Bournemouth vs. Tottenham: Winners and Losers from Premier League
Tottenham Hotspur destroyed AFC Bournemouth on Sunday, taking three points back to north London thanks to a 5-1 victory at the Vitality Stadium.
Matt Ritchie opened the scoring in the first minute of play to put the home side ahead, but Artur Boruc then produced a string of errors to gift the away side goal after goal, with Harry Kane netting a hat-trick, Erik Lamela turning one home and Mousa Dembele converting after a rather fortuitous free-kick routine.
"I'm very pleased for Harry," Mauricio Pochettino admitted after the game, per ESPN. "I never had any doubts about him, but it was a very important hat-trick for him. It's important for him to learn from that period," referring to his dry spell at the start of the season.
Here, B/R picks its winners and losers from the game.
Winner: Harry Kane, Tottenham Hotspur
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Harry Kane scored a momentous hat-trick on Sunday, coolly netting from the spot after luring Artur Boruc into a silly challenge in the box, converting a Christian Eriksen cross and tapping home from a corner. It was a just reward for a very good overall display from the big man.
Lively on the shoulder, intrinsic to build-up play and very quick to find space on the left, he ran the channels superbly, stretched the pitch and forced two of Spurs’ three first-half goals. Bagging three takes his personal tally for four for the season.
Kane has dealt with hefty criticism this season and the suggestions that he is a “one-season wonder” are gaining momentum, but away from his admittedly disappointing goal tally (over the first nine games), there’s no doubting the striker’s overall ability.
He contributes in every phase—he’s not just about goals—and Spurs are right to build a team around him.
Loser: Artur Boruc, AFC Bournemouth
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Artur Boruc reclaimed his position as AFC Bournemouth’s No. 1 goalkeeper by virtue of recovering from an injury that ruled him out of last week’s loss to Manchester City, but failed to impress upon returning.
He made the rash decision to leave his line and clean Harry Kane out in the box early on, resulting in a penalty he failed to save, then fumbled a cross from the same man straight into the path of Erik Lamela, who swept home to extend the advantage. He also batted a Toby Alderweireld header into the path of Kane, allowing him to prod home and complete his hat-trick.
"Artur Boruc has got gloves with springs in," uMAXit Football’s Raj Bains remarked.
Adam Federici—the man who conceded five last week at The Etihad and made an error of his own—looked on with gritted teeth. Is there a solution readily available to Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe, or must he look to the January transfer window to stabilise this position?
Winner: Christian Eriksen, Tottenham Hotspur
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Harry Kane will steal the headlines after this match, but don’t underestimate just how big a say Christian Eriksen had in matters. His slick deliveries and opportunistic positioning tore AFC Bournemouth to shreds.
A good pass freed Kane for the penalty, he took the free-kick that led to the second goal, crossed for Kane to finish the third and swung in the corner that forced the fifth. Minutes later, he smacked the inside of the post with a long-range effort.
As epic as his offensive contribution was, there were slight issues with his inability to protect Danny Rose defensively. That’ll be swept under the rug, though, after such a stellar final-third performance.
Loser: Eddie Howe, AFC Bournemouth
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Eddie Howe will be ruing the events of the last four weeks and begin to worry about his team’s alarming slide down the table.
Injuries to key men, particularly Callum Wilson, have seen AFC Bournemouth’s goals dry up and defence become porous. The team has conceded 13 goals in its last five Premier League games as the rot steadily sets in.
AFCB won’t make any rash decisions regarding sackings—Howe is ingrained, and beloved, by the club—but the 37-year-old’s star is beginning to fall as the reality of the Premier League relegation battle sets in.
Winner: Matt Ritchie, AFC Bournemouth
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There were very, very few positive talking points to emerge from this game from an AFC Bournemouth perspective, but Matt Ritchie qualifies as one.
He's taken a little while to get going, but now represents the team's offensive spark and creative fulcrum. His opening goal in the first minute was a lovely strike, and he swung in several delightful crosses as The Cherries tried desperately to force their way back into the game.
As long as Ritchie is on the pitch, Bournemouth have a goal threat.
