Eddie Howe’s side picked up a creditable point from their goalless draw with Tottenham Hotspur.
Saturday’s match at the Vitality Stadium may have lacked the goals of last weekend’s 6-1 win for the hosts over Hull City, but the outcome was in some ways equally satisfying for Bournemouth supporters.
The Cherries matched their high-flying opponents and secured a hard-fought point from a battling performance in the early kick-off. On another day they could have even taken all three points, with Charlie Daniels and Benik Afobe coming close.
Following Bournemouth’s solid display, here is how the individual players performed for the home side.
Artur Boruc – 7/10
The Polish goalkeeper was not as busy as he may have anticipated, but did what he had to do when called into action.
This included a particularly smart save from Christian Eriksen midway through the first half, when Boruc had to quickly change direction to tip the deflected effort round the post.
Adam Smith – 7/10
The right-back was facing the club he left to join Bournemouth, and performed as if he had a point to prove.
Produced a superb block to deny Erik Lamela late on and defended diligently against Tottenham’s array of impressive attacking players. Did not have too much of an impact going forward, but provided able support to Josh King down the right hand side when the Cherries did push on.
Simon Francis – 8/10
The Cherries skipper followed up an excellent performance last weekend with another standout display against Spurs.
Was in the right place at the right time to prevent Tottenham creating clear cut openings, and also showed the attacking prowess that made him such a force at right-back earlier in his Bournemouth career; one whipped cross late on nearly provided Benik Afobe with a winning goal.
Steve Cook – 7/10
Wholehearted performance from the centre half, who threw himself into numerous vital blocks and played a key role in keeping Son quiet.
Cook has developed a solid partnership with Francis in recent weeks; it is no mean feat to keep a clean sheet against this Tottenham side – Bournemouth are the first side to do so in the Premier League this season – and the Cherries have now conceded just once in their last four home games.
Charlie Daniels – 7/10
Not as influential as last week but this was another impressive display from Daniels, whose link up with Ibe on Bournemouth’s left hand side will be crucial in deciding the Cherries fate this season.
Having become used to seeing his name on the scoresheet, Daniels was unfortunate not to give his team the lead early on but kept going and did well to nullify the twin threat of Christian Eriksen and Danny Rose.
Harry Arter – 8/10
The Irish international was a doubt before this game, but you would not have known he was struggling given the nature of his challenges on display. Arter snapped into his tackles throughout and denied Son with an excellent block on the hour.
Never one to shy away from a battle, the 28-year-old held his side together in the midfield and was involved in the game’s major flash points; he was on the receiving end of Moussa Sissoko’s elbow but also did not cover himself in glory with a high challenge on Victor Wanyama in the second half.
Dan Gosling – 6/10
A late call-up in place of Andrew Surman, Gosling slotted in effectively to the Cherries midfield in the first half, carrying out his pressing duties manfully and using the ball well.
The former Newcastle man faded in the second period and struggled to have much influence against the imperious Mousa Dembele.
Josh King – 6/10
After impressing off the bench last weekend, the Norway international was granted a start in place of the injured Junior Stanislas and looked a threat in the first half.
King was far less influential in the second period as the Cherries were limited to fewer attacks, and he grew frustrated after wasting a couple of promising positions down the right hand side.
Jack Wilshere – 6/10
The Arsenal loanee will be relieved to have come through his first 90 minutes since September 2014, but his rustiness is still evident.
Wilshere continues to look slightly off the pace and found himself out muscled on occasion by the more heavyweight Victor Wanyama. The England man’s vision is still there for all to see, but it was the weight of his passes that were letting him down against Spurs.
Jordon Ibe – 6/10
Not lacking in confidence, Ibe’s ball carrying ability is key for Bournemouth on the break and this proved to be the case again in the first period.
The former Liverpool winger was less involved in the early stages of the second period and found himself withdrawn just before the hour.
Callum Wilson – 7/10
Worked tirelessly to make life difficult for Vertonghen and Dier, and showed quality when the ball was played into his feet.
Wilson was feeding off scraps in the second half as Bournemouth retreated and saw less of the ball, but the forward ran himself into the ground before being replaced by Benik Afobe late on.
Substitutes:
Max Gradel – 6/10
A frustrating return to action for the winger, who had an excellent chance to make more of a breakaway late on but failed to look up and provide Jack Wilshere with the chance to win the game.
Benik Afobe – 6/10
Nearly won the game for his side late on but saw his header fly just over the bar.
Ryan Fraser – N/A
Introduced in place of Josh King for the final few minutes.
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