Huijsen goal propels Bournemouth to win over Spurs

Bournemouth picked up another big home win as they beat Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 to leapfrog their opponents in the Premier League.

The solitary goal came from Dean Huijsen’s back-post header from a first-half corner, losing his marker with a looping run before directing his finish back across the goalkeeper.

But The Cherries could have had many more on a night when they created a hatful of chances and were gifted a handful more by a Spurs side who are down to just one fit recognised centre-back after Ben Davies was forced off with an injury.

Three goals were disallowed in the game – all for offside, two for the hosts and one for Spurs – but the result was richly deserved for a Bournemouth team who played with an intensity that overpowered the visitors.

Victory moves Bournemouth up to ninth in a highly congested Premier League table, with Spurs a point behind in 10th.

Ange Postecoglou joins Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola as high-profile managers to have tasted defeat at Vitality Stadium this season, and more will be added to that list on the evidence of this display.

Bournemouth were outstanding – intense in their press and full of energy in midfield, overpowering a flagging Tottenham as the match progressed.

Andoni Iraola will have been delighted with so many aspects of the display, but will be frustrated that his team didn’t finish off more of the hatful of chances that they earned through their intensity.

The big Bournemouth centre-back took his goal brilliantly to win the game for Bournemouth and, one slip in the first half aside, defended superbly to leave Spurs with very little to work with in the final third.

He was dominant in the air, covered the runners well, and added a sense of security at the back that gave his team real confidence.

Bournemouth: Kepa 8; Smith 7, Zabarnyi 7, Huijsen 9, Kerkez 8; Christie 8, Adams 7; Tavernier 7, Kluivert 6, Semenyo 7; Evanilson 8. Subs: Ouattara 5, Cook 7, Billing 6, Unal 6, Brooks 6.

Tottenham: Forster 8; Gray 7, Dragusin 6, Davies 6, Udogie 6; Bissouma 6, Sarr 6, Maddison 6; Kulusevski 6, Solanke 6, Johnson 3. Subs: Son 6, Porro 5, Bergvall 5, Werner 5.

17’ – GOAL! BOURNEMOUTH 1-0 TOTTENHAM (HUIJSEN)

The hosts have the lead and it comes from a corner. A deep cross goes over the entire Spurs defence, but nobody had tracked the run around the back by Huijsen and he heads back across goal and into the far corner. It’s an excellent cross, superb finish, but odd defending. Who was supposed to pick him up? It isn’t particularly clear on the replay, but the result is the same regardless. 1-0!

30’ – GOAL DISALLOWED!

It’s another blistering break from Bournemouth and Evanilson plays a cute pass to put Tavernier through in the box. He finishes well, but the flag is up, and it was offside.

43’ – SENSATIONAL SAVE

It’s so close to a second for Bournemouth as Tavernier heads down from Kerkez’s cross, but Forster makes an unbelievable save low down to his left to keep the deficit to just the one goal.

59’ – GOAL DISALLOWED!

Son has the ball in the back of the net moments after coming on, tucking home from close range after Kulusevski’s shot is deflected right to him. But he was offside when the shot came in and the goal is ruled out.

62’ – ENFORCED CHANGE

Davies has picked up an injury and, with Romero and Van der Ven already out, Spurs have no other central defensive options. Porro comes on for him and Gray switches to centre-back, with Davies heading straight down the tunnel to receive treatment.

72’ – GOAL DISALLOWED!

Forster makes a complete hash of playing out from the back and Bournemouth very nearly take advantage. The ‘keeper makes a save as he scrambles to recover, but the rebound drops to Evanilson, who tucks home. Bournemouth celebrate… but VAR steps in and it was offside when the shot deflected to the striker.