Tottenham Hotspur fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Bournemouth in an enthralling Premier League affair in North London.
The boos at half time told the story of a turgid opening 45 minutes from Tottenham, whose number one Guglielmo Vicario was called into action inside the opening 20 seconds after Spurs sloppily gave the ball away.
That would be the theme for the entire opening period, and one such mistake from the hosts allowed Marcus Tavernier to break the deadlock after one of the assists of the season from Milos Kerkez.
A frenetic start to the second period saw Justin Kluivert have a well-worked goal disallowed, but Andoni Iraola's side soon got the second that their endeavour deserved through a delicate Evanilson dink.
However, a freak Pape Sarr goal immediately after put the hosts right back in contention, before Son Heung-min both won and scored a penalty to complete the Lilywhites' praiseworthy second-half turnaround.
Spurs remain entrenched in the bottom half of the Premier League rankings despite their gutsy fightback, though, lying 13th and eight and points off the top half, while eighth-placed Bournemouth are five points below the Champions League places.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
Was this a case of Tottenham gaining one point thanks to a terrific turnaround or a case of Bournemouth dropping two points thanks to some fatal carelessness?
Most likely the latter, but Spurs took full advantage of their visitors' drop-off to create their own luck in the second half following an opening period that could hardly have gone worse for an already under-pressure Ange Postecoglou.
The Australian had a justifiable excuse for his team's poor displays over the winter amid their injury crisis, but there was no hiding place for a strong squad in the first 45, where they gave the ball away at will and were eventually made to pay for it.
However, Postecoglou arguably got the response he would have been after from Spurs' shocking Europa League loss to AZ Alkmaar in the midweek, even if neither Sarr nor Son's strikes were of the orthodox variety.
As for Bournemouth, Sunday's point could still prove to be a precious one in their fight for European football, but the Cherries will surely wonder how they let victory slip from their grasp, as a Tottenham comeback appeared to be the last thing on the cards with 65 minutes gone.
TOTTENHAM VS. BOURNEMOUTH HIGHLIGHTS
Marcus Tavernier goal vs. Tottenham (47th min, Tottenham 0-1 Bournemouth)
Marcus Tavernier puts the Cherries in front at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium 🍒
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 9, 2025
What an assist this is from Milos Kerkez 😍🔥 pic.twitter.com/HqLpEztscb
Chalk and cheese from both sets of full-backs, and Bournemouth are ahead thanks to one of the best assists you will see all season!
Pedro Porro surges up the field before lazily gifting possession to Kerkez, who sprints forward into the open space vacated by the Tottenham right-back.
The Hungarian gets his head up and delivers an outstanding cross to the back post, where Tavernier gets in ahead of Djed Spence to guide an exquisite volley across goal and into the side of the net - a magnificent goal all-round!
Justin Kluivert goal vs. Tottenham (65th min, Tottenham 0-2 Bournemouth)
A lovely finish from Evanilson to double Bournemouth's lead! 💫 pic.twitter.com/BN9D8uVGwL
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 9, 2025
A goal that encapsulates what Bournemouth are all about! The lively Kluivert expertly lets the ball run across his body before slipping in Evanilson.
The Brazilian just about keeps himself in line with the last defender and nonchalantly lifts the ball over the onrushing Vicario to double the visitors' advantage!
Pape Sarr goal vs. Bournemouth (67th min, Tottenham 1-2 Bournemouth)
Pape Sarr gets on the scoresheet and Spurs are back in the game! 👀 pic.twitter.com/8RXLMX1jJv
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 9, 2025
Was it a shot? Was it a cross? Whatever it was, it has given Tottenham a lifeline!
Just two minutes after Kluivert's goal, Bournemouth are caught out on the right-hand side, as Sarr is allowed to saunter into space and delivers a cross-cum-shot that loops over Kepa Arrizabalaga, strikes the inside of the post and bounces into the back of the net!
Only he will know whether that was intentional - for what it is worth, I think it was - and Spurs have a glimmer of hope out of nothing!
Son Heung-min penalty goal vs. Bournemouth (84th min, Tottenham 2-2 Bournemouth)
Heung-min Son equalises for Spurs from the spot! ⚪️ pic.twitter.com/HpvJ5aquiX
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 9, 2025
Forty-five minutes is a long time in football, as Tottenham demonstrate with a late equaliser through their skipper! James Maddison plays in Son with a delightful through ball, and the South Korean just gets in ahead of Kepa, who dives at his feet and brings him down.
Referee John Brooks has no doubt in his mind and points to the spot right away, and even though Son appears to mess up a panenka attempt, Kepa goes the wrong way and the hosts complete their comeback!
MAN OF THE MATCH - MARCUS TAVERNIER
© Imago
The moment of the match may belong to Kerkez and his extraordinary first-half assist, but the goalscorer himself Tavernier deserves just as much credit for putting the ball away with aplomb, and the attacker put himself about all afternoon.
Tavernier excelled on the playmaking front as well as the goalscoring front, creating three chances, completing two accurate long passes from two attempts and also putting in four tackles before being substituted in the 81st minute.
TOTTENHAM VS. BOURNEMOUTH MATCH STATS
Possession: Tottenham 61%-39% Bournemouth
Shots: Tottenham 12-17 Bournemouth
Shots on target: Tottenham 4-8 Bournemouth
Corners: Tottenham 3-6 Bournemouth
Fouls: Tottenham 15-16 Bournemouth
BEST STATS
8 - No team have scored more goals from open play crosses than Bournemouth (8) in the Premier League this season, with three of those being assisted by Milos Kerkez. Formula. pic.twitter.com/vRsh82iR9g
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 9, 2025
Son Heung-min has now scored the same amount of Premier League goals as Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink (127) and more than Robbie Keane.
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) March 9, 2025
Only 15 players have scored more in the competition's history. ☀️ pic.twitter.com/9pL0McqOCS
WHAT NEXT?
The games continue coming thick and fast for Tottenham, who are under pressure to reverse a 1-0 deficit against AZ Alkmaar in Thursday's Europa League last-16 second leg, before travelling to London rivals Fulham next Sunday in the top flight.
Meanwhile, Bournemouth's final game before the upcoming international break sees Iraola's team welcome Brentford to the Vitality Stadium next Saturday at 5.30pm.
Ben Knapton
