Sports Mole

Fulham will endeavour to stretch their unbeaten run over Tottenham Hotspur to three matches when they host the Lilywhites at Craven Cottage in Sunday's Premier League London derby.

Marco Silva's men have had a week to mull over their excruciating 2-1 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion, while Spurs saw off AZ Alkmaar to reach the Europa League quarter-finals in midweek, and here Sports Mole rounds up the team news for both clubs.

FULHAM vs. TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

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FULHAM

Out: Reiss Nelson (thigh), Kenny Tete (knee), Harry Wilson (foot), Sasa Lukic (suspended)

Doubtful: Adama Traore (ankle)

Sports Mole's predicted XI: Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Pereira, Berge; Traore, Smith Rowe, Iwobi; Jimenez

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Out: Kevin Danso (hamstring), Radu Dragusin (ACL), Richarlison (calf), Dejan Kulusevski (foot)

Doubtful: None

Sports Mole's predicted XI: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Gray, Udogie; Sarr, Bentancur, Maddison; Odobert, Solanke, Son

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match .

Fresh from what could prove to be a season-saving win in the Europa League, Tottenham Hotspur's final Premier League game before the international break takes place on Sunday, an intriguing London derby away to Fulham.

Ange Postecoglou masterminded a 3-1 win over AZ Alkmaar in Thursday's European contest, while the Cottagers have had a week to reflect on a crushing 2-1 loss at the hands of Brighton & Hove Albion.

Match preview

The man who unforgettably claimed that he "always" wins trophies in his second season with a club could still uphold that statement's accuracy come May, as Postecoglou witnessed his Spurs side complete an expected turnaround over AZ in their Europa League last-16 battle.

Two strikes from Wilson Odobert - including one from a magnificent team passing move - either side of a James Maddison finish earned Tottenham a quarter-final date with 2021-22 champions Eintracht Frankfurt, and a Peer Koopmeiners response from a Tottenham error proved meaningless in the grand scheme.

While Postecoglou will never publicly admit to prioritising one competition over another, the Australian will surely be allocating more of his time to Europa League preparation given that there is realistically very little at stake for Spurs in the Premier League between now and the end of the campaign.

Indeed, the 13th-placed Lilywhites are 12 points below the top-seven spots and 17 points clear of the relegation zone, meaning that a lacklustre top-flight season is likely now a write-off for the North London club, who at least showed guts and guile to draw 2-2 with Bournemouth last week.

Spurs have therefore only lost one of their last five Premier League matches and have won their last two top-flight contests on the road against Brentford and Ipswich Town, but now is the time for the superstitious fans to look away, as Tottenham have been beaten in each of their last five league games just before an international break.

One of those defeats coincidentally came to none other than Fulham this time last year, a harrowing 3-0 slaughter at Craven Cottage, and Marco Silva's men also held their own when they visited the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in December and left with a 1-1 draw.

The Cottagers have remarkably only lost four of their subsequent 18 matches across all competitions, although one of those reverses came at the Amex last weekend, where despite drawing first blood through Raul Jimenez, they succumbed to a Jan Paul van Hecke and Joao Pedro-led revival.

Pedro's penalty in the eighth minute of second-half stoppage time was a devastating blow to Fulham's European aspirations, although the 10th-placed hosts are still very much in the continental mix, only lying four points adrift of the top seven positions.

Consistency at home has been harder to come by for Silva's men in recent weeks, though, as Fulham have also won just one of their last seven Premier League fixtures at their Craven Cottage headquarters, drawing four and losing an additional two in that time.

Furthermore, the Cottagers only have the one clean sheet to show from their last 18 top-flight games on home turf, and that was against whipping boys Southampton in December's goalless draw, offering Spurs significant hope of bucking their pre-international break trend.

Fulham Premier League form:

Fulham form (all competitions):

Tottenham Hotspur Premier League form:

Tottenham Hotspur form (all competitions):

Team News

Tottenham ought to come into Sunday's game with an identical squad from their success over AZ, where Lucas Bergvall appeared to be suffering from cramp in the closing stages, but nothing that should impact his availability for the weekend.

Either way, Postecoglou can recall Rodrigo Bentancur to the midfield after he served a Europa League ban on Thursday, and the Spurs boss is only without Kevin Danso (hamstring), Radu Dragusin (ACL), Richarlison (calf) and Dejan Kulusevski (foot) due to injury.

Danso's problem saw Postecoglou revert to the first-choice Cristian Romero-Micky van de Ven pairing against AZ, but as he is still erring on the side of caution with the latter's fitness, teenage starlet Archie Gray could come back into the XI for the derby.

As far as Fulham are concerned, Reiss Nelson (thigh), Kenny Tete (knee) and Harry Wilson (foot) are all guaranteed to be unavailable for the visit of Spurs, as is Sasa Lukic, who serves the second of a two-game ban for accumulating 10 yellow cards.

Silva opted for an unorthodox three-man defensive shape last week due to the absences of both Lukic and Adama Traore, the latter of whom missed out with an ankle injury, but he is now back in training and in contention to feature.

Traore could make a swift return to the starting XI here, as Silva may not see the need to go conservative against a tired Tottenham outfit who regularly leave gaps in behind their defence ready to be exploited.

Fulham possible starting lineup:

Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Pereira, Berge; Traore, Smith Rowe, Iwobi; Jimenez

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Vicario; Porro, Romero, Gray, Udogie; Sarr, Bentancur, Maddison; Odobert, Solanke, Son

We say: Fulham 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur

Silva's 200th match as a Premier League manager should be good entertainment value for the neutrals, as Fulham can surely afford to adopt an attacking approach against Postecoglou's fatigued men.

However, the Lilywhites have shown increased levels of spirit over the past week and can likely bite back just as hard to claim a well-earned point in a second successive 2-2 top-flight stalemate.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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Tottenham Hotspur will seek to overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit when they welcome AZ Alkmaar to North London in the last 16 of the Europa League on Thursday night.

Lucas Bergvall's own goal is all that separates the two sides, but despite trailing, Ange Postecoglou's men remain the favourites to advance due to the unbeaten start they have made at home in Europe, and the fact AZ have lost on all nine previous trips to England.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR vs. AZ ALKMAAR

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TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Out: Rodrigo Bentancur (suspended), Richarlison (calf), Dejan Kulusevski (ankle), Radu Dragusin (knee), Ben Davies (muscle), Timo Werner (unregistered), Antonin Kinsky (unregistered), Sergio Reguilon (unregistered), Fraser Forster (unregistered)

Doubtful: Micky van de Ven (hamstring)

Sports Mole's predicted XI: Vicario; Pedro Porro, Van de Ven, Romero, Udogie; Bergvall, Gray, Maddison; Johnson, Solanke, Son

AZ ALKMAAR

Out: Sven Mijnans (muscle), Ruben van Bommel (unknown), Jayden Addai (ankle), Mexx Meerdink (unknown)

Doubtful: Mayckel Lahdo (knock), Denso Kasius (knock)

Sports Mole's predicted XI: Owusu-Oduro; Maikuma, Goes, Penetra, Wolfe; Clasie, Buurmeester, Koopmeiners; Poku, Parrott, Sadiq

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match .

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly opened talks with the representatives of Lille midfielder Angel Gomes over a potential free transfer.

Gomes has established a reputation as a strong midfielder in Ligue 1 since joining the club as a free agent following his departure from Man United in the summer of 2020.

The 24-year-old has made 134 competitive appearances for the French club, contributing 10 goals and 19 assists.

Gomes' performance at club level were recognised by England interim boss Lee Carsley, who handed him four caps during his six games in charge before Thomas Tuchel took over the reins at the start of 2025.

However, Gomes has struggled for starting opportunities in recent times and it seems that his stint as Lille player will come to an end this summer.

Spurs open Gomes talks

The England international is free to speak to clubs outside of France, with his contract set to expire at the end of the season.

Manchester United are said to be keen to re-sign their academy product, who made 10 first-team appearances before he left five years ago.

West Ham United are also among Gomes' potential suitors after it was recently reported that they had moved to the front of the queue for the midfielder's signature.

Tottenham now appear to be making moves in the race to sign Gomes, with FootballTransfers reporting that Spurs have already held talks with the player's representatives.

The report claims the North London club view Gomes as a 'key target' as they look to bolster their squad ahead of the 2025-26 season.

Why are Spurs keen to sign Gomes?

Ange Postecoglou has experienced a difficult time in his second season as a Premier League boss, with his side down in 13th place with 34 points from 28 matches.

A length injury list has been a key factor behind Tottenham's struggles this season, which ultimately exposed a lack of strength in depth in Postecoglou's squad.

Spurs will be keen to address that issue in the summer transfer window, and the midfield is one area that could see reinforcements, especially if Yves Bissouma departs this summer.

Bissouma has entered the final 18 months of his contract, with recent speculation suggesting he is one of seven players who could be moved on at the end of the season.

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou has confirmed that Kevin Danso suffered a hamstring injury in the weekend's 2-2 Premier League draw with Bournemouth.

The Austria international came through the full 90 minutes of that four-goal stalemate, where Postecoglou's men fought back from two goals down to hold the Cherries in front of their own fans, but he did not appear entirely comfortable at full time.

Reports later emerged claiming that Danso had hurt his hamstring in North London and would be set for a spell on the sidelines, rumours that Postecoglou confirmed on Wednesday afternoon when speaking to the media ahead of Thursday's Europa League last-16 second leg with AZ Alkmaar.

The Australian did not disclose the severity of Danso's problem, though, saying: "Kevin got a hamstring injury in the last game so he's out. Ben [Davies] is back in. So that's the only change from the weekend. Everyone else got through the game."

Danso has seamlessly slotted into the Spurs backline since joining on loan from Lens during the January transfer window, starting seven games across the Premier League, Europa League, EFL Cup and FA Cup.

The 26-year-old was on the field for the entirety of Tottenham's 1-0 loss to AZ Alkmaar in last week's first-leg defeat, where Postecoglou's side succumbed to an unfortunate Lucas Bergvall own goal.

How can Tottenham replace injured Danso?

As frustrating as Danso's injury is for him, Postecoglou and Spurs supporters - who have no inkling of when he might return - his problem might allow the Tottenham boss to revert to his favoured pairing.

Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven are both back involved again following respective thigh injuries, and the former started in defence alongside Danso during the stalemate with Bournemouth, where Van de Ven replaced him for the final half-hour.

As both players came through that appearance unscathed, there is seemingly a good chance that Postecoglou could pair them up for the second leg, although he has alternatives should he feel the need to err on the side of caution.

Ben Davies's return offers Postecoglou another solution at the back, while Archie Gray has also earned plaudits for his displays in a central role this season, and the teenager would join Marcus Rashford in an exclusive Europa League club if he plays on Thursday.

Danso is one of four Tottenham players on the treatment table alongside Dejan Kulusevski (foot), Radu Dragusin (ACL) and Richarlison (calf), while Rodrigo Bentancur is suspended for the second leg on account of picking up three yellow cards in the Europa League.

Following Thursday's visit of AZ, Tottenham's final game before the international break sees them travel to Fulham for a Premier League London derby on Sunday afternoon.

Tottenham Hotspur youngster Archie Gray could make Europa League history and join Marcus Rashford in an exclusive club against AZ Alkmaar on Thursday night.

The Lilywhites are under pressure to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg of their last-16 tie, having succumbed to defeat in the Netherlands last week courtesy of a Lucas Bergvall own goal.

Gray played the full 90 in that slender loss at the AFAS Stadion and has remarkably not missed a single minute of Europa League football for Spurs in the 2024-25 season, where his services have been invaluable.

Thanks to Tottenham's prior injury crisis at the back, the former Leeds United protege has already played 36 times in all competitions this season and has been deployed all across the backline in the Europa League.

After he was rested for the weekend's 2-2 draw with Bournemouth in the Premier League, Gray seemingly has a good chance of coming back into the starting lineup on Thursday, where he would make history by doing so.

Gray could achieve unprecedented Europa League feat against AZ

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Having already appeared from the off in Spurs' nine Europa League contests so far this season, Gray could now become the first English teenager to start 10 games in the competition in a single campaign.

Furthermore, only one English teenager has ever appeared in at least 10 Europa League matches in a single season before; Rashford featured 11 times for Manchester United in the 2016-17 edition.

However, the attacker only started eight of those fixtures - including the 2-0 win over Ajax in the final - and was brought off the bench in a further three continental matches by Jose Mourinho.

Gray's hopes of making history against AZ have received a boost thanks to a reported injury for January signing Kevin Danso, who is understood to have hurt his hamstring in the weekend's clash with Bournemouth.

The Lens loanee joins long-term ACL absentee Radu Dragusin on the sidelines, although Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero are both fit and raring to go again following lengthy absences.

History suggests Tottenham will prevail in AZ second leg

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Spurs may have put up little resistance in the first leg, but Ange Postecoglou got a measure of the response he was looking for in the second half of Sunday's battle with Bournemouth, as his side came from two goals down to draw.

Europa League history suggests that Tottenham will similarly be able to turn the tide against AZ Alkmaar, who have lost each of their previous nine away games against English teams in European competition.

With nine losses from nine such matches, AZ possess the worst losing record in European away games against English sides out of any club in history, while Spurs seldom fail to deliver in front of goal.

Indeed, the Lilywhites have managed to score in each of their last 29 home matches in the Europa League, including every one at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and the last time they drew a blank in such circumstances was in 2012, a goalless draw with Lazio at White Hart Lane.

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Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly leaning towards a certain decision regarding Ange Postecoglou's future should the club exit the Europa League on Thursday night.

With 10 points having been accumulated from their last five Premier League games, there is an argument that Spurs are back on an upward trajectory.

However, at a time when they remain in 13th place in the top-flight table, the North Londoners are also trailing AZ Alkmaar by a 1-0 deficit ahead of the second leg of their Europa League last-16 tie.

Realistically requiring victory in the competition to secure European qualification for 2024-25, the fixture at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is viewed as the biggest of Spurs' season thus far.

Pressure has been growing on Postecoglou for some time, the Greek-Australian having suffered widespread injury issues to key players yet still having overseen a number of unexpected defeats.

What is Spurs' plan for Postecoglou?

If Spurs fail to overcome AZ on Thursday night, there will naturally be question marks over Postecoglou's longevity in the Spurs dugout.

Nevertheless, according to Football Insider, there are currently no plans to part ways with the 59-year-old at the present time.

The report suggests that club officials intend to retain the services of Postecoglou until at least the end of the season when they will then review the situation.

Furthermore, it is alleged that there is belief that Spurs can improve over the next two-and-a-half months now that more players are available for selection.

As it stands, that perception may change if Spurs do not impress against their Eredivisie opponents, who have had a full week to prepare for their trip to London.

Potential successor identified?

A report earlier this week claimed that Spurs' hierarchy had placed Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi as a possible replacement for Postecoglou.

Inzaghi has spent his entire playing and managerial career in Italy, yet the job that he is doing at San Siro is attracting an increasing number of admirers.

That said, there is no possibility of the 48-year-old contemplating an exit from Inter before the end of the season when his side are bidding to achieve the treble.

Tottenham Hotspur will need to overturn a first-leg deficit against AZ Alkmaar in North London in the Europa League on Thursday night if they are to keep any hopes of silverware this season alive.

Lucas Bergvall's freak own goal is all that separates the sides following last Thursday's clash in the Netherlands, with a place in the quarter-finals against Eintracht Frankfurt or Ajax up for grabs.

Match preview

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The defeat last week for Spurs means they have now won just one of their previous nine first-leg away matches in Europe, with the solitary success coming in the last 32 of this competition against Wolfsburger behind closed doors in 2021.

This has rapidly become the most important game of the season for manager Ange Postecoglou, whose promise of winning a trophy this season is under serious threat.

FA and EFL Cup glory have both fallen by the wayside recently, leaving the Europa League as their only remaining opportunity to end the near-two-decade wait for silverware.

Spurs ended the league phase in fourth, and took 10 points from a possible 12 at home, including a 1-0 win over AZ, so there will not be many people panicking ahead of this one, despite the current deficit.

Keeping things tight at the back could be the key, because the hosts have scored in each of their previous 29 Europa League home matches - a competition record - meaning the goals should take care of themselves, but keeping them out at the other end has proven troublesome.

Bournemouth scored twice at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, and Postecoglou's side were fortunate not to be more than 2-0 down before their late fightback.

That point keeps them down in 13th, 10 points off the top eight, so most of their focus will now be on Europe, and they are the favourites, especially considering they have won four of their last five home matches against Dutch clubs.

The only exception in that run was when Ajax won 1-0 here in the 2019 Champions League semi-finals, but Spurs still advanced to the final following the dramatic late comeback in Amsterdam.

For AZ, there was very little down for them ahead of this first leg, but they ended a 10-game winless run against English sides by beating Spurs a week ago.

However, they remain the big outsiders, because they have lost on all nine of their previous trips to England in Europe - the worst such 100% losing run any club has suffered in European football history.

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Form on the road in general is worrisome for Maarten Martens's side, because AZ have not won any of their last 10 away games on the continent, and they will equal their worst-ever streak if they fail to win again in this one.

Fortunately for the visitors, they were allowed to postpone their league fixture against Waalwijk at the weekend to give them the maximum time possible to prepare for this one.

It has been an astonishingly good 2025 for the AZ supporters so far, excelling on three fronts, as they beat Turkish giants Galatasaray 6-3 on aggregate to get this far.

Since losing to Ferencvaros on matchday eight of the league phase, AZ have won seven of their nine matches across all competitions, keeping them in the race for the top three in the Eredivisie.

The biggest win of them all was against Heracles Almelo in the semi-finals of the KNVB Beker though, setting up a shot at silverware against Go Ahead Eagles in the final next month.

Tottenham Hotspur Europa League form:

Tottenham Hotspur form (all competitions):

AZ Alkmaar Europa League form:

AZ Alkmaar form (all competitions):

Team News

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Spurs will be without midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur after his yellow card in the first leg has triggered a one-match suspension, but with Archie Gray and Bergvall only named as substitutes at the weekend, Postecoglou has more than enough options to cover.

Micky van den Ven and Cristian Romero both returned from lengthy absences at the weekend and could well be the starting duo at centre-back here, especially with Radu Dragusin and Ben Davies both out injured.

Dejan Kulusevski is the big miss at present for Tottenham, because the Swede has contributed to 20 goals across all competitions this season, while Richarlison, who scored the only goal when they beat AZ in the league phase, is also currently sidelined.

AZ will be without Mayckel Lahdo after he was forced off inside just 10 minutes during the first leg, and his replacement, Denso Kasius, also had to be withdrawn shortly after the hour mark.

Those two will join influential duo Sven Mijnans and Ruben van Bommel on the sidelines, while young attacking pair Jayden Addai and Mexx Meerdink are also out injured.

Former Spurs boy Troy Parrott should lead the line again, hoping to score against the club where he broke through as a youngster, after failing to do so in their two previous meetings this season.

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Vicario; Pedro Porro, Van de Ven, Romero, Udogie; Bergvall, Gray, Maddison; Johnson, Solanke, Son

AZ Alkmaar possible starting lineup:

Owusu-Oduro; Maikuma, Goes, Penetra, Wolfe; Clasie, Buurmeester, Koopmeiners; Poku, Parrott, Sadiq

We say: Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 AZ Alkmaar

Spurs have been very good at home in Europe this season, barring a few nervy minutes at the end against Roma, scoring nine goals in their four league phase matches here, and the team will be under no illusions over how important this match is for their season.

AZ have lost on all previous nine trips to England, and while they will certainly get chances in front of goal here, they will feel as though they missed a big opportunity not winning by more goals in the first leg, where they were largely dominant.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly identified another potential successor to head coach Ange Postecoglou.

The Greek-Australian has found himself under constant pressure during the 2024-25 campaign courtesy of Spurs' poor performance in the Premier League.

Despite registered 10 points from their last five games, Spurs still sit in 13th place in the standings, 10 points adrift of eighth position.

Furthermore, last week's 1-0 reverse to AZ Alkmaar in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie has led to heightened speculation over how long Postecoglou may remain at the helm.

In the short term, it will take Spurs overturning that deficit versus the Eredivisie outfit to quieten talk over a departure during the March international break.

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Italian coach earmarked as successor?

According to Tuttosport, chairman Daniel Levy is said to have earmarked Inter Milan manager Simone Inzaghi as a possible replacement.

The 48-year-old has forged a reputation as one of the best Italian managers over the past decade, initially spending five years with Lazio where he lifted a Coppa Italia trophy and won two Supercoppa Italianas.

However, it is his spell with Inter that has cemented his reputation, winning six pieces of silverware - including a Serie A title - and reaching the 2023 Champions League final.

Inter currently sit at the top of the top-flight standings and are also closing in on a last-eight place in the Champions League, Inzaghi winning 132 of his 199 matches in charge.

Levy and other Spurs officials have reportedly been left impressed by Inzaghi's impact and longevity at San Siro, leading to the possibility of an approach between now and the end of the season.

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Spurs left with a dilemma

As long as Spurs are participating in the Europa League, they will not contemplate a change in the dugout, but they may be eliminated from that competition as soon as Thursday.

A London derby with Fulham follows three days later before the start of the March international break, a period in which could be viewed as a window to make a change.

That said, there is no chance of Inzaghi being tempted away from Inter at this stage of the campaign, the summer representing the first real chance to hold any level of negotiations.

On that note, it is questionable whether there is any value in parting ways with Postecoglou until the end of the season at the earliest, particularly when key players have just returned from injury.

Tottenham Hotspur fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Bournemouth in an enthralling Premier League affair in North London.

The boos at half time told the story of a turgid opening 45 minutes from Tottenham, whose number one Guglielmo Vicario was called into action inside the opening 20 seconds after Spurs sloppily gave the ball away.

That would be the theme for the entire opening period, and one such mistake from the hosts allowed Marcus Tavernier to break the deadlock after one of the assists of the season from Milos Kerkez.

A frenetic start to the second period saw Justin Kluivert have a well-worked goal disallowed, but Andoni Iraola's side soon got the second that their endeavour deserved through a delicate Evanilson dink.

However, a freak Pape Sarr goal immediately after put the hosts right back in contention, before Son Heung-min both won and scored a penalty to complete the Lilywhites' praiseworthy second-half turnaround.

Spurs remain entrenched in the bottom half of the Premier League rankings despite their gutsy fightback, though, lying 13th and eight and points off the top half, while eighth-placed Bournemouth are five points below the Champions League places.

SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT

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Was this a case of Tottenham gaining one point thanks to a terrific turnaround or a case of Bournemouth dropping two points thanks to some fatal carelessness?

Most likely the latter, but Spurs took full advantage of their visitors' drop-off to create their own luck in the second half following an opening period that could hardly have gone worse for an already under-pressure Ange Postecoglou.

The Australian had a justifiable excuse for his team's poor displays over the winter amid their injury crisis, but there was no hiding place for a strong squad in the first 45, where they gave the ball away at will and were eventually made to pay for it.

However, Postecoglou arguably got the response he would have been after from Spurs' shocking Europa League loss to AZ Alkmaar in the midweek, even if neither Sarr nor Son's strikes were of the orthodox variety.

As for Bournemouth, Sunday's point could still prove to be a precious one in their fight for European football, but the Cherries will surely wonder how they let victory slip from their grasp, as a Tottenham comeback appeared to be the last thing on the cards with 65 minutes gone.

TOTTENHAM VS. BOURNEMOUTH HIGHLIGHTS

Marcus Tavernier goal vs. Tottenham (47th min, Tottenham 0-1 Bournemouth)

Chalk and cheese from both sets of full-backs, and Bournemouth are ahead thanks to one of the best assists you will see all season!

Pedro Porro surges up the field before lazily gifting possession to Kerkez, who sprints forward into the open space vacated by the Tottenham right-back.

The Hungarian gets his head up and delivers an outstanding cross to the back post, where Tavernier gets in ahead of Djed Spence to guide an exquisite volley across goal and into the side of the net - a magnificent goal all-round!

Justin Kluivert goal vs. Tottenham (65th min, Tottenham 0-2 Bournemouth)

A goal that encapsulates what Bournemouth are all about! The lively Kluivert expertly lets the ball run across his body before slipping in Evanilson.

The Brazilian just about keeps himself in line with the last defender and nonchalantly lifts the ball over the onrushing Vicario to double the visitors' advantage!

Pape Sarr goal vs. Bournemouth (67th min, Tottenham 1-2 Bournemouth)

Was it a shot? Was it a cross? Whatever it was, it has given Tottenham a lifeline!

Just two minutes after Kluivert's goal, Bournemouth are caught out on the right-hand side, as Sarr is allowed to saunter into space and delivers a cross-cum-shot that loops over Kepa Arrizabalaga, strikes the inside of the post and bounces into the back of the net!

Only he will know whether that was intentional - for what it is worth, I think it was - and Spurs have a glimmer of hope out of nothing!

Son Heung-min penalty goal vs. Bournemouth (84th min, Tottenham 2-2 Bournemouth)

Forty-five minutes is a long time in football, as Tottenham demonstrate with a late equaliser through their skipper! James Maddison plays in Son with a delightful through ball, and the South Korean just gets in ahead of Kepa, who dives at his feet and brings him down.

Referee John Brooks has no doubt in his mind and points to the spot right away, and even though Son appears to mess up a panenka attempt, Kepa goes the wrong way and the hosts complete their comeback!

MAN OF THE MATCH - MARCUS TAVERNIER

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The moment of the match may belong to Kerkez and his extraordinary first-half assist, but the goalscorer himself Tavernier deserves just as much credit for putting the ball away with aplomb, and the attacker put himself about all afternoon.

Tavernier excelled on the playmaking front as well as the goalscoring front, creating three chances, completing two accurate long passes from two attempts and also putting in four tackles before being substituted in the 81st minute.

TOTTENHAM VS. BOURNEMOUTH MATCH STATS

Possession: Tottenham 61%-39% Bournemouth

Shots: Tottenham 12-17 Bournemouth

Shots on target: Tottenham 4-8 Bournemouth

Corners: Tottenham 3-6 Bournemouth

Fouls: Tottenham 15-16 Bournemouth

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WHAT NEXT?

The games continue coming thick and fast for Tottenham, who are under pressure to reverse a 1-0 deficit against AZ Alkmaar in Thursday's Europa League last-16 second leg, before travelling to London rivals Fulham next Sunday in the top flight.

Meanwhile, Bournemouth's final game before the upcoming international break sees Iraola's team welcome Brentford to the Vitality Stadium next Saturday at 5.30pm.

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