Tottenham end 2023 with resounding 3-1 victory over Bournemouth

Tottenham Hotspur secured a convincing 3-1 victory against Bournemouth on the last day of 2023. The game played at a rainy Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, showcased the Spurs’ commitment and resilience in their pursuit of Premier League glory.

Ange Postecoglou’s side had lost their last outing to Brighton in a 4-2 display. A Brace from Joao Pedro put the home side four goals up. Spurs managed to claim two of theirs in the late minutes thanks to late goals from Alejo Veliz and Ben Davies. They looked to have returned stronger against the Cherries, correcting their past errors and dominating most of the game. 

Spurs players got into the match against Bournemouth with high expectations and did not disappoint their fans. From the first whistle, Spurs pressed non-stop for a goal and defended the cherry’s advances. Tottenham took control of the first half with their attacking trio wreaking havoc on Bournemouth’s defense. Clinical finishing and a defensive error gave Tottenham an early lead ahead of the visitors. Pape Sarr opened the scoring for Tottenham in the ninth minute but left the pitch injured in the 32nd minute. Ange Postecoglou’s men waited till the 71st minute to get a second goal. 

The midfield’s control and distribution were commendable throughout the match. Ange Postecoglou’s precise changes to the midfield in the second half were vital to the last two goals. Son Heung-min scored the second goal of the match, his 12th goal of the season, putting Spurs two goals ahead of the visitors. Richarlison finally got on the score sheet nine minutes later, thanks to a well-crafted assist from Brennan Johnson. 

Bournemouth, to their credit, fought back. However, Tottenham’s defense was resilient. Alex Scott finally scored the consolation for the Cherries in the 84th minute. The goal kept Burnmount in the game as they pressed further but to no avail. Tottenham has struggled to keep clean sheets this season, their only success coming in the matches between Luton Town, Fulham, and Nottingham Forest. 

Pape Sarr and Heung-Min Son’s goals served as farewell presents for Tottenham before both depart for the African Cup of Nations and Asian Cup this month. They managed to narrow the gap to the top four to just one point. However, there’s uncertainty about Sarr’s participation, as he departed the field with a hamstring injury and tears in the first half.

Ange Postecoglou’s strategic brilliance was apparent throughout the game. His effective game management demonstrated a deep understanding of the Spur’s strengths and weaknesses. He kept motivating the players from the sideline and made decisions at crucial moments that contributed significantly to their success against the Cherries.

Tottenham Hotspur’s 3-1 victory over Bournemouth is a testament to their growth as a team. They confidently progressed through the match with a lot of injuries and suspensions. As the season progresses, Spurs will undoubtedly aim to build on this success and maintain their position as contenders to claim the Premier League. 

TOTTENHAM’S JANUARY TRANSFER NEWS

Captain Hugo Lloris will sign for LAFC, leaving Tottenham after 11 years. He has verbally agreed to a one-year deal with the option to extend with the MLS club. 

Only four current players in the Premier League have surpassed his 11 years tenure at Spurs (Seamus Coleman is approaching 15 years with Everton, while Lewis Dunk recently marked his 13th year with Brighton. Paul Dummett and Joel Ward have all been at their respective clubs for over 11 years).

Only Heung-min Son remains from their 2019 Champions League final XI. The Frenchman did not miss a single Premier League game in the 2021/22 season, keeping a remarkable 16 clean sheets. During the last term, injury concerns led to him spending time on the sidelines on occasions.  Lloris failed to exit the club in the summer and hasn’t featured for Spurs this season. Vicario is Tottenham’s current first-choice goalkeeper, supported by Fraser Forster on the bench.

Tottenham may sign a new center back during the January transfer window. Since November, Micky van de Ven has been sidelined with a hamstring injury and will return in January. Cristian Romero is also dealing with a hamstring issue and will be in recovery for approximately a month. Postecoglou appears reluctant to utilize Eric Dier, who recovered from injury at center-half and has deployed Ben Davies and Emerson Royal. 

Reports from France indicate that Jean-Clair Todibo is Tottenham’s preferred target for the center-back position. Postecoglou’s team has reportedly agreed terms with Nice for the signature of the 23-year-old to England. The total range of payment would potentially be between £43-52 million. While Nice would like to retain Todibo, they recognize the current high demand for the player, making January an opportune time to capitalize on his market value. Chelsea has also joined the race to grab his services. 

Radu Dragusin from Genoa is another target for the defensive role. The player has expressed his interest in a potential move to North London.

Spurs have also been speculated to secure a new midfielder, given Rodrigo Bentancur’s current injury and the absence of Yves Bissouma and Pape Sarr to the Africa Cup of Nations this January. James Maddison is still out with an ankle injury and will be back in action by mid-February. Ivan Perisic’s cruciate ligament injury is severe. The Croatian’s contract deadline is encroaching, and he might have played his last game for the Spurs. Chelsea star Conor Gallagher is a prospect for the role should the Blues decide to let him go this winter. 

Roma striker Paulo Dybala has also reportedly become a primary attacking target for Tottenham. Ange Postecoglou continues to search for additional attacking options despite prioritizing a new central defender in the winter transfer window. The Argentine remains a target for Manchester United, Chelsea, and Newcastle.

Tottenham joined Juventus and Arsenal in the race to sign the highly-rated 18-year-old Yarek Gasiorowski. The young talent emerged from Valencia’s Academy and has played a crucial role in the senior team this season. 

TOTTENHAM UPCOMING MATCHES

January 2024 

Tottenham Hotspur Vs. Burnley Home (Friday 5th January The FA Cup, 20:00)

Manchester United Vs. Tottenham Hotspur (Sunday 14th January Premier League,  16:30)

Tottenham Hotspur Vs. Brentford (Wednesday 31st January Premier League, 19:30)

February 2024 

Everton Vs. Tottenham Hotspur Saturday (3rd February Premier League, 19:30)

Tottenham Hotspur Vs. Brighton and Hove Albion (Saturday 10th February Premier League, 15:00)

Tottenham Hotspur Vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers (Saturday 17th February Premier League, 15:00)

Chelsea Vs. Tottenham Hotspur (Friday 23rd February Premier League, 20:00)

March 2024

Tottenham Hotspur Vs. Crystal Palace (Saturday 2nd March Premier League, 15:00)

Aston Villa Vs. Tottenham Hotspur (Saturday 9th March Premier League, 15:00)

Fulham Vs. Tottenham Hotspur ( Saturday 16th March Premier League, 15:00)

Tottenham Hotspur Vs. Luton Town (Saturday 30th March Premier League, 15:00)

GET HIGH DEMAND TOTTENHAM TICKETS!

Secure your seats now and be part of the action! Grab sold-out Tottenham tickets before they are all gone! Remember that owing to the extreme demand, tickets from official websites are already purchased. The Tickets marketplace is still your best bet for getting a place in the action. Whether at the stadium or glued to your screen, these matches will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Tottenham face daunting challenges this new year. The injury woes have cast a shadow of uncertainty over their future, but the determination to overcome adversity burns bright within the squad. Their recent performance has reignited hope among Spurs fans for silverware this season.