Bournemouth maintained their impressive start to 2025/26 by beating Tottenham 1-0 in the capital.
Andoni Iraola's side were on top in every aspect during the opening 45 minutes, with the Lilywhites not even registering a shot. Evanilson's early goal made sure they went into half-time as deserved leaders.
The Cherries did not let up in the second half and should have doubled their lead multiple times. In fact, it could have been a mauling if they finished off some of their 19 attempts on goal in better fashion.
However, despite some late flurries, Spurs' forward play meant they did not have to worry much about an equaliser and took a fully merited three points back to Dorset.
Heading into the first international break of the season, both sides now sit on six points after three matches, with Tottenham in third and Bournemouth in seventh.
Story of the Match
Neither side made any alterations to their starting line-ups from their last Premier League outings. The home side sought to replicate their fast start against Burnley, but these Cherries had more bite to them.
Five minutes in, smart movement from Evanilson saw the striker bend his run within the box - entirely free of the clustered Tottenham defence - to get on the end of a pitch perfect pass from Marco Senesi.
The Brazilian's shot took a deflection off the sliding Cristian Romero to take it beyond Guglielmo Vicario and nestle into the far corner.
The visitors continued to rustle Spurs' rhythm. Moments later, Evanilson found some room on the edge of the box, dragging an effort wide.
David Brooks was then denied one the early contenders for Assist of the Season, curling a lush outside of the boot cross into Antoine Semenyo. The Ghana international's header flying just over the bar.
Brooks himself had two glorious chances to double the lead. First, almost catching Vicario out with a free kick before heading shy of the goal from the resulting corner.
It was all Bournemouth, in and out of possession, as they expertly cut off passing lanes to prevent any playing out from the back and dominated a sheepish Tottenham midfield and front line.
One half gone and Bournemouth were cutting through Spurs a 1000 degree knife through soft butter. The slim scoreline at the interval doing a huge disservice to those in black and red.
In the second half, the South Coast side kept up the pressure.
Senesi drifted a delightful ball down the left flank that the sparkling Semenyo latched onto. His wicked shot was well saved by Vicario, who was called into action again during another busy sequence.
Evanilson's effort was scrambled away by the Italian but the forward found the Welshman Brooks nearby, whose deft chip knocked the crossbar.
Tottenham's man between the sticks as he was forced to palm aside another shot from the inverting Brooks as the Cherries tried desperately to convert one of their many opportunities.
Vicario's shot stopping may have been vital in keeping the Lilywhites in the contest but a lapse in concentration saw him pass the ball right back to the opposition. Substitute Ryan Christie glided a cross to the far post where an unmarked Marcus Tavernier attacked it, but could not direct it on target.
More peppering of the Spurs goal came to nothing for the away side. 78 minutes in, however, Tottenham finally began to threaten. A well-crafted move from right to left culminated in Wilson Odobert leathering the ball into the South Stand.
Though it did not produce a goal, it injected a bit of confidence that the North Londoners took into the closing stages. During stoppage time, Mathys Tel met Djed Spence's cross with an eye-catching volley that did not trouble Dorde Petrovic.
It was an ultimately limp attempt at salvaging something from Thomas Frank's team, with Iraola's substitutes Christie, Amine Adli and Justin Kluivert continuing to harry the Spurs midfield and backline.
A late header wide from Destiny Udogie saw out the encounter as Bournemouth sealed a well deserved win.
Player of the Match - Marco Senesi
He was not tested a great deal defensively, but Senesi's composure helped keep Spurs at bay whenever they did ask questions.
Primarily though, this was a performance that showcased the Argentine's ability on the ball and how capable he is in stepping up to aid the midfield, with his assist to Evanilson replicating that of a No.10.
Having been outshone by Dean Huijsen and Illia Zabarnyi last season, this display - along with the rest of the backline - will put to bed any doubts surrounding the sudden change in defence at the Vitality.