Pressure was mounting on Tottenham Hotspur as they returned home to take on a firing Bournemouth side. With players returning from injury, the long-awaited return to form had not quite eventuated as some had expected, with Spurs instead struggling to find cohesion and consistency. It was the largely the same story against the Cherries, but with a different result, as Spurs showed fight to wrestle their way back into a match they seemed out of and secure a point in a match in which they were largely second-best.
There was some rotation from Ange Postecoglou, perhaps as an attempt to find some form, or maybe with a view to Thursday’s Europa League second leg. Captain Son Heung-min was rested, with Wilson Odobert starting in his place; Dominic Solanke shook off a late knock to reclaim his starting berth up top; Lucas Bergvall and James Maddison sat for Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr; Pedro Porro came in for Destiny Udogie; and lastly, Cristian Romero returned to the side following a lengthy injury lay-off.
It was an ignominious return initially from the Argentine, however, as an early giveaway called Guglielmo Vicario into action in a moment that was somewhat of an omen of what was to come, with Spurs often playing architects of their own demise. Giveaways from the Lilywhites were an effective creator for Bournemouth, and that was the case for the opening goal. With Spurs pushing forward in attack, an underhit pass by Pedro Porro was well-read and intercepted by Milos Kerkez, who then pushed forward into space and delivered an inch-perfect cross from the left just over the head of Kevin Danso. Marcus Tavernier, who had lost his man in the shape of Djed Spence, timed his run well and met the ball first time to score the first half’s solitary goal.
Postecoglou was clearly unhappy with the first half performance, making two half-time switches as Bergvall and Son came in for Bissouma and Brennan Johnson. Normal service resumed, however, as a scintillating Bournemouth counter saw Tavernier put the ball in the net a second time, with Spurs’ blushes only spared thanks to a VAR-adjudged offside call.
A pair of rare bright moments for Spurs saw Micky van de Ven replace Romero in another return from injury, and James Maddison enter the fray as Spurs searched for an elusive equalizer. They nearly had one, too, as James Maddison teed up Sarr who hooked his shot from near the penalty spot wide. Instead, it was Bournemouth who added to the scoresheet as clever movement and passing from Justin Kluivert pulled the Spurs defense out of shape and opened up space for Evanilson to sneak in and chip a shot over a despairing Vicario.
Sarr soon made amends for his profligacy, however, as Spurs halved the deficit. The Lilywhites recycled possession after Lucas Bergvall clattered the post, and it made its way to the Senegalese midfielder out on the right. He drove forward before looping an effort from wide over the head of Kepa Arrizabalaga. It was a stunning finish and created a glimmer of hope for Spurs fans.
That glimmer soon became a spark, as Kepa was embarrassed once more. Direct football from Spurs played creator, as James Maddison played a pass forward looking for the run of Son. The South Korean knocked his touch past the Bournemouth keeper, who had rushed off his line and slid in in an attempt to win the ball and instead only succeeded in collecting Son and conceding a penalty. Spurs’ captain stepped up and duly dispatched the spot kick, calmly waiting for Kepa to dive left before passing it into the net the other way.
With neither side able to break the deadlock late on, Tottenham Hotspur finished the match probably the happier of the two sides, fighting back to secure a 2-2 draw.
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