Harry Kane made a brilliant comeback from an ankle injury as he scored his 20th league goal of the season to inspire Tottenham Hotspur to a 4-0 win over Bournemouth. It was an easy evening for the Premier League title chasers as the Cherries had no answers for a professional display from the team second in the table against a team which is scarily close to being involved in the relegation battle.
Moussa Dembele started the home team’s onslaught as Heung-Min Son doubled their advantage to take the score to 2-0 at half time. Harry Kane secured the victory just after the break while Vincent Janssen scored on the cusp of the final whistle to complete the demolition. Here are the three talking points from Tottenham Hotspur’s 4-0 win over the struggling Eddie Howe’s side.
1. Tottenham’s bench strength is arguably the best in the league
The North London side struggled previously because of a depleted squad but that has not been the case this time around. Spurs have one of the most balanced squads in the Premier League which is reflected by the fact that last fixture’s player of the game – Kieran Trippier was on the bench last night against the Cherries. Ben Davies has also been decent on the left flank in Rose’s absence.
Heung-Min Son, the player who was considered as the club’s attacking option from the bench has been terrific and has already scored 19 goals in all competitions. He also has eight assists to his name with the South Korean currently being at the top of his game. It is because of this very reason that Spurs are there at the top challenging Chelsea for the league title.
2. Harry Kane back with a bang
After missing almost a month of games for his side, Kane netted his first goal after coming back and also provided an assist for Son’s goal. It was his 25th goal in all competitions as the striker has been Spurs’ talisman this season. Though the Lilywhites won all of their four games in Kane’s absence, scoring ten goals on the way, it was his arrival which brought the swagger back in their attacks.
He elevates the players around him and has been crucial in getting the best out of the likes of Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen. At this rate, one will keep him as the favourite to win the golden boot award ahead of Everton’s Romelu Lukaku.
3. The pressure is on Chelsea after their result
Tottenham have not dropped their intensity levels and are fighting neck and neck with Antonio Conte’s men to stay in the hunt when and if Chelsea slip up. The Blues faced a well-drilled Manchester United side and were beaten by the so-called ‘Judas’ Jose Mourinho who plotted their fall in a typical manner.
With Spurs winning their matches easily and Chelsea just about getting their results, you can almost smell a momentum shift in the title race. It’s going to be an enthralling end with the Champions League battle heating up as well. Perhaps Spurs can totally reduce Chelsea’s morale next weekend when the two face each other in the FA Cup final.
