Just when there were questions regarding their winning mentality and the overdependence on Harry Kane, Tottenham Hotspur bounced back from being a goal down to score four past Bournemouth.
The Vitality Stadium was buzzing with support as the fans sensed that they might have a chance to secure at least a draw against the high-flying Spurs. However, some frantic defending by Eddie Howe’s men in the dying embers of the game meant that they gifted the game to the Lilywhites.
Hugo Lloris: 7/10
Lloris was confident inside the box and dealt with Bournemouth’s crosses well as he made a couple of crucial diving saves in both the halves.
Serge Aurier: 8/10
Aurier was defensively solid and won the physical battle on his flank. He dominated the game going forward too as his cross for the assist and finish for the goal was clinical too.
Davinson Sanchez: 6/10
Sanchez struggled when left in one-on-one situations as he failed to read the game like he usually does. However, he was solid in set pieces and was still a strong presence at the back.
Jan Vertonghen: 8/10
In a game when Sanchez struggled a lot, Vertonghen was at his usual calm best and controlled the proceedings of the game from the back. He intercepted attacks and played some brilliant cross-field balls to remain a crucial deep-lying figure on the field.
Danny Rose: 5/10
Rose hasn’t been starting frequently this season and hence the rustiness was there to see as he failed to read the game properly and could have reacted well in the build-up to Bournemouth’s goal. He was erratic going forward as well.
Moussa Dembele: 7/10
Dembele was a constant figure in the midfield, as he glided past opponents with such relative ease that was beneficial from Spurs’ perspective as it handed them a better hold in the midfield. The Belgian constantly won back the ball and linked up the play effectively.
Victor Wanyama: 6/10
The Kenyan still looks out of touch as he struggled to get into the game and was a bit too slow to react to attacks at times. Eased into the game eventually.
Christian Eriksen: 7/10
The Dane dropped back deep to initiate attacks and worked well with the space afforded to them by Bournemouth. He played some brilliant passes to Alli and Son and was a constant menace to Bournemouth’s defence.
Dele Alli: 8/10
Alli was extremely influential going forward as he linked up and brought in more cohesion after Kane’s departure. Led the attacks well and was the figure around whom the entire team functioned in the other half.
Son Heung-Min: 8/10
Son truly is one of the most underrated finishers in the Premier League. The Korean was omnipresent in the attacking half as his touches, flicks, and finesse added a dimension to Spurs’ game.
Harry Kane: NA
The extent of his injury is unknown and the fans, as well as his teammates, will be curious to know how serious the issue is.
Substitutes
Erik Lamela: 7/10
Injected a lot of pace and energy from the flanks.
Kieran Trippier: 7/10
Immediately impacted the proceedings by sending in a cross for Aurier to head in the goal.
Moussa Sissoko: N.A