Tottenham cruised to victory away at Bournemouth on Saturday as Ange Postecoglou’s great start in charge of Spurs continued.
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Sumptuous team goals finished off by James Maddison in the first half and Dejan Kulusevski in the second did the damage as the visitors were comfortable throughout.
Injury-hit Bournemouth really struggled to get going and Andoni Iraola is still searching for his first win as the Cherries have one point from their first three games of the season.
Tottenham now have seven points from their first three games and have new boys Burnley and Sheffield United in their next two as they then head to Arsenal in late-September. By the time the north London derby rolls around they may well be top of the Premier League. Angeball is taking over.
Attackers add finishing touch as Angeball continues to deliver
Over the first two games none of Spurs’ front four had scored. Not now. Maddison and Kulusevski both finished and it was their perfectly-timed runs from deep to get on the end of perfectly-weighted passes which summed up Angeball at its best.
Spurs played with real quality, composure and ruthlessness and their was a calmness about their play even when Bournemouth had a good spell at the start of the second half. The most important thing here is that Tottenham have belief in what they’re doing under Postecoglou and the entire team knows they have to deliver and play their part if they’re going to be successful. Harry Kane isn’t around anymore to bail them out but if Heung-min Son and Richarlison can get going and get on the scoresheet soon (both had chances), then Angeball will be turbo-charged.
This start to the season was exactly what the Australian coach wanted and there is a very real possibility that Spurs will go into their north London derby trip to Arsenal a month from now being the form team in the Premier League. That is when we will really find just how good they are, especially in defense. For now, things are flowing in midfield and attack and Tottenham’s fans are loving it.
What’s next?
Bournemouth’s tough start to the season continues as they head to Brentford on Saturday, Sept. 2. Tottenham head to Burnley on the same day.
How to watch Bournemouth vs Tottenham live, start time, live stream link, full replay
Kick off: 7:30 am ET, Saturday (August 26)
TV channel: USA Network
Online: Watch full replay on NBCSports.com
“It has been very easy and not just on the pitch stuff. You can build the relationship stuff on preseason too... The more time you spend together, the more you pick up on what your fellow midfielders have,” James Maddison told TNT Sports in the UK.
Maddison went on to praise the individual quality of Bissouma and Sarr and how knowing what they’re good at led to him making that run for his goal.
Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou was asked by TNT Sports about Tottenham’s fans singing ‘we’ve got our Tottenham back!’ in the away end:
“It is nice, they’re a part of this. We need their energy and support. We want to give back for the support they’ve given us. It goes hand-in-hand. The more we are united as a football club the better chance we have of success.”
That was a very straightforward for Tottenham who had multiple chances late on to increase their winning margin.
The Spurs fans in the away end were singing ‘we’ve got our Tottenham back!’ as they lauded Ange Postecoglou throughout.
It’s early days but this is looking very good for Spurs under their new manager as their is belief in the way they’re playing and a real team-first approach.
Dejan Kulusevski flicks home delicately after another fine Tottenham move.
Udogie does superbly down the left and plays a one-two with Son before setting up Kulusevski to slot home into the far corner.
Just when it looked like Bournemouth were going to draw level, Tottenham hit them on the counter.
We are back underway in the second half and Bournemouth are pushing hard for an equalizer.
The Cherries are committing plenty of players forward with Antoine Semenyo pulling the strings. They are leaving gaps for Tottenham on the counter.
That said, Spurs’ Bissouma and Richarlison have been booked early in the second half so they will have to watch themselves.
A few chances for Bournemouth at the end of the half as Christie was denied by Vicario and Biling also curled wide.
Spurs were the better team and had more control of that first 45 minutes but there was enough there to encourage Bournemouth that they can get something out of this game.
After a hefty challenge from Romero (which the home fans aren’t happy with) there is a huge opportunity for Spurs on the counter.
Maddison leads the charge and he slots in Richarlison perfectly but the Brazilian striker is denied by the outstretched arm of Kelly (no penalty give) and then he and Son can’t finish the rebound as Bournemouth clear after excellent work from Joe Rothwell.
What a brilliant team goal (ahem, Angeball!) from Tottenham and that is James Maddison’s first goal for Tottenham.
Patient build up play from Spurs and Yves Bissouma does brilliantly to get free, then sets up Pape Matar Sarr who slot in a perfectly-weighed pass as the onrushing Maddison flicks home.
Maddison celebrates with his trademark darts celebration and Ange Postecoglou is pumping his fist on the sidelines.
A really poor giveaway from Neto in goal for Bournemouth as Maddison cuts it out and Son is running towards goal.
He feeds Maddison but he can’t get a clean effort away and Neto saves well with his legs as Maddison tried to give him the eyes.
That is a warning for Bournemouth to be sharper when playing out from the back and big chance not taken by Spurs.
Two changes for Bournemouth as Justin Kluivert makes his first start for the Cherries.
Lloyd Kelly also comes in to the lineup.
We're #BOUTOT ready 💪 pic.twitter.com/tfmBjh5Ndf
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) August 26, 2023
Ange has named an unchanged team as James Maddison has shaken off a knock to start once again.
Unchanged XI! 🫡 pic.twitter.com/3qgjofovHt
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) August 26, 2023
Ange Postecoglou has three long-term injury issues as Bryan Gil, Ryan Sessegnon and Rodrigo Bentancur will be out until October.
James Maddison picked up an ankle knock in the win against Manchester United but when he was seen walking out of the stadium last week with a protective boot on his right foot he said it was ‘just precautionary’ so it doesn’t seem serious.
Ange will likely start with the same lineup which beat Manchester United as Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr dominated in midfield.
Emerson Royal could come in for Pedro Porro at right back and it will be intriguing to see how long Richarlison starts up top.
The Cherries have a host of injuries to key players which has hampered Andoni Iraola early on.
Dango Outtara, Ryan Fredericks and Marcus Tavernier are still out, while new signings Alex Scott (knee) and Tyler Adams (hamstring) are still recovering from injury.
Adam Smith and Lewis Cook could be back for this one and that would give Iraola some more defensive options to help the balance of the team.
Justin Kluivert, David Brooks and Hamed Traore could all start this game as Bournemouth look to take the game to Tottenham and catch them out on the counter.
