to cope with Traore's speed. Fraser Forster thwarted Muniz's low shot following a swift counter-attack, and later denied him again with a diving save to his right.
In the second half, Postecoglou introduced 19-year-old Dane Scarlett instead of big-name players like Son Heung-min and James Maddison. Fulham remained unchanged. The dynamics of the game saw little alteration, frustrating the Spurs fans. However, Tottenham ignited in the 55th minute, with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg narrowly missing the target before Richarlison headed in an equalizer, capitalizing on a temporary 10-man Fulham after Kenny Tete briefly left the field to change his boots.
Fulham pushed back, and Bobby De Cordova-Reid narrowly missed the target with a sliced effort. In the final 20 minutes, Postecoglou introduced Son, Dejan Kulusevski, and Pape Matar Sarr, while Maddison, Raul Jimenez, and others joined in as the game opened up.
The match eventually proceeded to a penalty shootout, in which Fulham held the upper hand. Spurs' Son and Kulusevski scored, but Rodak saved Sanchez's attempt, while Pereira, Jimenez, and Wilson scored for Fulham. Tete sealed the victory for Fulham with a confident strike.
Fulham will discover their third-round opponents through the draw set for Wednesday evening.
