Bournemouth’s 19-year-old defender Dean Huijsen delivered a pivotal moment at the Vitality Stadium, heading in Marcus Tavernier’s curling corner in the 17th minute to seal a 1-0 victory over Tottenham. Left inexplicably unmarked at the back post, Huijsen’s goal exposed Tottenham’s perennial vulnerability at set-pieces, leaving manager Ange Postecoglou shaking his head on the touchline.
The result propelled Bournemouth above Tottenham in the Premier League standings and deepened the north London club’s mounting frustrations as their struggles with form and fitness continued to bite.
Promising Start Turns Sour for Spurs
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Tottenham opened the game brightly, with Dominic Solanke spearheading their efforts on his return to the Vitality Stadium following a high-profile £65m summer transfer. Despite a chorus of boos from sections of the home crowd, Solanke fashioned two early chances, showcasing the kind of sharpness Spurs fans had hoped to see.
However, the optimism evaporated after Huijsen’s opener. Bournemouth seized control, with Tavernier and Evanilson threatening to extend the lead before half-time. Tottenham, on the other hand, appeared disjointed, their confidence visibly shaken.
Second-Half Surge Falls Short
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In a bid to salvage the match, Postecoglou introduced captain Son Heung-min at the interval, replacing Pape Matar Sarr. The shift injected some urgency into Tottenham’s play, resulting in opportunities for James Maddison, Pedro Porro, and Dejan Kulusevski. Yet, for all their endeavour, Spurs were unable to find a way past Bournemouth’s resolute defence.
As the clock ticked down, Tottenham’s desperation left them vulnerable. Evanilson found the net late on, but his effort was ruled out for offside, sparing the visitors further embarrassment. Adding to their woes, Ben Davies limped off with a suspected hamstring injury, leaving Spurs alarmingly short of defensive options ahead of a crucial derby clash with Chelsea.
Recurring Problems for Tottenham
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This latest defeat is likely to reignite familiar debates about Tottenham’s mindset. Their early dominance at the Vitality Stadium offered hope, but it was fleeting. Heads dropped after Bournemouth’s goal, and signs of anxiety crept into their game—perhaps epitomised by Destiny Udogie’s aimless crossfield pass that sailed out of play.
While Postecoglou can point to a lengthy injury list—including key absences like Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, and Guglielmo Vicario in defence, and Richarlison in attack—the broader issues run deeper. With just one win in six league matches, questions over Spurs’ mentality and defensive frailties are impossible to ignore.
Set-piece vulnerabilities remain a glaring problem, and although the recent 4-0 demolition of Manchester City hinted at their potential, consistency continues to elude them. For Postecoglou, addressing these weaknesses is urgent if Spurs are to rediscover their momentum.