Bournemouth could have won by any number of goals given how well they played, but the Cherries were happy to settle for a 1-0 victory over Tottenham at Vitality Stadium on Thursday.
WATCH - Bournemouth vs Tottenham full match replay
Tottenham are the third big side to suffer defeat down on the south coast already this season, following in Arsenal and Manchester City’s footsteps. Andoni Iraola’s side dominated the game from start to finish as they racked up 3.31 xG (to 0.58 for Spurs) on 21 shots — 16 of which came from inside the penalty area. 19-year-old defender Dean Huijsen scored the game’s only goal from a corner kick in the first half.
Bournemouth (21 points) sit 9th in the Premier League table, now a point above Tottenham in 10th.
Injuries, busy schedule exposing Spurs’s lack of depth
From player 1-11, Tottenham are anywhere from 4th- to 6th-best in the Premier League. Tottenham are still pretty alright in spots 12-15, but once you go beyond that, there just aren’t any more players you can trust to positively impact the game for 30 minutes, let alone 90. When everything goes according to plan and they play to their full potential, they really wow you with a five-star performance and make you think they’ve finally turned the corner under Ange Postecoglou. And then reality hits. Spurs’ reality is nothing but injuries (4th center back Ben Davies was the latest to go down), to the point that not getting blown out is really the best they can hope for. Postecoglou has done a good job of adjusting his tactics to keep Spurs in every game and the players are digging deep, but the squad lack a true difference maker to go and win it on most days. And that’s probably still true even when everyone is fit and available. Is Harry Kane ready to come home? No, seriously.
Player ratings - Bournemouth vs Tottenham
What’s next?
- Ipswich vs Bournemouth — Sunday (9 am ET)
- Tottenham vs Chelsea — Sunday (11:30 am ET)
Bournemouth vs Tottenham live updates - by Andy Edwards
Bournemouth vs Tottenham final score: 1-0
Goalscorers: Dean Huijsen (17')
NO GOAL! OFFSIDE! Evanilson’s goal ruled out after Tyler Adams intercepts Fraser Forster (72')
A massive let-off for Spurs, and an unlucky one for Tyler Adams, who has been fantastic through 70 minutes and probably should have scored the initial chance.
GOAL! Bournemouth 1-0 Tottenham: Dean Huijsen gets free and heads home at the back post (17')
Bournemouth starting lineup
Arrizabalaga - Smith, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez - Adams, Christie, Kluivert - Semenyo, Tavernier, Evanilson
Tottenham starting lineup
Forster - Gray, Dragusin, Davies, Udogie - Bissouma, Sarr, Maddison - Kulusevski, Johnson, Solanke
How to watch Bournemouth vs Tottenham live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 3:15pm ET, Thursday (December 5)
Venue: Vitality Stadium — Bournemouth
TV Channel: USA Network
Streaming: Watch live on NBC.com
Andoni Iraola’s side won 4-2 at Wolves last time out, as Justin Kluivert scored a hat trick of penalties and Bournemouth are a joy to watch when they’re in full flow. They always go for it, press opponents high up the pitch and play at a ferocious tempo. Iraola has created a team which totally believes in his system and Kluivert and Evanilson can’t stop scoring in recent weeks. They’re also so tough to play against at home and have already beaten Arsenal and Manchester City at the Vitality Stadium this season. They have 18 points on the board, just two behind Tottenham.
Injury-hit Tottenham were lucky to escape with a 1-1 draw at home against Fulham on Sunday. Ange Posctecoglou’s side have a ton of defensive injuries and star goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is out for an extended period of time. With so many games in the Europa League, League Cup and Premier League, Ange’s squad is being stretched to its limits. They looked tired against Fulham and that’s the last thing they can be against this energetic, high-pressing Bournemouth side.
Bournemouth team news, focus
The Cherries have star forward Antoine Semenyo back from suspension and that is a huge bonus. Kluivert and Evanilson were a real handful against Wolves and Semenyo’s direct running from the right is a joy to behold. If Lewis Cook isn’t back fit then Tyler Adams and Ryan Christie will continue to hold things down in midfield.
OUT: Alex Scott (knee), Luis Sinisterra (hamstring), Julian Araujo (thigh) | QUESTIONABLE: Lewis Cook (muscle)
Tottenham team news, focus
Fraser Forster made some big saves against Fulham but isn’t as comfortable with the ball at his feet as Vicario. Van de Ven is still out, so too is Richarlison and Bentancur is suspended, so Ange really doesn’t have much squad depth. He will hoping the duo of Romero and Solanke are fit to start, with the latter being particularly crucial to Spurs’ attack this season after his big-money arrival from Bournemouth this summer. Kulusevski will surely start after he was on the bench against Fulham.
OUT: Guglielmo Vicario (fractured ankle), Micky van de Ven (hamstring), Wilson Odobert (thigh), Mikey Moore (illness), Richarlison (thigh), Rodrigo Bentancur (suspension) | QUESTIONABLE: Cristian Romero (toe), Dominic Solanke (illness), Archie Gray (thigh)
Bournemouth vs Tottenham prediction
This has the whiff of an upset in the air and Bournemouth will go right at Tottenham early. Son, Maddison and Kulusevski will get chances on the counter and Tottenham have to make the most of them and be clinical. They’ll get the job done. Just. Bournemouth 2-3 Tottenham.
