Tottenham Hotspur v Bournemouth preview: Team news, head-to-head and stats
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Tottenham have scored in 32 consecutive Premier League games, equalling a club record
Tottenham finished 2023 on a high with victory over an energetic Bournemouth in the Premier League at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Pape Sarr opened the scoring when Rodrigo Bentancur latched on to Neto’s casual pass out from the back and it broke for Sarr, who drilled it into the far corner.
Smarting from a 4-2 loss to Brighton in midweek, an injury-hit Spurs watched as Bournemouth enjoyed plenty of chances and looked likely to level.
But the visitors lacked a clinical edge in the final third and Son Heung-min doubled his side’s lead with a superb left-footed strike which went in off a post before Richarlison swept home to wrap up the points for Ange Postecoglou’s side.
Alex Scott steered home a consolation goal but the Cherries will likely wonder how they allowed the scoreline to get away from them and leave London empty-handed.
It marked a first defeat in eight games for Andoni Iraola’s side as Dominic Solanke’s three-match scoring streak came to an end.
Spurs remain fifth in the table – three points off top spot and one behind Arsenal in fourth.
Injury-hit Spurs find way to win
After a strong start to the season under Postecoglou, Tottenham had lost five of their past nine games and continue to battle with injuries.
The surprise return of Bentancur to the starting XI was a welcome sight for Spurs fans after he recovered from an ankle injury earlier than anticipated.
The home side got off to the perfect start with Sarr’s slotted finish but had to hang in there as Bournemouth were on top for large periods.
Spurs created little in the second half but Son’s goal knocked the wind out of the visitors and Richarlison wrapped up the points.
“Every week is a battle and we had to battle today,” said Postecoglou. “We’ve not been able to rotate but we’re still putting in performances and effort like we are today.
“We had to show a bit of everything – resilience, character and discipline.
“We’re three points off the top so if that is the difference between having a great season and where we are I’ll take it.”
But there was more injury misery for Postecoglou as Sarr went down in the first half and left the field visibly upset before Alejo Veliz hobbled off in tears late on, forcing Spurs to see out the final few minutes with 10 men, having made all their substitutions.
While they showed quality to withstand Bournemouth’s pressure, Spurs’ injury situation is a concern, but Postecoglou stood by his previous statement that fans should not expect “magic” in the January transfer window.
“Each window gives an opportunity to strengthen and grow. It’s nothing to do with the injury situation; it’s to do with building the side,” he said.
Spurs also paid tribute to goalkeeper Hugo Lloris at half-time after he joined Major League Soccer side Los Angeles FC on a free transfer, having made 447 appearances in 11 years for Tottenham.
Bournemouth rue missed chances
Having earned only three points from their first nine league games this season, Bournemouth arrived at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on a seven-match unbeaten run, six of them bringing wins.
Despite going behind early on, the Cherries posed a threat throughout and will perhaps wonder how they did not manage to take something from the game.
Richarlison got a crucial touch on Marcus Tavernier’s free-kick to ensure it whistled wide before Solanke’s effort almost found the back of the net when Ben Davies diverted it on to the top of the crossbar.
Solanke had nine chances, the most he has had in any top-flight match this season, forcing Guglielmo Vicario into a good reaction save with a header and going close from Tavernier’s low cross.
The scoreline perhaps flattered Spurs somewhat but, for all their efforts, Bournemouth struggled to get many chances on target and will be disappointed to have let the match get away from them.
“We had a lot of opportunities and we’ve won games playing worse than today, but they were better, especially finishing,” said Iraola.
It has, however, been a stellar run for Iraola’s side and they will enter 2024 confident of their Premier League status.
“We started the season bad but have been in a very good run,” said Iraola. “We have 25 points – a good amount, but we still need more. We have to keep improving and the performance today was really good.”
Player of the match
UdogieDestiny Udogie
AFC Bournemouth
Squad number14Player nameScott
Squad number9Player nameSolanke
Squad number10Player nameChristie
Squad number16Player nameTavernier
Squad number24Player nameSemenyo
Squad number4Player nameL Cook
Squad number7Player nameBrooks
Squad number19Player nameKluivert
Squad number25Player nameSenesi
Squad number15Player nameA Smith
Squad number11Player nameOuattara
Squad number17Player nameSinisterra
Squad number1Player nameNeto
Squad number29Player nameBilling
Squad number27Player nameZabarnyi
Squad number37Player nameAarons
Line-upsTottenham
Formation 4-3-3
13Vicario
23Porro12Emerson Royal33Davies38Udogie
29Sarr30Bentancur18Lo Celso
22Johnson9Richarlison7Son Heung-min
Substitutes
Bournemouth
Formation 4-2-3-1
1Neto
15A Smith27Zabarnyi25Senesi11Ouattara
10Christie4L Cook
16Tavernier19Kluivert17Sinisterra
9Solanke
Substitutes
Referee:Simon Hooper
Attendance:61,780
Live Text
Match ends, Tottenham Hotspur 3, Bournemouth 1.
Second Half ends, Tottenham Hotspur 3, Bournemouth 1.
Foul by Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (Tottenham Hotspur).
Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Offside, Bournemouth. Alex Scott is caught offside.
Attempt missed. David Brooks (Bournemouth) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Alex Scott.
Attempt blocked. Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Lewis Cook with a cross.
Corner, Bournemouth. Conceded by Eric Dier.
Attempt missed. Dominic Solanke (Bournemouth) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Marcos Senesi with a cross.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match because of an injury Marcus Tavernier (Bournemouth).
Alejo Véliz went off injured after Tottenham Hotspur had used all subs.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match because of an injury Alejo Véliz (Tottenham Hotspur).
Giovani Lo Celso (Tottenham Hotspur) is shown the yellow card.
Corner, Bournemouth. Conceded by Eric Dier.
Attempt saved. Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth) right footed shot from more than 35 yards is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Marcus Tavernier.
Corner, Bournemouth. Conceded by Emerson Royal.
Foul by Son Heung-Min (Tottenham Hotspur).
Alex Scott (Bournemouth) wins a free kick in the defensive half.