Tottenham Hotspur put resurgent Bournemouth back on track with a flattering 3-1 Premier League victory thanks to goals from Pape Matar Sarr, Son Heung-Min and Richarlison on Sunday.
Bournemouth were unbeaten in seven league games with six wins in that sequence and you will wonder how that run was not extended as they dominated at times in rain-lashed north London.
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Sarr gave Tottenham an early lead before going off injured, while captain Son and Richarlison scored late after the home side took advantage of their luck against a skilful away team.
Alex Scott responded for Bournemouth in the 84th minute, but it was of little consolation for Andoni Iraola’s team.
Unconvincing as it was, Tottenham’s victory sent them into the New Year in the middle of the battle for a top-four finish in manager Ange Postecoglou’s first season in charge.
“Every week is a battle and today we had to fight. At the same time, I thought we played some decent things too,” Postecoglou told Sky Sport.
“We’re trying to build something. It’s hard for me to keep repeating it, but we’re trying to build a team that plays a little differently and has some resilience and that can only be achieved in difficult times. Some of that is We have self-inflicted suspensions but we’ve had a lot of injuries, we did not want to make excuses and we continued there and fighting.
“We’re three points off the top, so if that’s the difference between having a great season and where we are, I’ll take it. When you’re trying to build something, you’re definitely going to run into some challenges. I’m looking at ‘Progress.’ Sometimes it’s not tangible and it’s not football or results, sometimes it’s just the growth of the team. Today there was more growth.”
Spurs have 39 points from 20 games, one behind fourth-placed Arsenal and just three behind leaders Liverpool.
While they picked up three points, Tottenham have further injury concerns with Pape Sarr forced off the pitch in the first half.
“It has been a constant for us [injuries]. I’m disappointed for Pape. [Matar Sarr], I’m still not entirely sure of the scope. It’s a hamstring, it’s gutted. “We’ll have to let others step forward.”
