Son shines as Spurs come from behind to thump Bournemouth

Spurs went into the game looking to prove that they were not suffering from a European hangover following their Champions League exit in midweek and they got off to the worst possible start.

With just four minutes on the clock, Bournemouth should have been in the lead. Lys Mousset raced away clean and unselfishly fed Junior Stanislas, but as he looked to dink the ball over the onrushing Hugo Lloris he got too much on his effort and it game crashing back off the bar.

The winger made amends just three minutes later though as he gathered Adam Smith’s cross form the right at the far post and drilled low past Lloris to open the scoring and give the hosts a surprise lead.

Bournemouth were good value for their lead early on as they regularly isolated Davinson Sanchez by having Lewis Cook feed Callum Wilson with balls into the channels.

- Kane blow - 

As the half went on though, Spurs grew into the game and they thought they were level when Harry Kane turned home Christian Eriksen’s cross with half an hour gone, only to be denied by the offside flag.

The disallowed goal was the least of Spurs’ worries though as Kane fell awkwardly putting the ball in the net and was forced off with a suspected ankle problem.

Despite the setback, Spurs were soon level. With 35 minutes gone Son Heung-Min set Serge Aurier away down he right and his early cross was perfect for Dele Alli to bundle home from close range.

 

11 March 2018

Former Tottenham man Adam Smith saw a fierce effort fade just wide as the half drew to a close, whilst Eriksen was denied at the other end by Asmir Begovic as the two sides went into the break level.

The hosts started the second half on the front foot, with Simon Francis forcing Lloris into a fine save with a pile-driver from the edge of the area, whilst Nathan Ake came close when Aurier headed a corner against the Dutchman.

Dan Gosling wasted a fine shooting opportunity after being teed up by Stanislas, managing only to drag the ball wide from the edge of the box.

With 65 minutes on the clock, Bournemouth were made to pay for not scoring whilst they were on top as Spurs took the lead. Alli crossed from the left and Son was on hand to scuff home his sixth goal in four games at the far post to put his side in control.

The home side started to throw more bodies forward from that moment, giving Spurs more space on the counter.

Francis again went close from range, this time firing just over, before Callum Wilson saw a goal correctly chalked off for a push on Sanchez.

- Late sucker punch - 

As the game drew to a close Spurs did manage to add some gloss to the scoreline, with Son racing clear and rounding Begovic after Eriksen has dispossessed Lewis Cook and set him away.

The South Korean went close again just a minute later, but he was denied by Begovic on that occasion.

Serge Aurier was an outlet throughout the game and he got his reward for a strong performance late on as he headed home at the far post to make it 4-1 after Begovic made a mess of Kieran Trippier’s cross from the right.

The scoreline didn’t reflect the fact that Bournemouth competed well for long spells, not that Spurs will care as they move into third in the Premier League. Bournemouth remain 12th.

 

11 March 2018