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Bournemouth 0-0 Tottenham Hotspur

By Mark MitchenerBBC Sport at Vitality Stadium

Last updated on .From the section Premier Leaguecomments92

Dele Alli
Tottenham are unbeaten in their opening nine Premier League games of the season

Tottenham missed the chance to move top of the Premier League - at least for a few hours - as they were held to a goalless draw at Bournemouth.

Bournemouth nearly took a shock early lead when Charlie Daniels' close-range effort following a corner was brilliantly saved by Hugo Lloris, the Spurs keeper reacting to deflect the ball onto the bar with his legs.

Spurs' Erik Lamela then hit the crossbar at the other end, and though the visitors raised their game after the break, the Cherries held firm, with keeper Artur Boruc keeping out Dele Alli and Danny Rose, while Bournemouth substitute Benik Afobe headed just over late on.

Meanwhile, referee Craig Pawson upset the home fans who felt Lamela should have been shown a second yellow card, while substitute Moussa Sissoko was not punished for an apparent elbow into Harry Arter's face.

Pawson then waved away late Bournemouth appeals for a penalty when Jack Wilshere went down after a challenge by Jan Vertonghen.

Press for success - but give no quarter

Both managers had praised their opponent's style of play in the build-up and it was no surprise when the game began at a high tempo with both sides attacking freely.

But Bournemouth showed more steel than the side who lost 5-1 to a Harry Kane-inspired Spurs this time last year, with Arter particularly relishing the physical battle, epitomised by a perfectly timed tackle - hard but fair - on Victor Wanyama.

While Tottenham shaded possession, the frenzied nature of the game and the visitors' determination to stop Bournemouth counter-attacking at pace saw Lamela, Vertonghen, Alli and Rose all enter Pawson's notebook before half-time for fouls.

Lamela was perhaps fortunate not to receive a second caution before the break for a challenge no better than those that had earned earlier bookings - minutes after he had struck the bar with a curling shot.

Meanwhile, television replays did not show Spurs' Sissoko in a good light as he clashed with an incensed Arter on the touchline and appeared to throw an elbow.

An England audition?

Jack Wilshere
Playing in the number 10 role, Bournemouth midfielder Jack Wilshere had a total of 44 touches in the match, 13 of which were in the defensive half. His hard-working performance saw him win the ball back nine times, more than any other team-mate.

With interim England boss Gareth Southgate in the stands, it was Alli and Wilshere - potential rivals for the central attacking midfield role - who were at the heart of the most threatening moves.

Alli tested Boruc from long range early in the second half, with the big Pole diving right to palm the ball away - but the 20-year-old only lasted 71 minutes before being withdrawn.

Wilshere, closely shadowed by the towering Wanyama while having every touch booed by the away fans for his Arsenal connections, found space to cross for Callum Wilson who headed wide.

The 24-year-old completed 90 minutes in the Premier League for the first time since 13 September 2014.

Meanwhile, Rose - one of four English full-backs whose buccaneering play must have impressed Southgate - was first wasteful after being set up by Christian Eriksen, skewing his shot across goal, and then foiled by Boruc after trying a low shot with 15 minutes left.

Man of the match - Harry Arter (Bournemouth)

Harry Arter
In the absence of regular midfield partner Andrew Surman, he epitomised Bournemouth's work-rate with another committed display - and just about kept a lid on his emotions after an apparent elbow by Sissoko

What they said:

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe: "I am more proud of the players today than after winning 6-1 last week against Hull. We went toe to toe with an outstanding team and it was a game of real quality. We did not deserve to lose it, we had good moments too. We managed to nullify most of their threat."

Bournemouth 0-0 Tottenham: Eddie Howe says side keep improving

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino: "If we want to be contenders, we need to win games like these.

"It was a very competitive game, they were ready to compete and it was tough. We managed the whole game, but if you don't score it is difficult to win. We fought loads and it is one point more and a clean sheet."

Pressure on Spurs to score goals - Pochettino

The stats you need to know:

  • Tottenham have now gone unbeaten in their opening nine top-flight games of a season for the fourth time in their history (also 1959-60, 1960-61 and 1990-91).
  • Bournemouth have kept as many clean sheets in their past four home Premier League games (three) as they did in their previous 17 matches combined.
  • Midfielder Andrew Surman, who pulled out of the starting line-up with illness after the warm-up, had started the Cherries' previous 86 league games, and been on the pitch for every minute of every Bournemouth Premier League match until this one.
  • Spurs are the only side yet to concede from open play in the Premier League this season.
  • Tottenham were shown more yellow cards against Bournemouth (four) than in any other Premier League game this season.
  • The Cherries have yet to win a Premier League game at home against a side from London (drawn two, lost four).

What's next?

Bournemouth take the long trip up north to face Middlesbrough in the league next Saturday (kick-off 15:00 BST), while Tottenham host champions Leicester at the same time.

Line-ups

Bournemouth

Formation 4-2-3-1

  • 1Boruc
  • 15A Smith
  • 2Francis
  • 3S Cook
  • 11Daniels
  • 4GoslingBooked at 39mins
  • 8Arter
  • 17KingSubstituted forFraserat 88'minutes
  • 32Wilshere
  • 33IbeSubstituted forGradelat 60'minutesBooked at 67mins
  • 13WilsonSubstituted forAfobeat 82'minutes

Substitutes

  • 5Aké
  • 9Afobe
  • 10Gradel
  • 23Federici
  • 24Fraser
  • 26Mings
  • 31Mousset

Tottenham

Formation 4-2-3-1

  • 1Lloris
  • 2Walker
  • 15Dier
  • 5VertonghenBooked at 35mins
  • 3RoseBooked at 43mins
  • 12Wanyama
  • 19Dembélé
  • 23Eriksen
  • 20AlliBooked at 37minsSubstituted forSissokoat 72'minutes
  • 11LamelaBooked at 18mins
  • 7Son Heung-MinSubstituted forJanssenat 62'minutes

Substitutes

  • 9Janssen
  • 13Vorm
  • 16Trippier
  • 17Sissoko
  • 27Wimmer
  • 29Winks
  • 33Davies
Referee:
Craig Pawson
Attendance:
11,201

Match Stats

Home TeamBournemouthAway TeamTottenham
Possession
Home38%
Away62%
Shots
Home8
Away16
Shots on Target
Home1
Away4
Corners
Home7
Away4
Fouls
Home10
Away15

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Bournemouth 0, Tottenham Hotspur 0.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Bournemouth 0, Tottenham Hotspur 0.

  3. Post update

    Foul by Erik Lamela (Tottenham Hotspur).

  4. Post update

    Adam Smith (Bournemouth) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  5. Post update

    Foul by Vincent Janssen (Tottenham Hotspur).

  6. Post update

    Steve Cook (Bournemouth) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  7. Post update

    Attempt missed. Benik Afobe (Bournemouth) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Simon Francis with a cross.

  8. Post update

    Corner, Bournemouth. Conceded by Mousa Dembélé.

  9. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Erik Lamela (Tottenham Hotspur) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Christian Eriksen.

  10. Post update

    Delay over. They are ready to continue.

  11. Substitution

    Substitution, Bournemouth. Ryan Fraser replaces Joshua King.

  12. Post update

    Delay in match Joshua King (Bournemouth) because of an injury.

  13. Post update

    Attempt missed. Christian Eriksen (Tottenham Hotspur) left footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Moussa Sissoko.

  14. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Max Gradel (Bournemouth) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.

  15. Post update

    Foul by Vincent Janssen (Tottenham Hotspur).

  16. Post update

    Dan Gosling (Bournemouth) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  17. Substitution

    Substitution, Bournemouth. Benik Afobe replaces Callum Wilson.

  18. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

  19. Post update

    Corner, Tottenham Hotspur. Conceded by Charlie Daniels.

  20. Post update

    Foul by Vincent Janssen (Tottenham Hotspur).

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92 comments

  • Comment posted by U15543927, at 14:47 22 Oct 2016

    Only Spurs can go 9 games into a PL season undefeated and still be behind Arsenal.

  • Comment posted by DanV, at 14:31 22 Oct 2016

    Spurs don't like being top of the table do they? Even if it is for a few hours, they always manage to find a way of not being 1st....

  • Comment posted by Theo, at 14:29 22 Oct 2016

    Sounds like the ref made a few big mistakes... looks like a good point for Spurs as Bournemouth look tough to beat at home

  • Comment posted by Mansell Mania, at 14:46 22 Oct 2016

    Hard earned point. Bournemouth played very well. Sissoko may get a ban for that, deserves one. Having said that the guy was lucky to be on pitch himself after his tackle on wanyama.

    Spurs aren't quite good enough for the title. We don't have enough goals in us and when teams press us back we struggle.

    Good to dembele getting back to speed though.

  • Comment posted by Robbo , at 15:49 22 Oct 2016

    As a spurs fan yet another frustrating one to watch. Unbeaten....yes, but we should be winning these games. We could go unbeaten all season and still not be in top 6 so saying still unbeaten is daft if we're not winning. Passing was awful and hardly a decent effort on goal = not good enough. Pointless having great possession in matches if we don't make it count....Possession doesn't win you games!

  • Comment posted by albionrising, at 15:27 22 Oct 2016

    Another defensively sound performance from Spurs, but how they could do with a Berahino type goal scorer for these types of games (Callum Wilson would do nicely btw!) Loss would have been harsh on Bournemouth though, they were excellent this afternoon.

  • Comment posted by Hands up who likes me, at 14:33 22 Oct 2016

    Very promising debut for Tottenham new boy Craig Pawson.

  • Comment posted by TheSpur2407, at 17:03 22 Oct 2016

    I don't understand why we (Spurs) keep trying to play like a Barcelona. We don't have the right players to do this, hence we rarely finish off any of our pretty moves. Look great on the eye, but pointless if nobody is going to finish them. We seem to do this more when Kane isn't playing, we tend to have spells when we play more direct in games he plays in.

  • Comment posted by RealFootball, at 15:39 22 Oct 2016

    Same old story for Spurs. I've got a lot of respect for the club but for me they need to take it up another level to be considered 'challengers'.

    They've got an abundance of talent through their spine but no real consistent game changers (unlike the other 'top 5') and for me I anticipate an unsurprising 5th/6th finish and an early CL exit.

  • Comment posted by middle, at 15:39 22 Oct 2016

    Same old problem with spurs not winning the games they are favorites for and destroying any oppurtunities that make them top of the table. Honestly its a viscious circle from a painfully long serving spurs fan.

  • Comment posted by PranR17, at 15:31 22 Oct 2016

    How did Sissoko escape with such little criticism for that elbow? If a Chelsea, Man United or Liverpool player did that all hell would be breaking loose right now!

    Has to get a retrospective ban!!!

  • Comment posted by TransLightning, at 14:53 22 Oct 2016

    Need Kane back without a doubt... not enough goal threat! Son's much better out wide than in the middle. At least we can only be a maximum of 3 points off the top and it's still early in the season but still... need to be winning games like this. Full credit to Bournemouth though! Lamela and Sissoko pretty lucky not to be sent off also, think Sissoko might have a ban coming his way.

  • Comment posted by hahahaha, at 14:50 22 Oct 2016

    Excellent effort from Bournemouth a well deserved point. Harry after was fantastic in midfield. Spurs really need to be winning games like this if they are going to have any chance of winning the title. Spurs fans will hope Harry Kane returning will change their fortunes.

  • Comment posted by theballisround, at 20:09 22 Oct 2016

    Watched the game earlier and I think we are missing a spark. Alli isn't playing as well as last season and we are missing an at his peak Kane (i.e. of last 2 seasons).

    However we are still unbeaten so can't complain too much. Spurs would probably have lost that game (and last weeks game) a few years ago.

  • Comment posted by U15691412, at 15:51 22 Oct 2016

    I love how Arsenal fans have nothing better to do than slate Tottenham.

    Spurs weren't great today and Bournemouth were fantastic. Spurs lack goals; if they're to achieve anything then they'll need to start being more direct.

    They're starting to look like Arsenal, which is a shame. Lots of passing and possession but useless in front of goal. They have much more quality than that.

  • Comment posted by U16583824, at 14:59 22 Oct 2016

    'Wilshere, closely shadowed by the towering Wanyama while having every touch booed by the away fans for his Arsenal connections'

    Good to see such refreshing intelligence

  • Comment posted by They would turn in their graves, at 14:42 22 Oct 2016

    1. Benwell

    "Goal less draws should mean zero points. Can we all agree?"

    How about the point goes to the team who have less money?

  • Comment posted by the_quiet_bloke_in_the_corner, at 15:40 22 Oct 2016

    Spurs just seem to struggle with their own success. Different squads, different managers, same result. They get themselves into a great position, but just can't follow through. A mental block that's cost them a Champions League place in most of the last 10 seasons. What makes it worse is that Arsenal have so often been the beneficiary of their benevolence.

  • Comment posted by kenny_burns_kneecap, at 15:00 22 Oct 2016

    spurs performance was more toothless than harry arter after the elbow. see you in 3 weeks minimum, sissoko.

  • Comment posted by U16217506, at 14:41 22 Oct 2016

    @ 3 leg end blues

    In a land of Richards there is no doubt you are the head !!

As It Stood

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Arsenal96211991020
2Liverpool96212011920
3Man City86111981119
4Tottenham9540134919
5Chelsea8512159616
6Everton9432138515
7Man Utd8422138514
8Southampton8332107312
9Watford93331313012
10Bournemouth93331212012
11Crystal Palace93241212011
12Leicester93241115-411
13West Brom92431010010
14Burnley9315813-510
15West Ham93151017-710
16Stoke9234916-79
17Middlesbrough9144711-47
18Hull9216822-147
19Swansea9126815-75
20Sunderland9027616-102
View full Premier League table

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