Thomas Frank has described the Tottenham fans who booed Guglielmo Vicario during the 2-1 defeat to Fulham as “not real fans” and considered it “unacceptable”.
Vicario was booed by his own supporters after yelling during a chaotic first half against Fulham, where Spurs conceded twice in the first six minutes and a second-half comeback wasn’t enough to avoid a 2-1 defeat.
Already trailing after Kenny Tete’s deflected opening goal in the third minute, less than three minutes later a moment of madness on the part of the Italian goalkeeper handed the ball over to Harry Wilson, who ran some 25 yards from his own line, and the Fulham midfielder punished his own poor clearance with a sublime strike into the unguarded net.
Frank told Sky Sports: “I didn’t like that the fans booed him (Vicario) right after the game and he even touched the ball a few times. They can’t be real Tottenham fans because when you’re on the pitch you all support each other.”
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Free to watch: Highlights of Tottenham Hotspur vs Fulham in the Premier League
“And we do everything we can to perform. Of course, it’s okay if there are boos after we’re done. But not during the middle. In my opinion, that’s unacceptable.”
Spurs’ poor start proved insurmountable and they were handed their 10th home league defeat of 2025. This is their worst record in the calendar year with Brentford and Liverpool coming to north London in December.
Franks were unable to respond immediately due to the weight of their undesirable home record, but they only improved after half-time, and eventually came close to making a comeback through Mohamed Kudus’ lightning strike on the hour mark (though it never materialized).
“We lost this game in the first six minutes. We just have to keep trying,” Frank said.
“Then we rushed the first half in a lot of ways. We wanted to get back into the game and we couldn’t do that in the first half, but we were much better in the second half. We got a little bit more momentum and created more chances and opportunities, but we couldn’t get the second goal.”
“It was an emotional performance in the second half, and I think that’s quite normal. We know we really want to win at home, so it’s tough when things don’t go our way. That’s why we need to stick to the plan, stay calm and not stress. Easier said than done.”
After the match, Frank shakes hands with Vicario.
Vicario on booing: It’s part of football
Meanwhile, Vicario told the cameras after the game that fans had the right to boo his players.
“It’s part of football. I’m a big guy and older,” he told Sky Sports.
“We cannot be influenced by the situation in the stands. The fans have the right to do as they wish. It is our responsibility to remain calm.”
Vicario trudging off the pitch after the defeat against Fulham
“We have to focus on ourselves
“At the moment we lack a bit of composure and composure. Today was a bad loss and it’s difficult to accept.”
Spurs’ unfortunate home base in palatial surroundings
Tottenham suffered their 10th home defeat in the 2025 Premier League, tied for the most home league defeats in a single calendar year in the club’s history (10 defeats in 1994 and 2003). Spurs have picked up just 14 points at home in the past 12 months, the lowest of any Premier League side so far, and sit six points behind West Ham, who have the second-lowest points total. Of the three teams that won, Southampton have now been relegated with 12 points, Manchester United finished in 15th place, and Burnley, whose only win at home this season, is currently in second place at the bottom of the Premier League. Tottenham have had 37 more shots on target and 27 more shots on target than they have attempted in 12 months at home. Fulham were 2-0 up after six minutes, the fastest time Spurs have conceded two goals in a Premier League home match. For the first time in the Tottenham Premier League, they have suffered four consecutive home defeats in London derbies (against Chelsea, Crystal Palace and Fulham twice).
Dawson: Spurs need to be realistic
Former Tottenham defender Michael Dawson said on Saturday Night Football:
“We were always going to improve from last season[in the Premier League]. They’re currently 10th but only four points off the top four. That’s where we have to be realistic.”
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Pedro Polo appeared to yell at Lukas Bergvall as he applauded home fans after Spurs defeat
“Did we expect them to finish in the top four this season? They didn’t. I thought top six was realistic with Frank playing.”
“You can’t simply say Frank isn’t a good manager now, given what he’s done over the last four or five years at Brentford.
“The performance at home is way below par. It’s the creativity. It’s difficult for Thomas, but he just got into the building in the blink of an eye. We have to give him a chance, but we have to see improvement.”
“We are only four points behind the top four. Top six was a realistic target. Thomas Frank is a good manager, as we have seen for many years, but a big club brings expectations and scrutiny.
“This group of players is not playing at the level I expect.”
