Tottenham 3-1 Bournemouth: Pape Sarr, Heung-Min Son and Richarlison score to close gap on top four

Pape Sarr and Heung-Min Son delivered Tottenham parting gifts before Richarlison secured a 3-1 victory over in-form Bournemouth to close the gap on the top four to one point.

The pair will head to the Africa Cup of Nations and the Asia Cup respectively next month, although Sarr’s involvement is in doubt after he left the pitch with a hamstring injury and in tears during the first half.

The Senegal midfielder struck an early opener for Tottenham, but Bournemouth dominated the rest of the half and missed a host of chances before Son netted Spurs’ second with less than 20 minutes remaining.

Richarlison swept in a late third although Bournemouth pushed until the end, seeing substitute Alex Scott score a consolation which was the least Andoni Iraola’s side deserved.

How Spurs closed the gap

Tottenham began the day four points behind fourth-placed Arsenal and immediately set about narrowing the gap with Son firing wide from an offside position and then Richarlison lofting over. Bournemouth threatened too, Solanke mistiming a downward header before Sarr found the net.

Rodrigo Bentancur stepped forward to intercept in the Bournemouth half, Giovani Lo Celso won the second ball and as the visitors’ defence backed off, Sarr fired into the bottom corner.

Neto saved from Emerson Royal and then Son before the injured Sarr left the pitch inconsolable, with his premature departure helping Bournemouth get on top.

Marcus Tavernier’s free-kick was deflected narrowly wide and Justin Kluivert dragged an effort off target from inside the box. A Bournemouth equaliser felt inevitable, but Spurs survived as Ben Davies deflected Solanke’s shot onto the crossbar at the end of a breathless half.

Bournemouth picked up from where they left off with a Solanke header kept out by Guglielmo Vicario, but despite their dominance, Richarlison missed a huge opportunity, rolling wide from Son’s through ball.

Solanke missed another chance – the striker racking up nine shots – side-footing wide from close range as Spurs dug deep in the wind and rain. Son eased the tension with a fine finish to double their lead and with Spurs purring, Richarlison tapped in from Brennan Johnson’s cross.

But Bournemouth never gave up, seeing Scott find the bottom right corner with a composed finish and there was still time for Spurs substitute Bryan Gil to hit the crossbar from just yards out and another Scott goal to be ruled out for offside.

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Tottenham have scored in each of their last 32 Premier League games since a 1-0 defeat at Wolves in March – the longest ongoing streak in the competition. Furthermore, only three sides have gone on a longer such streak in the Premier League (Arsenal 55, Liverpool and Manchester United both 36).
Bournemouth had 24 shots in this match – the Cherries’ most in a Premier League game since their draw against Watford in January 2019. Bournemouth had 12 more attempts than Tottenham – the highest tally that Spurs have been outshot in the Premier League this season, and their most since April this year (-14 v Newcastle).
This was Tottenham’s first Premier League victory on New Year’s Eve since a 2-0 win over Newcastle in 2005. In fact, Spurs had failed to win their final game in each of the previous five years, with this their first such victory since 2017 (5-2 v Southampton).
Richarlison has scored five goals in his last five Premier League games for Spurs, after netting just twice in his first 39 appearances for the club in the competition. Spurs have won each of their last five league games when Richarlison has scored, with their only defeat when he found the net coming in their first such game at Liverpool in April.

What’s next?

Tottenham welcome Burnley to north London in the FA Cup third round on Friday January 5; kick-off 8pm.

Bournemouth travel to QPR in the FA Cup third round on Saturday January 6; kick-off 3pm.