Spurs Boss Frank Calls Goalkeeper Critics 'Not Real Supporters'

Spurs supporters who booed goalkeeper Vicario were informed later "those individuals can't be true Spurs supporters" by boss Thomas Frank.

Spurs conceded a pair of scores in the first initial moments to fall 2-1 to Fulham, registering their tenth Premier League home loss of 2025.

However the primary talking point was the visitors' second score when Vicario gave away the ball far outside his box.

The goalkeeper ventured out to handle a high pass and carried the ball near the touchline.

However, instead of kicking it into touch, the Italian turned and attempted to clear away, but slipped as the ball glanced off Harry Wilson and was controlled by Josh King.

King laid the ball off to Welsh midfield player Wilson, who curled a strike into the net from the sideline recorded at thirty-six point six metres.

Seconds later when the ball came to Vicario once more, a number of Spurs fans jeered him.

The team were jeered off at the interval, with the side 2-0 behind, and once more at full-time.

One of those jeering sessions really angered Frank.

"I heard a few of our supporters reportedly jeered the incident and booed following, which, in my view is completely unacceptable," the Dane commented regarding the fans' response to his goalkeeper.

"[They] cannot be real Tottenham fans that act that way. Alright jeering after the match, fine, but when we are in play, we are supporting each other, we are with each other moving ahead."

Kenny Tete had handed the visitors a early lead prior to Harry Wilson's goal – with Mohammed Kudus scoring for Spurs in an better second period showing.

Former Premier League goalkeeper Joe Hart stated that the second goal was "totally preventable".

"I certainly appreciate the fans' disappointment," the ex-keeper continued. "I am aware the role the keeper is performing. He is a excellent team player, he is a real leader in the locker room but in the end you are going to be judged by your decisions.

"The keeper was deeply involved in what turned out to be the winning score."

'It's Part of Football, I'm a Big Man'

Italy international Vicario is in his third campaign with Tottenham.

He said following the game that he had to take the criticism.

"That goal was a mistake of mine, I accept accountability for it," he said.

"The intent was to clear the ball long and I simply hit the ball in a poor manner. It was an even bigger mountain to overcome."

He said receiving jeers "comes with football".

"I'm a big man, what can I say?" he added. "The team cannot be influenced by the circumstances in the crowd. Supporters have the right to do what they think.

"It's on the team to stay more calm, to concentrate on our own performance. We are lacking in calmness and poise to reverse results. Today is a poor defeat and it's tough to accept."

'It Shocked Me No One Went Back to the Line'

In spite of Vicario's error, it was not an easy goal for Wilson to convert.

In fact it was the next most distant Premier League goal of the season – after Tyler Adams' forty-three point three yard strike for Bournemouth against the Black Cats, which incidentally too occurred on the same day.

Wilson stated he was "somewhat taken aback" that he still had an empty goal to target.

10 seconds passed between the keeper exiting of his box and the midfielder shooting – which was five seconds after the kick.

"I felt like the goalkeeper was out of the area for ages," Wilson remarked.

"I was surprised none of the defenders returned to the line. When none of them covered the net, my interest sparked somewhat.

"[Destiny] Udogie fell too, which gave me a bit of extra opportunity. Then it was all about trying to achieve the correct connection and get it on target. I had a good sense, as soon as it left my boot, that it was on the right line."

'When You're in a Poor Run, All Appears to Go Against You'

Although the keeper's mistake dominated headlines, this was an overall bad day for Tottenham to extend their home struggles.

The match was their 10th home loss of the year in the league, a joint team statistic along with 1994 and two thousand and three.

The side still have home fixtures against the manager's old side Brentford and champions Liverpool to come before the end of the season.

Only one of those wins have occurred since Frank took over from his predecessor in the summer.

"When you're behind 2-0 after six minutes, there is a huge challenge to climb," said the boss.

"During in a poor run, everything seems to go against you too – the opening was a deflected attempt, the second is a error from the keeper.

"This result leaves us in a position where we have suffered an additional match. Every game has a single story, today we lost in the early stages.

"We simply need to keep working. The second half was significantly improved and hopefully an aspect we can use to learn."

Tottenham have been defeated in 4 straight at home London derbies for the first time in the top division.

Furthermore they are averaging 9.5 attempts and three point two shots on target per match in the Premier League – their poorest averages on record in a single campaign (dating back to the 2003-04 season).

Former Cottagers midfielder Murphy stated that the manager has to ride the storm.

"He's got take the criticism," the pundit said. "He's taken a high profile job at a major team with enormous anticipation. There is pressure and duty that comes with that.

"Their showings at their stadium have been poor and they have to improve {quickly|