Bournemouth vs Tottenham recap: Spurs went 2-0 down before Ryan Sessegnon, Ben Davies and Rodrigo Bentancur — the most unexpected trio of goal-scoring suspects — dragged the visitors back for a 3-2 victory at Vitality Stadium on Saturday.
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The victory keeps Tottenham (26 points) 3rd in the Premier League table, still two points above 4th-place Newcastle United (and now five above 5th-place Chelsea following their heavy defeat to Brighton on Saturday). As disappointing as they’ve been in recent weeks, Spurs somehow still look the 3rd-best side in the PL, as Manchester United (20 - 6th place) and Liverpool (16 - 8th) work through their own early-season struggles.
What we learned from Bournemouth vs Tottenham
Spurs beat themselves more often than the opponent
Two things currently ail Tottenham: 1) Antonio Conte’s continued insistence on playing out of the back and defending far too deep in their own half of the field (discussed here and here), and 2) the squad is missing a midfield creator (here and here), though Bryan Gil has shown flashes in recent substitute appearances in the Champions League (and did so again on Saturday), yet Conte previously refused to even play him in the Premier League (he got his first six minutes of the season). When one of the above changes, maybe Spurs’ performances and results will, too.
This is not a sustainable, repeatable plan
Not that it needed to be said, but getting played off the field by a newly promoted side (or any non-big-six side, for that matter) and going two goals down in the first half, only to scrape and claw their way back via set pieces, cannot be the plan every game.
How to watch Bournemouth vs Tottenham live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 10am ET, SaturdayTV Channel/Online: Stream via NBCSports.com
Key storylines & star players
It’s been grit and defense that has served Bournemouth well during its better moments, and Lloyd Kelly and Philip Billing have joined Jefferson Lerma in making sure the opposition pays for its chances.
Spurs are more than Harry Kane, but it’s difficult to say that anyone in the Premier League not named Erling Haaland is having a better and more important season than England’s center forward.
Bournemouth team news, injuries, lineup options
QUESTIONABLE: Dominic Solanke (ankle) | OUT: David Brooks (thigh), Lloyd Kelly (ankle), Neto (thigh)
📝 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 📝
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) October 29, 2022
🔺 Solanke starts
🔺 Moore and Zemura also in
🔺 Plain comes onto the bench
We're all set for #BOUTOT 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/s5XKdG6A5y
Tottenham team news, injuries, lineup options
OUT: Dejan Kulusevski (thigh), Richarlison (calf)
Your starting XI for this afternoon's clash against @afcbournemouth! 👇 pic.twitter.com/KHNsFeDk3i
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) October 29, 2022