Match Report
15 April 2017
Tottenham 4 v 0 AFCB
Attendance: 31,943
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| AFCB's last game at White Hart Lane was an uncomfortable afternoon. |
It was a slick Spurs performance that coasted into a two goal lead by half time in this match. Moussa Dembele and Son Heung-Min were making life tough for Bournemouth with their running and while the first goal came from a corner that Simon Francis felt was a clear goal kick, the ball was soon to nestle in the back of the net, as Dembele made the most of the ball that came to him at the far post. With in a flash it was 2-0, as a neat lay off from Kane set Son past Arter and Steve Cook to beat Boruc. It was never in doubt that Spurs would make it seven wins in a row when Harry Kane scored just a couple of minutes into the second half after Francis couldn't get to the Tottenham stroker. The final hammer blow came when Janssen, who had not scored all season, snatched an added time goal to make it a convincing 4-0 win.
Junior Stanislas made his return to the starting line up for AFCB, replacing Ryan Fraser who has had some illness in the week and was moved to the bench. Tyrone Mings also returned to the bench having served his five match suspension and there was no place for Brad Smith or Jordan Ibe on the bench. It was also Boruc's 100th Premier league appearance.
Meanwhile, Harry Kane returned up front for Spurs, while Lloris came back in goal in place of Vorm. Sissoko was moved to the bench.
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Match description
Spurs ensured that all their players got an early touch. There was no panic to Spurs' play as they passed their way around the pitch and not too much urgency. By the third minute AFCB already had everyone back in their own half.
Harry Kane had an early shot blocked by Steve Cook for the first corner. Simon Francis had to put the ball out at the near post from an Eriksen cross, before Wilshere put the ball out for a third corner to Spurs. This time Eriksen put in a good cross that found Kane who was isolated but offside. Still Boruc made the save diving to his right, low down.
AFCB were doing well at being compact and stopping Son and Walker getting down the wings. A strong header by Cook sent King on his way as AFCB came forward for the first time on nine minutes.
Adam Smith was unlucky not to get a free kick, as AFCB start to enjoy some possession in the Spur's half.
Walker worked up the right and cut back to pick out Dembele who's shot was well hit, but saved down low to his left by Boruc on 13 minutes. Adam Smith then shut the door on Christian Eriksen just outside the box for a Spurs' free kick. Josh King got the header away though.
AFCB then gave a corner away when Francis thought it would be a goal kick, and Moussa Dembele smashes in the first goal on 16 minutes, firing the shot down and past Marc Pugh on the goal line. It's 1-0 to Spurs. Steve Cook left Dembele unmarked by getting sucked in to where the corner first came into the box.
Son goes on a run and picked the ball in front of Harry Arter, beating Steve Cook on his left side and scoring the second, through Boruc's legs on 19 minutes. It was looking routine for Spurs.
Dembele gave AFCB a free kick in the middle of the Spurs half when he brought down Wilshere. Stanislas took the kick but failed to find Steve Cook. Stanislas then put in a strong cross for King that Walker had to put out for a corner on 23 minutes. A line of AFCB players stood by the penalty spot but Steve Cook headed well over.
Adam Smith won a free kick off of Ali to get AFCB going again. Dembele then caught Arter in the middle of the pitch. King almost made something of the free kick, but couldn't get a shot away. Stanislas next puts in a fabulous cross behind the Spurs' defenders but Afobe could not stretch far enough to connect with it.
A poor kick from Boruc gave Ali the chance to get more pressure on AFCB but it was thankfully an opportunity that Spurs could not capitalise on. Spurs came again though, Dembele played a quick pass to Eriksen who almost got Kane in, only for Steve Cook to make a great interception on 32 minutes.
Wilshere and Arter were having to battle extremely hard against Dembele just to get the ball. Kane had a gentle touch to set up Eriksen who shot well, but Boruc again saved AFCB, pushing the ball out for a corner. All AFCB could do was punt the ball up field whenever they got a sight of the ball.
Davis came down the right and put a ball into Son who turned well and pulled it back for Eriksen who went close, firing just over. Spurs are just swamping the Cherries, there is no rest bite.
Eriksen returned the favour for Son, crossing the ball towards the D of AFCB's box but Son hit his low shot tamely right at Boruc. Adam Smith then needed some attention after clashing with Ali and Francis and coming off worst. Smith stays on but is clearly injured. Two minutes of time were added on for the half.
Adam Smith won a free kick to give AFCB a late chance in the half. Cook and Pugh tried to make something of the ball in the box, but were over powered. Kane then tried to make a break but was kept out at the other end by some strong defending. HT- 2-0.
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Second half
Adam Smith is not subbed and comes out for the second half. AFCB are out early. Josh King's charge was swiftly stopped by Dier's tackle from behind.
Arter could not get his pass close enough to Afobe and with the ball back down AFCB's left a cross into Kane spelt danger. He turned Francis and found the bottom corner to make it 3-0, bottom right corner. Francis stood off Kane too much there.
It's going to be a long half for the Cherries. Kane was slipped in again on 51 minutes by Eriksen but he shot close enough for Boruc for the Bournemouth keeper to make the save low to his right. Ali then played in Kane and Boruc made another save to his left this time.
Wilshere took a knock from Kane, but seems to be okay. Spurs win a corner as Steve Cook can't get the ball out from the back. Jack Wilshere is subbed first and Lewis Cook comes on after 56 minutes. Francis puts the ball out for another corner and Boruc catches it after Son put a cross in.
Boruc is getting annoyed that the Cherries aren't launching it up field. Spurs are in full control here. The Cherries are continually pressed back and Stanislas makes a foul. Eriksen lines this one up and hits the wall.
Sixty minutes have gone and I don't think Loris has had one shot to save yet. Harry Kane takes an early shot after Son puts him in but Boruc can cope with that. Spurs are winning the ball in Bournemouth's half and making chances all the time.
Dier was next to have a go at scoring keeping the ball alive in the box before seeing his shot deflected behind for a corner. All AFCb can do is kick it long and the ball is swiftly returned. Arter plays a clever reverse ball out to Stanislas who has a shot blocked - better from AFCB.
Arter puts the ball out for a corner to Spurs taking it off Eriksen before he shoots. Boruc has to make a save from a long shot from Eriksen. Son now is blocked by Daniels who takes the shot full in the face!
Arter takes out Ali and it's a free kick to Spurs that Cook clears. Ryan Fraser comes on after 68 minutes with Stanislas being taken off. Son has a shot that Boruc saves. Fraser gets a yellow for a late challenge on Davies - no arguments there.
Son puts a shot horribly wide of the goal but he is offside anyway. Lys Mousset is coming on next for AFCB. Daniels has a snap shot but Lloris catches it at a nice height - at least it is a shot on target. Indeed, Spurs fans sing "You've had a shot."
Corner to Spurs. Davies has a shot and Boruc grasps it well low down. Pugh now gas and finds King who hits a shot miles over.
Mousset replaces Afobe on 77 minutes. Jane is subbed for Victor Wanyama. Eriksen puts in a cross that Arter puts behind.
Dembele puts a pass through for Son and Son puts the shot into the side netting. It's a corner though. AFCB are just having to chase white shirts all around the pitch.
Fraser and Daniels work the ball well on the left, but Daniels shot spoons off the outside of his boot. Dele Ali is subbed on 83 minutes and Mousasa Sissoko comes on. Eriksen is subbed for Vincent Janssen to come on.
Three added minutes were to be played. Spurs are still pushing and Son wins another corner. The ball comes to Janssen. He has two goes at it and fires Spurs' fourth in. Steve Cook saved the first shot on the line but could not prevent the second from going in. Janssen's first Premier League goal.
Summary
AFCB will not have enjoyed this game too much. They were outplayed and out fought in the end by some masterful play by Spurs. They must put this behind them quickly for two very important games coming up against the bottom two. Tottenham were just on another level and the early second half goal from Harry Kane really finished the contest. What is disappointing is that AFCB failed to work the Spurs' keeper hard. They had pretty much no last third football in this game and they found it almost impossible to get out of their own half for the entire 90 minutes.
Spurs
Lloris (C), Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies, Dier, Dembele, Son, Eriksen (Janssen 87), Ali (Sissoko), Kane (Wanyama 78).
Spurs Subs
Lopez, Trippier, Wimmer, Wanyama, Onomah, Sissoko, Janssen.
AFCB
Boruc, A Smith, Francis, Cook, Daniels, Stanislas (Fraser 68), Arter, Wilshere (L Cook 56) , Pugh, King, Afobe (Mousset 77)
AFCB Subs
Allsop, Mings, Cargill, L Cook, Fraser, Gradel, Mousset
AFCB Ratings
Boruc 6, A Smith 5, Francis 5, Cook 5, Daniels 5, Stanislas 6 (Fraser 5), Arter 6, Wilshere 5 (L Cook 5) , Pugh 5, King 6, Afobe 5 (Mousset 5)
Referee: Michael Oliver - 5/10 a few home favoured calls on challenges and corner/goal kick decisions.
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