- Bournemouth opened the scoring inside 1 minute
- Harry Kane bagged a hat-trick
- Spurs move into sixth place
It wasn’t always pretty, but it counts all the same. After conceding less than a minute in, Spurs pressed forward and capitalized on a number of Bournemouth giveaways and gobs of mistakes by Cherries goalkeeper Artur Boruc to win 5-1 at Vitality Stadium.
Just 40 seconds into the game, Bournemouth had the lead as a cross from Charlie Daniels went over the head of Glenn Murray but fell to a wide open Matt Richie at the far post who crashed his shot home, causing Vitality Stadium to explode in excitement.
Unfortunately, the lead wouldn’t last long as goalkeeper Artur Boruc came off his line and took down Harry Kane in the penalty area despite Kane’s very tight angle, and referee Roger East pointed to the spot. Kane took the penalty himself and converted, bringing Spurs back level.
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They would come back and score again in the 16th minute to take a 2-1 lead as a long-range free kick set up Danny Rose for a shot, and while his effort cannoned of a Bournemouth defender at the top of the box, it fell to Moussa Dembele who skipped through traffic and slotted home while falling down.
Bournemouth collapsed further as a Kane cross was spilled by Boruc and fell right to Erik Lamela who poked home easily for Spurs’ third. The cross went right off the hands of Boruc, who should have had the cross easily.
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Bournemouth had a chance to pull back within one before halftime, but Marc Pugh’s initial effort was cleared off the line by Toby Alderweireld, and Josh King’s follow-up slammed the post.
It was all too easy for Spurs up front, as Kane truly put the game away after a brilliant curling ball in from Eriksen found the prolific striker who stretched to touch home for a 4-1 lead. Kane got his hat-trick off a corner as a header by Alderweireld across the face was spilled again by Boruc, and Kane pocketed the rebound.
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Up big, Spurs began to take target practice with 25 minutes left, as Eriksen took aim from the top of the box and crashed the ball into the right post.
The win moves Spurs into sixth in the Premier League table, three shy of Manchester United in the final Champions League position. Bournemouth, on the hells of their second straight 5-1 loss, remain just two points above the relegation zone.
