Fourth place is not my end goal: Spurs boss Postecoglou

Disappointed by his side's 3-0 Premier League defeat at mid-table Fulham on Saturday (Sunday AEDT), former Socceroos boss Postecoglou insisted the pursuit of fourth place and a spot at European soccer's top table was not his prime concern.

Spurs entered this fixture on a high after an emphatic victory at Aston Villa last weekend.

It meant fifth-placed Tottenham could leapfrog Villa and reclaim fourth spot with all three points at Craven Cottage, but they were blown away as Rodrigo Muniz continued his excellent form with a goal either side of halftime.

"The second half, after we conceded the second one, we just didn't reach the levels of intensity and tempo we've had all year," Postecoglou said.

"I don't see fourth as the prize. This club has finished fourth before. It's finished second before.

"Fourth is not my end goal. I don't want to finish fourth if we haven't grown as a team and developed as a team.

"Success is built on more tangible stuff.

"If we finish fifth and I think we've got a team to challenge next (season), then I won't be disappointed."

Sasa Lukic also found the net after 49 minutes with his first goal for Fulham, who have now won four of their last six matches - including victories over Brighton and Manchester United.

"If not the best (performance), one of the best," Postecoglou's opposite number Marco Silva said.

"The first half was the best of the season because the players did it brilliant. It was almost perfect."

Tottenham captain Son Heung-min described the defeat as "unacceptable" and urged his teammates to use it as a wake-up call.

"Everybody has to look in the mirror and say, 'It was my fault' because it was not good enough," Son told broadcaster Sky Sports.

"The attitude, the performance, it was not good enough. Everyone needs this as a big wake-up call.

"It is unacceptable, that performance and the result.

"We make two steps backwards and now need to make a strong step forwards."

Australian Associated Press