Ange Postecoglou lives to fight another day, as Spurs showed some of the fighting spirit they have lacked in recent weeks to come back from 2-0 down to hold Bournemouth, who were ultimately frustrated as they chase a place in Europe.
Leading by two goals with 25 minutes to play, and the better side from the start, Andoni Iraola's men must see this as a missed opportunity, while Postecoglou can reflect on his positive second-half substitutions sparking a Spurs resurgence.
After Marcus Tavernier and Evanilson had put the Cherries in charge, Pape Matar Sarr and a penalty from Heung Min Son brought Tottenham back into get a draw that eases the pressure on Postecoglou.
Spurs are still in the bottom half of the table, and their only hope of success rests on progressing in the Europa League. Trailing 1-0 to AZ Alkmaar, they face the second leg at home on Thursday and must hope to play like they did in the second-half here, not the first.
The biggest surprise was that it took Bournemouth 42 minutes to score, so poor were Spurs in the opening half. Cristian Romero's return from a three-month injury layoff was greeted with a roar by Spurs supporters, but within minutes it was clear that the Argentine was ring-rusty.
Only 20 seconds had elapsed before he passed sideways to Evanilson, whose low shot was well saved by Guglielmo Vicario. Ten minutes later Romero gave the ball away again, and when Rodrigo Bentancur did the same, Vicario again saved well to deny Justin Kluivert.
Spurs were a shambles. Southampton have found out the hard way that the risks outweigh the rewards of trying to play out from the back without the right players to do so, but Ange Postecoglou persists with this approach.
Once again Tottenham's problems were primarily of their own making, losing possession time and time again. Tavernier's goal, three minutes before half-time, was a case in point.
Pedro Porro, another senior player whose performances have dipped alarmingly, led a break into the Bournemouth half, but his tame pass towards Brennan Johnson was easily cut out by Milos Kerkez, who charged down the left flank before delivering a delicious, curling cross the far post that Tavernier converted with a sliding finish.
It was exactly what Bournemouth deserved for their bright, smart football, with Iraola showing why he he is being talked about as one of Tottenham's target to replace Postecoglou.
The Spurs manager had opted for a workmanlike midfield, dropping James Maddison and Lucas Bergvall along with captain Son, but it meant Spurs carried little attacking threat.
Dominic Solanke, who scored 21 goals for Bournemouth last season before his record-breaking transfer to Tottenham, was given precious little service, and one glancing header that was easily saved by Kepa was his only effort on goal.
Spurs were booed off at half-time, and Postecoglou responded by sending on Bergvall, and Son, who went close with a shot that was tipped round the far post. Justin Kluivert had a goal ruled out for offside after a VAR review, before setting up Evanilson to make it 2-0 with a delightful clipped finish in the 65th minute, lifting his shot over Vicario.
That should have been it, but Spurs showed there is spirit in the side, despite their travails. Pape Matar Sarr pulled one goal back a minute later with what appeared to be a mis-hit cross from the right that flew in off Kepa's far post.
Maddison, another substitute, then put Son in, and when Kepa sent the Korean flying, referee John Brooks pointed to the penalty spot. Son sent him the wrong way to set up frantic final ten minutes.
Tottenham Hotspur (4-3-3): Vicario 7; Porro 5, Romero 4, Danso 6, Spence 7; Sarr 6, Bissouma 5, Bentancur 5; Johnson 5, Solanke 5, Odobert 6.
Bournemouth (4-4-2): Kepa 6; Cook 7, Hill 7, Huijsen 7, Kerkez 8 Tavernier 7, Christie 6, Adams 6, Kluivert 7; Evanilson 7, Semenyo 6.
Referee: John Brooks 7.