Cristian Stellini said after the Brighton game last weekend: “We have to play the final eight games like they are eight finals”, however, Spurs couldn’t get past the first final after his side lost 3-2 in the final attack of the game to relegation candidates Bournemouth this afternoon.
Tottenham started the game on the front foot with Ivan Perisic being the standout performer from the first half after a mesmerising performance on the left-hand side for Tottenham. Mepham and Stephens were tormented by which saw him set the tone for the best part of the first half.
Spurs had an influx of early chances mainly coming from wide positions which saw Kulusevski capitalise on a mistake from Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto which was unfortunately blocked by Stephens.
Kulusevski again found himself emerging in the action after the corner from his blocked shot after the ball fell to him in the 11th minute and he nearly hit a stunner, sending the stadium into a gathered silence as the ball just drifted wide from the far corner.
Spurs built on this early momentum. Pereseic was set free to run into space by an inch-perfect ball from Lenglet (who unfortunately had to come off in the 33rd minute replaced by Davidson Sanchez) and the persistent torment by Peresic continued as he found Son in space to stroke home the well-worked goal.
Tottenham seemed to be on top. Having 10 shots in the first half. Son is finally finding his feet after a long season. He grabbed the game by its collar and laid off Kane who unlike the talisman was blasted over the bar, followed by a few half chances for Son.
MORE SPURS STORIES
The Cherries had a couple of pot shots through Christie and a stunning shot from Taverner in the 28th minute which seemed to be the catalyst for an improved performance from the visitors.
A mistake by new signing Pedro Porro was capitalised upon by Billing who won the ball and set through Matias Vina in his first start for Bournemouth who subtly chipped the ball over a stretched-out Lloris bobbled into the back of the net against the run of play.
Collective groans followed suit despite a convincing first-half performance for Spurs who can’t seem to shake off the ‘Spursy’ nickname – a foreshadowing of things to come. The first half ended 1-1 with Spurs being the better team by a big stretch.
Bournemouth started the better of the two teams with Solanke netting from a mistake by Davinson Sanchez in the 50th minute. A very poor goal to concede for Spurs, a gift for Bournemouth.
After such a good half display it was clear the fans were not impressed with the lacklustre start that Tottenham produced which boasted the question of what was said at half time. It was clear that Bournemouth’s late first-half goal put a spanner in the works for Tottenham.
Perhaps the loudest cheer of the afternoon was when Davinson Sanchez got subbed off for former Bournemouth player Danjuma. Sanchez looked distraught when coming off which wasn’t helped by the fact the stadium celebrated it like a goal.
I’m sure this short display won’t sit too fondly with him, a woeful cameo.
The joys of a Sanchez substitution seemed to lift even the team, in fact in fairness to Stellini it was a good substitution with Danjuma lifting the flat atmosphere.
It wouldn’t be a proper Spurs game without VAR controversy which will be talked about as a dubious decision saw referee Andrew Madley give what seemed to be a push in the back on Harry Kane a no-foul.
Spurs continued to display sloppy defending with Bournmouth found their best chance of the second half fall in the 74th minute. Jaidon Anthony nicked the ball from Romero and had a shot from a tight angle, no goal.
Kane had a great chance to settle the scores as even but he couldn’t get his header on target in the 70th minute.
Tottenham had some hope however, with Richarlison scoring a lucky goal only for it to be ruled as being offside against Danjuma. Joys to sorrows in a manner of seconds.
However, former Cherry Danjuma fired home in the 88th minute and made it clear that there was no love left former side. It was a smart finish from the edge of the penalty area which was of course checked by VAR as Kane was stood in a position that could’ve deemed him to be offside.
Six minutes were added that raised the atmosphere through the roof. There was plenty of time for a winner as Spurs left everything on the pitch. They battled for every ball, every second ball, and every tackle.
The golden chance came from a corner that really should’ve been a Richarlison goal. The Brazilian just couldn’t get his header on target, the ball tiptoed wide.
With the final attack of the game falling to Bournemouth, two attackers on four defenders somehow found a way through in the 95th minute. The stadium stood still, the fans leaving turned their heads with looks of despair. Ouattara slotted home after another dismal display of defending from Tottenham.
What a twist at both ends of the table. Tottenham blew the lead and the draw with a poor show of defending.
Keep up to date with all the latest Tottenham news and opinion by following SpursWeb’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.
