A Set the default text size
Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur have slipped to a 1-0 loss to Bournemouth, while Fulham beat Brighton 3-1 to move into the top half of the EPL table.
Andoni Iraola’s Cherries had upset title hopefuls Arsenal and Manchester City in two of their previous three fixtures on home soil.
Spain U21 international Huijsen, aged 19 years and 235 days, secured a further scalp for the south-coast club with a 17th-minute winner on Thursday as inconsistent Spurs suffered another setback of a patchy season so far.
Bournemouth leapfrogged Postecoglou’s visitors into ninth position following a deserved success which should have been more comfortable.
Ryan Christie struck the woodwork and the impressive hosts failed to capitalise on a host of chances, while toothless Tottenham created little going forward.
Inconsistent Spurs hammered champions Manchester City 4-0 in their previous away fixture but that was their only win in five games in all competitions ahead of the trip to Dorset.
Dominic Solanke was passed fit to face his former club after missing Sunday’s 1-1 draw at home to Fulham due to illness, with captain Son Heung-min dropping to the bench as part of three changes.
The north London club started in the ascendancy and, after the recalled Dejan Kulusevski shot straight at Cherries goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, Solanke fired wastefully over, having been released by stand-in skipper James Maddison.
Bournemouth looked lively on the counter-attack and edged ahead.
Spurs goalkeeper Fraser Forster initially produced a fine save to deny Evanilson following dithering from Radu Dragusin but, from the resultant inswinging corner taken by Marcus Tavernier, Huijsen, a summer signing from Juventus, arrived unmarked at the back post to nod home.
Tavernier had the ball in the net 14 minutes after the opener but was clearly offside, before later seeing a close-range header from Milos Kerkez’s cross clawed away by Forster.
Despite Tottenham’s shortcomings, Postecoglou opted against changes at the break.
_[Roar editor Christy Doran made the trip to Seattle with VisitSeattle.org, diving into the city’s electric sports vibe, outdoor adventures, and renowned food scene. Click here for his latest adventure in the Emerald City.](https://www.theroar.com.au/2024/12/03/jordan-goat-debate-and-park-and-rec-why-this-ex-seattle-star-is-desperate-for-the-sonics-to-return/)_
His team resumed on the front foot, albeit still looking susceptible on the break, with Justin Kluivert, who hit a hat-trick of penalties in Saturday’s 4-2 win at Wolves, coming close to doubling the Cherries’ lead.
Son replaced Pape Sarr in the 57th minute and immediately increased the tempo of Tottenham’s play.
The South Korea international finished on the rebound two minutes after his introduction following Kulusevski’s initial effort but was denied by an offside flag, before later slipping in Maddison, who curled narrowly wide.
Fellow substitute Pedro Porro tested Kepa with a thumping low drive, prior to Christie striking the base of the left post at the other end.
Tottenham survived a major scare 18 minutes from time when Evanilson’s close-range finish was disallowed for offside after Forster’s risky pass to Kulusevski was intercepted.
Bournemouth should have put the game beyond Spurs, with Tavernier and substitute Dango Ouattara each squandering excellent opportunities by firing over.
The misses ensured plenty of tension during six minutes of added time but mattered little in the end as Spurs could not muster a meaningful attempt to snatch a point.
At Craven Cottage, Alex Iwobi scored twice as Fulham marched into the top half of the league with a 3-1 win over Brighton.
The Cottagers were pegged back after Iwobi’s quickfire opener by Carlos Baleba’s fine strike early in the second half.
But Matt O’Riley’s own goal gifted them the lead again and Iwobi hit his second to ensure Brighton have still never beaten Fulham in the Premier League.
© AAP