Tottneham Hotspur’s discipline was questionable as they drew 0-0 with AFC Bournemouth.
AFC Bournemouth held Tottenham Hotspur to a 0-0 draw yesterday at the Vitality Stadium and ere are five things we learned from Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off.
Spurs getting lucky with refereeing decisions
Tottenham kicked Bournemouth off the park yesterday, just as they did Chelsea in May. Perhaps it is because referees are starting to expect them to commit more, and more blatant, fouls but Spurs are not being punished for their cynical tactics.
Anyone who watched the game yesterday would agree that four yellow cards was not just reward for the 15 fouls the visitors committed.
Tottenham don’t need Alderweireld…
Despite some intense pressure at the back, the partnership of Eric Dier and Jan Vertonghen held firm. Even though Toby Alderweireld is expected to be back in the side sooner rather than later, all the signs point to Spurs again having the requisite squad strength in defence to sustain a challenge.
…but they do need Harry Kane
However, it is clear that Tottenham are struggling up front. Son Heung-min appears to have exhausted his early season form and Vincent Janssen cannot buy a goal thus far, and looks every bit Roberto Soldado’s successor. For Spurs, the sooner the talismanic Harry Kane comes back, the better.
The Vitality can become a fortress
From October until the end of last season, Bournemouth picked up just four home wins. However, they already have three this season and have lost just once in the league at the Vitality Stadium thus far.
If Bournemouth replicate the resilience and persistent threat they posed yesterday, it could be a very profitable season on the south coast indeed.
Cherries need a bigger squad
While the standard of their football is unquestionably good, there are doubts that they can keep it up, especially with such a thin squad. Their starting XI yesterday was impressive but their bench less so. Benik Afobe needs game time, as does Nathan Ake, and many of the others are yet to prove themselves at the Premier League level.
If Bournemouth plan on doing big things, they may be over-reliant on their guaranteed starters.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
