Manager Ange Postecoglou defends team selection as Spurs are eliminated from the English League Cup.

Nine changes to the starting lineup at Craven Cottage by the former Celtic manager cost him.

Ange Postecoglou defended his team selection after his first loss as Tottenham manager, a 5-3 victory on penalties for Fulham following a 1-1 draw on Tuesday in the League Cup second round.

After drawing with Brentford and winning the following two Premier League matches against Manchester United and Bournemouth, Postecoglou’s first season as Tottenham’s manager had gotten off to a promising start. But the former Celtic manager was penalized for changing his starting lineup nine times at Craven Cottage.

Manor Solomon had a complete debut from Postecoglou, and Giovani Lo Celso and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg both began despite rumors about their futures.

Marco Silva, the manager of Fulham, made six substitutions, but it was Tottenham’s backup players who struggled.

After turning Tom Cairney’s cross in front of goalkeeper Fraser Forster, defender Micky van de Ven gave Fulham the lead with an own goal in the 19th minute.

Tottenham equalized in the 56th minute by taking advantage of an odd occurrence that reduced Fulham to 10 men.

Kenny Tete had to run down the tunnel to the dressing room to look for a replacement boot because his was broken.

Richarlison scored from a tight angle after Ivan Perisic crossed the ball from the area Tete would have been defending.

However, Tottenham was unable to secure a victory. In the shootout, Davinson Sanchez’s attempt was stopped by Marek Rodak before Tete, now wearing boots on both feet, blasted the winning shot.

Tottenham currently has a trophy drought going back to 2008, and this season they already have one less competition to put an end to that dry spell.

Postecoglou defended his choice of bench players despite bringing in talents Son Heung-min and James Maddison in the second half.

“How will I learn more about my players? The Australian continued, “That doesn’t mean the cup, or any game, isn’t a priority for us.

“We need to give the guys a chance since we are still very much in the discovery stage.

If there are any delays due to injuries along the road, we will need these troops.

– ‘Absolutely incredible’ –

After a 1-1 draw with Championship-level Leeds, fourth-tier Salford, which is co-owned by former Manchester United stars David Beckham, Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs, and Paul Scholes, defeated Leeds 9-8 on penalties.

Absolutely amazing. I never would have envisioned this game going this far, let alone going to penalties and winning. Such a significant evening for these Salford supporters, Neville remarked.

Neville continued, hoping for a third-round meeting with his former team: “We lads as owners, we love Man United and we love this club as well.

“The special night that we want is to have the opportunity to play them.”

For the first time this year, Luton won at Kenilworth Road, defeating fourth-tier Gillingham 3-2.

Jacob Brown, Alfie Doughty, and Cauley Woodrow scored goals for Luton, who are competing in the top division for the first time in 31 years after losing to Brighton and Chelsea in their first two Premier League games.

Ryan Christie’s injury-time goal gave Bournemouth’s manager Andoni Iraola his first victory in English football as Swansea, a lower-league team, was defeated 3-2.

In his first three league matches, the Spaniard had presided over a draw with West Ham and losses to Tottenham and Liverpool.

After a 1-1 draw against fourth-tier Newport, Brentford needed a 3-0 penalty shootout victory to advance.Thanks to Jean-Philippe Mateta’s hat-trick and a comeback from two goals down, second-tier Plymouth was defeated 4-2 by Crystal Palace.