Bournemouth secured a deserved 1-0 victory over a lacklustre Tottenham on the Vitality Stadium.
Dean Huijsen’s Seventeenth-minute header was sufficient to separate the edges, with the Cherries creating quite a few alternatives to increase their lead.
For Spurs, it was one other night time to overlook as they struggled to interrupt down a disciplined Bournemouth defence.
The sport started with Tottenham dominating possession in typical Ange Postecoglou trend, however they did not convert their early territorial benefit into significant possibilities.
Their finest alternative within the opening exchanges fell to former Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke, who blasted a shot over the bar after Huijsen misjudged a protracted ball.
Moments later, Bournemouth punished Spurs for his or her wastefulness.
Full-time in Bournemouth. pic.twitter.com/pFrpQz0mAS
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) December 5, 2024
A well-delivered nook from Marcus Tavernier discovered Huijsen on the again publish, and the defender made amends for his earlier mistake by heading powerfully previous Fraser Forster to offer the house aspect the lead.
The purpose marked a turning level as Bournemouth started to develop in confidence whereas Tottenham seemed disjointed and annoyed.
The Cherries might have doubled their benefit earlier than half-time.
Tavernier noticed a close-range header brilliantly saved by Forster, and he additionally had a purpose dominated out for offside.
On the different finish, Spurs’ assault lacked creativity, with Dejan Kulusevski their solely shiny spark.
James Maddison’s curling effort got here shut, however Kepa Arrizabalaga was largely untroubled within the Bournemouth purpose throughout the first half.
Tottenham launched Heung-Min Son after the break, hoping to inject some urgency, they usually thought that they had equalised when Son discovered the again of the web.
Simply a few chill guys getting three factors 😇 pic.twitter.com/dzZRg2x0Xn
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) December 5, 2024
Nonetheless, the offside flag was raised instantly, and VAR confirmed the choice.
Regardless of elevated possession, Spurs struggled to create clear-cut possibilities, with their remaining ball typically letting them down.
Bournemouth continued to threaten on the counter-attack, with Dango Ouattara losing a number of wonderful alternatives to place the sport to mattress.
Evanilson additionally had a purpose dominated out for offside after a deflected shot fell kindly to him, however VAR intervened to disclaim the Brazilian.
Because the clock ticked into added time, Tottenham appeared resigned to defeat.
Their six further minutes yielded little, with Bournemouth’s defence standing agency to safe a beneficial three factors.
The Cherries now leapfrog Spurs into the highest half of the desk.
Postecoglou’s aspect have misplaced six of their 14 video games to date this season, as many as Everton, Brentford and Crystal Palace.
