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Tottenham proved the more clinical side as they beat Bournemouth 3-1 in an eventful game at home to end 2023 three points off top spot.
Cool takes from Pape Matar Sarr, Heung-min Son and Richarlison were the dividing factor and the Premier League’s form team could only grab a late consolation via Alex Scott.
Ben Davies, Giovani Lo Celso, and Son all impressed as Ange Postecoglou’s side cut through the Cherries, who had 24 shots to the hosts’ 12.
Here are Mail Sport’s player ratings from the game.
Heung-min Son scored his 12th goal of the season as Tottenham ended Bournemouth’s winning streak
Tottenham 4-3-3
Guglielmo Vicario – 7
His goal was peppered by the visitors but only four shots hit the target. Denied Dominic Solanke’s second-half header with a brilliant save.
Pedro Porro – 6.5
Handled an afternoon against the energetic Luis Sinisterra with relative comfort.
Emerson Royal – 6
Booked for tripping Philip Billing late on. Overshadowed by Ben Davies.
Ben Davies – 7.5
Came up with a sensational sliding block to divert a Solanke effort against the post. Led a makeshift back four well.
Ben Davies put in a heroic display to keep Bournemouth out despite their attacking threat
Destiny Udogie – 7
Came alive with recovery runs. When Solanke found himself haring towards goal beyond all souls, Udogie materialised to save the day and tackle him.
Pape Matar Sarr – 7
Scored a beautiful opener after nine minutes but didn’t last long. Taken off in tears shortly after with a hamstring injury, casting doubt on his AFCON hopes.
Rodrigo Bentancur – 7
Back from injury a month ahead of schedule and oozed quality. Won the ball ahead of Sarr’s goal.
Giovani Lo Celso – 7
Produced a gorgeous assist for Son, a through ball of surgical precision and artistic beauty. Hardly put a foot wrong.
Giovani Lo Celso’s excellent range of passing came to the fore and his assist for Son was sublime
Brennan Johnson – 6
Bagged another assist, lashing in a cross from the right for Richarlison to convert late on for Spurs’ third.
Richarlison – 6.5
Missed a golden chance to score by dragging it wide when Son played him through, but made amends with an instinctive take for Spurs’ third goal.
Heung-min Son – 7
Gave Spurs breathing room with his 12th goal of the season. Waved a temporary goodbye to fans as he will link up with South Korea for the Asian Cup.
Substitutes
Oliver Skipp – 6
Came on for Sarr and turned in a decent performance. Back in the team after missing the match against Brighton with an injured foot.
Richarlison atoned for a poor miss with a late strike to give Tottenham a 3-0 win at home
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – 6
Could be one of his last games in a Tottenham shirt and looked solid enough.
Eric Dier – N/A
Bryan Gil – N/A
Somehow did the impossible by hitting the bar with a header from a yard out.
Alejo Veliz – N/A
Bournemouth
Neto – 5.5
Conceded three of the six shots to hit the target. Gave the ball away with a risky pass for Sarr’s goal.
Adam Smith – 6
Not a lot to write home about. Had the unenviable task of trying to silence Son.
Neto conceded half of the shots that hit his target and won’t want to relive the day in a hurry
Illia Zabarnyi – 6
Has improved during his time at Bournemouth but was up against it today.
Marcos Senesi – 6
Headed an effort over the bar. Booked for a foul on Lo Celso.
Dango Ouattara – 6.5
One of the brighter sparks in the Cherries’ XI. Failed to convert a couple of headers and his team-mates didn’t meet his balls into the box. Subbed at the break due to injury.
Ryan Christie – 6.5
Was sold short by Neto, allowing Bentancur to intercept for the first goal. Turned in a good enough performance overall.
Lewis Cook – 7
Returned from injury to be one of Andoni Iraola’s more threatening players in the middle of the park with searching balls.
Marcus Tavernier – 7
At the heart of the creative operation. Clipped a free-kick wide after a deflection. Assisted Alex Scott’s goal as well as his ruled-out one.
Justin Kluivert – 6.5
Squandered a first-half chance but kept up his effort.
Alex Scott was rewarded with his first Premier League goal… but his second was ruled out!
Dominic Solanke – 6
Huffed and puffed but couldn’t blow the ball past Vicario. Was heavily involved but profligate from the moment he headed wide early on.
Substitutes
Alex Scott – 7
Grabbed his first Premier League goal before heading in another but that was ruled out for offside.
Max Aarons – 6
Came on at half-time for Ouattara but didn’t quite have the same impact.
Antoine Semenyo – 6
Tried to influence proceedings but Spurs dealt with him well.
David Brooks – N/A
Philip Billing – N/A
