5 December 2024
Bournemouth 1 Tottenham 0
This had all the makings of a great game. Bournemouth had shown that they can go round-for-round with the big boys at the Vitality Stadium this campaign. Tottenham themselves had some big scalps on their resume, most notably a 4-0 win at The Etihad against Man City. The problem for Ange Postecoglou’s side was replicating that form every week.
The visitors almost broke the deadlock, in the worst way possible for Cherries’ fans. A long ball over the top set Solanke off towards goal. He used his strength well to hold off the defender but his finish was something that pleased the home fans more than the away end. He shanked his shot high into the stands when he really should have been at least testing the keeper.
Bournemouth started to put the pressure on themselves. As the ball was passed into the box, Tottenham struggled badly to clear their lines. After ricocheting off a few players, it dropped to the feet of Evanilson. He reacted quickly and got his shot off but Forster made himself big and blocked well at the near post. Big chance for the hosts went begging.
As the following corner came in, Huijsen ghosted in at the back post and had a completely free header. He directed it perfectly to the opposite corner and gave The Cherries the lead. The Vitality Stadium erupted as the ball hit the back of the net. There is nothing they love more this season than beating the so-called big boys at home.
It comes to something when new words are entered into the urban dictionary because of you. The phrase ‘Spursy’ has been coined over the last decade or so. The definition says the ability to capitulate for no apparent reason. Ange Postecoglou must be a ball of anxiety since he took this job over, it is enough so send anyone to Arkham.
Back in the days of Pochettino and Bale, Spurs had made them a regular contender for the top four. Now they are the also-rans. They will not pay for that stadium as quickly playing against Latvian mink farmers in the Europa Conference League, it is not cutting the mustard. It would take some of the greatest minds on the planet to try and work out what the answer is and they are better off focussing on saving this planet instead.
Forster was keeping Tottenham in the game by this stage. As another viciously hit cross came into a sea of players, it struck Tavernier and headed towards goal. The Spurs’ keeper showed great reactions to stick out a left hand to deny him. The big man was showing his worth to Postecoglou with Vicario due for some time out on the sidelines.
After the break The Cherries should have doubled their lead. A ball out to the right saw Kluivert knock the ball around Udogie and take him on in a foot race. The Dutch attacker left him for dead as he headed towards goal. With only the keeper to beat, his finish was less impressive as he hit it too close to Forster who managed to deflect it over the crossbar.
The visitors forced a corner and Maddison came over to take it. As he swung his cross in, it was headed clear to the edge of the box. Porro was running into the area and hit it first time. Fortunately, Kepa got down well to make a good save to deny him. He caught it so sweetly it was a brilliant reaction save from the Spaniard.
As the Cherries looked to find another goal to give them some breathing space. As the ball was knocked down into the path of Christie, he pulled the trigger from the edge of the box. It seemed to have Forster beaten but clipped the edge of the post and went wide. So close to sealing the victory for Andoni Iraola’s team.
The Spurs keeper almost went from hero to zero. His pass was intercepted by Adams who strode into the box. Forster came off his line quickly as he looked to block in the style of Peter Schmeichel. He got it all right as he smothered the Bournemouth midfielder’s effort. Evanilson was on hand to knock the loose ball into the net but it was ruled out for offside.
As the replay showed, it was the correct decision. There was nothing he could have done about it, the ball came at him to so quickly. Towards the end of the game Tavernier should have scored The Cherries second but skied it over the bar from about six yards out. Fortunately Iraola’s side managed to hold on for the win and the all-important three points.
This was another performance and result to drive Postecoglou straight down to his wine cellar when he got home. We are assuming he has one but anyone with a TV would request that in your accommodation if you had ever seen Spurs play when accepting the job. Bournemouth moved above Tottenham in the league with this victory.
Tottenham fans may think the January transfer window has all the answers for them. It really doesn’t. It seems to be a mentality problem in North London as we have seen it under multiple managers with very different playing squads. They could do with a therapist and not an attacking midfielder, defender or striker.
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