Claudio Ranieri reveals key mistake to cost Fulham valuable point after Harry Winks' late winner for Tottenham

The Cottagers are seven points from safety after a third successive Premier League defeat

Claudio Ranieri claims he lost his voice screaming at Fulham FC to play the ball into the corner before Harry Winks’ struck a late winner for Tottenham to deny the Cottagers a valuable point.

The Italian was left angry at Fulham’s decision to play a free-kick into Spurs’ penalty area, rather than waste time by keeping possession.

Dele Alli had levelled for Spurs after Fernando Llorente’s own-goal gifted the hosts an opener, with Winks’ stoppage time strike inflicting a third successive defeat on Fulham to leave them seven points from safety.

“It was a good match, it was fantastic for us, we scored a goal, maybe a penalty that the referee didn’t see,” Ranieri told Sky Sports.

“The second half they tried, but the two goals were so... We lacked experience.

“The time was one minute at the end, we had a free kick and we put the ball into the box, why? put the ball into the corner.

“It’s OK, we have to continue, we have to continue to fight, we made a mountain. We must continue in this way and try. I’m very happy with Ryan Babel, he needs more time to be fit. But, I’m confident, I never lose my confidence with the team.

Claudio Ranieri barks instructions during Fulham's game vs Tottenham (AP)

“I lost my voice, I said, ‘take the ball, there (in the corner).”

Fulham next face Brighton a week on Tuesday in the battle to beat the drop.