Tottenham move into pole position to buy Bournemouth striker

Callum Wilson has made no secret of his wage demands, if anyone is going to bid for him this summer. He may have frozen a few clubs out by asking for £75,000 a week, but Tottenham are willing to meet those demands, according to the Daily Express.

Is Callum's new home going to be at Tottenham? 

A move to a London club is ideal for Wilson who may not have to completely up root his young family to play at Spurs. Going to a top six club and playing his football under an established manager like José Mourhino would be a big step up for the former Coventry striker. There maybe difficulty for him in getting opportunities to play next to Harry Kane, but if Spurs dd look to play that way, it could really help Wilson's England claims, if he does well in the same side as Kane.

Advertisement

Eddie Had a Dream eBook version -£7.99!

What we don't know is how much Spurs are willing to pay Bournemouth to sign Callum. It could be £25m or above, but the deal could be lowered if Spurs say they are willing to pay his wages and Callum is keen to go there. It certainly doesn't look like Callum will be with Bournemouth much longer, and for our club it is best if the done is concluded quickly, so that Bournemouth have the funds to go and get a replacement.

Advertisement

Coastal Garden Buildings

It is rather concerning that we haven't seem Bournemouth exercise any buying in the market yet and with 12 September not far away, I expect I am not alone in hoping for some action in the other direction. Bournemouth's bank balance is not going to win games if some of the money is not reinvested in players.

Advertisement

Coastal Garden Buildings

I would think that Callum's agent has been pressing his move as we are also getting near to the start of the new season, and for any player it is unsettling if you don't know where you will be playing next season.

Previous post on Cherry Chimes - The Disrupted Season 2019-20 - out next month

The Disrupted Season 2019-20 (ebook) can now be pre-ordered - click this link

Wilson can expect interest to grow in him this summer

Spurs and Everton are willing to battle it out for Callum Wilson's signature. Everton are the latest team that are said to be gathering a bid of £35m for the prospect for signing England forward Callum Wilson. The eyes of the Leagues' top Premier League clubs can see goals with Callum and while it might not be too much problem if only one or two clubs see Wilson as a target, it may become a summer of unwanted transfer speculation and bids for AFCB's No 13 if he does exceedingly well in the Nations League.

Callum Wilson has everyone's attention.

Callum will no doubt be on the main pages of most of the national newspapers this summer if he does get to start in an England shirt. Heaven knows what the press will be like of England actually win their first senior trophy since 1966 and if Wilson gets the winning goal. AFCB would become one of the nation's most well-liked teams and the interest from those wanting to poach the young England striker could start to escalate as well as the possible transfer fee.

But it's all hypothetical at the moment. Wilson has only made two appearances for England and scored on his debut. The jump up to what captain Harry Kane has achieved is a pretty big step and Wilson could well be the man who is asked to fill those boots this summer if Kane is not fully recovered. There is competition from Marcus Rashford as well, but the pathway for Wilson is opening up and it is likely to be a busy summer for him.

Advertisement

Coastal Garden Buildings

That puts Wilson right in front of the managers who are trying to strengthen their attack for next season. Whether we like it or not, Wilson will be linked with potential moves and the pace of that could well build into something that intensifies as the transfer window nears closure, especially if some seriously big money gets banded about. 

Bournemouth will particularly resist wanting to sell to a club like Everton who they want to catch, but if Bournemouth succeed in holding onto there most prized asset they have to ensure that he is not burnt out for the new season. It may only be a couple of international games over the summer, but the transfer talk rumour mill also takes its toll on players if they start to think they can move and become disappointed that it doesn't happen.

I have my fingers crossed that Wilson sees his future at the club that got him the international cap and that winning something while at Bournemouth is an ambition he wants to fulfil.

Cherry Chimes Newsletter - out today!
Cherry Chimes' June Newsletter brings you the best stories on the blog and the thoughts behind them from last month. It's out today, with special story - Do AFCB need to worry about players leaving?
To sign up for the newsletter just complete the form below - like all good things it's free!

Email Address 

First Name

Last Name

Email Format

• html
• text

Can Wilson keep scoring?

The seventh Premier League goal for Wilson at Man City was rather unusual in being a headed goal for him. He might have had several other goals had his luck been in, but he is getting in the right places to get the goals.

Can Callum boost his goal count against Huddersfield with a hat-trick?

The England call up has certainly given him more confidence. Putting himself in front of goal and not being afraid of missing is what we need from him. Against Man City I thought he could have scored three having not quite managed to get on to a cross that bounced up in front of Edison, and having not quite connected with a chance at the near post in the second half.

Playing with Josh King perhaps gives Wilson more opportunities than with any other striker in the Bournemouth squad, and the physical nature of Huddersfield's game means the two strikers will need to be just as aggressive on Tuesday night. Bournemouth will try and get back on the front foot and look to find their incisive offensive play. It suits Wilson to be on the turn and speeding towards goal, and at home he has a good record with his last goal coming against Man United.

Advertisement

Coastal Garden Buildings

Callum is now equal fifth in the Premier League goal scorer's chart. Being only three goals behind Aubameyang and a goal behind Aguero, Sterling and Kane a good game on Tuesday could see Callum rise further up the chart. 

Win a Cherry Chimes T-Shirt

Try and guest the correct score for Bournemouth v Huddersfield and Tweet your answer to @CherryChimes before 12.00pm on Tuesday. We will pick a winner from those who predict the correct score.

FA Cup
AFC Bournemouth are ball number 1 tonight in the third round draw for the FA Cup. Tunein on BBC One at 7.30pm.

Can AFCB catch Spurs at the right time?

Tottenham will be pressing for three points when they visit Dean Court as they chase after a top four finish. But only Man City have so far taken six points off of Bournemouth this season and having stopped Arsenal and Chelsea there would be a lot of satisfaction if Eddie Howe can work out a way to prevent Spurs from collecting all the points on Sunday.

Tottenham have not always won at Dean Court with a 0-0 score line in October 2016.

The game being played on Sunday gives Tottenham a chance to recover form their mid-week Champions League defeat against Juventus. Pochettino can probably still play a very strong team despite the mid-week game and catching Spurs on a bad day doesn't happen that often. They are unbeaten in their last 10 Premier League games and the last team to beat them at an away ground was Man City on 16 December. Harry Kane leads the goal chart with 24 league goals, so we know who the danger man is and yet Christian Eriksen has seven assists and Son Heung-Min has 10 goals.

It's not going to be easy to quell the forward power of Spurs and looking for a weakness at the back isn't simple either. Spurs have notched up 14 clean sheets and it's not surprising Hugo Lloris is well down on the Premier League's save stats at 15th, as he is so well protected. Spurs look even more solid at the back with the return of Jan Vertonghen in their last match against Huddersfield having overcome an ankle knock, but Toby Alderweireld has been struggling with a hamstring problem for several months and didn't play in mid-week against Juventus. Full back Segre Aurier is likely to play against the Cherries having not been able to play against Juventus due to a ban.

Advertisement

Broom Hill Garden Buildings

You wonder where Tottenham might have been this season had Deli Alli found regular form. They have good players everywhere and the problem Bournemouth have is not trying to play the names but just concentrate on trying to get their own game going. We saw that they could do that when the two sides played at Wembley earlier in the season, but creating goal opportunities was something that Eddie Howe was disappointed with. It's going to need a full-hearted effort to make Hugo Loris feel like he is in a game this weekend, but Bournemouth must try because every point is critical and even a home match against Spurs has to be seen as an opportunity to pick up points, rather than a problem.

Possible AFCB line up.

AFCB Subs: Boruc, Simpson, Surman, Taylor, Fraser, Mousset, Defoe

AFCB Home Form
DWWWD

Spurs Away Form
WWDDW

Premier Talk - Are West Ham in meltdown?

T-Shirt Competition
Guess the right score between AFCB and Spurs to try and win a Cherry Chimes T-Shirt. If more than one person guesses correctly we will pick a winner out of the hat. Send your predictions in to @Cherry Chimes

Rival Lines: Do you know who is the full-back whisperer?

Rival Lines
Match Preview: Spurs v AFCB
Blogger Interview: Windy Coys
Twitter @WindyCOYS.com
Our first Rival Lines this week from a Spurs fan comes from Chris at Windy COYS who is taking me back to my childhood with Windy Miller! The wind is certainly in Tottenham's sales at present and the Cherries need to find a way of slowing down their goal machine of a side that has been chasing the Manchester clubs with some relish. But they have found it a bit harder going against teams like Swansea City so can AFCB give Windy Miller a fright?

CC: What do you think is the main reasons why Spurs have found it difficult to get wins at Wembley so far?

WC: It's just different. Different pitch, different atmosphere, different changing rooms, different journey, different routines. Plus you've got clubs coming along and upping their games by a certain amount because they're playing at the national stadium. Tactically, our defensive style suits a narrow pitch, and in many ways so does our attacking play (we don't have many touchline huggers), but I think that's the bit we can adapt to more easily. The other stuff will come in time, and we're lucky that our away form has created a momentum which will hopefully translate.

CC: Do you think Eric Dier has not been influencing games as much as he might or is this the system?

WC: He's probably been a bit more low-key this year and it's true that he's not as heralded as Victor Wanyama (who had a sensational first season for us) but I thought he was terrific against Huddersfield, making so many timely interceptions and then putting us on the front-foot quickly with intelligent use of the ball.

CC: Is your biggest fear going to be the prospect of an injury to Harry Kane at some point this season?

WC: Yes, always. He's basically irreplaceable for us. We've got goals in the team elsewhere too, but you can't replace what Kane does. We would just have to adjust. Let's hope it doesn't come to that!

CC: Could we see a weakened side against Bournemouth with Spurs having to play Real Madrid three days later?

WC: I think that's possible. But when I say weakened, maybe a couple of tweaks -- Sissoko may play this one, or Trippier might play one and Aurier the other. That sort of thing.

Advertisement

Broomhill Garden Conservatories

CC: Do you see October as a crucial month for Spurs with Liverpool and Man Utd fixtures also coming up and are you confident of catching the Manchester teams?

WC: I'm confident of catching United but I think City have another gear to go into and their array of attacking talent is phenomenal. It *is* a big month, though, with Real, Liverpool and United, plus a derby against West Ham in the cup. If we can get positive results in the majority of those it would stand us in excellent stead. A couple of losses could take the gloss off what's been a generally good start.

CC: Which win has given you most satisfaction this season?

WC: Dortmund. It was a cracking team performance – resilient, counter-attacking, vibrant. It felt like a big one.

CC: Ben Davies is playing well, Kieran Trippier is in the England team and Kyle-Walker Peters looks another great prospect - is Spurs becoming a conveyor belt for wing backs?

WC: Pochettino has been referred to as 'The Full-Back Whisperer' in these parts for a while, because look what he did with Luke Shaw, Nathaniel Clyne, Kyle Walker and Danny Rose too. Astonishing, really. Davies has been one of our best players so far this season, and nobody would have predicted that.

CC: Is all the talk about Harry Winks justified?

WC: He's terrific. His injury came at an unfortunate time for him last year as he was just starting to blossom, but Pochettino has brought him back in slowly this year, and now he's fully fit I expect him to take Sissoko's place (with Wanyama still out). He has bags of ability, and he has been training with the first team since he was 16, so though his appearances have been limited, he's more accustmed to the first team than one might think on the surface.

CC: Have you been surprised by Bournemouth's poor start to the season?

WC: Yes, I really thought you'd be flying this year - I predicted 11th for your league finish, which of course is still possible. It seemed as though you'd added well to an already decent squad. Things aren't really clicking, though, and I think Howe needs to tweak things.

CC: I'm going to have to ask for a score prediction? (And at this stage I might have to hide behind the couch!)

WC: I'm feeling really confident at the moment so I'll say 3-0 Spurs. I hope for your sake that your boys turn up at least!

CC: Superb answers from Chris there. I'm confident AFCB will turn up against Spurs as they have to try and pick up points as soon as they can. Whether they can play as well as a team like Dortmund we'll have to see but I'm kind of hoping Pochettino will want to rest a few star names in this one ahead of Real Madrid. Do drop in on Windy Coys - it's one of my favourite Premier League blogs and there's a Spur's podcast too. called the Fighting Cock, which has a zonal marking episode recently recorded.

Spurs give AFCB the run around 4-0

Match Report

15 April 2017

Tottenham 4 v 0 AFCB

Attendance: 31,943

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.

Advertisement

Broomhill Garden Conservatories

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.

Advertisement

Broomhill Garden Conservatories

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.

Spurs are much better than last season's team

Spurs have been amazing at home in 2017
and are unbeaten this year at White Hart Lane.

I thought Spurs would go close to winning the title last season, and while they are still chasing this season I am convinced they are a much stronger outfit now. Their forward line has been strengthened as was shown by the way the continued to rack up the points even when Harry Kane has been recovering from injury. The goals have been flowing and it's not just Deli Ali that is exciting the fans at White Hart Lane.

Tottenham have only had one defeat on their last 10 games when they had a 2-0 defeat at Liverpool, but recently they have been ruthless at dispatching teams especially at home. It was the win against Swansea City though that has made people sit up again and ponder if this Spurs side can really still catch Chelsea. To win games in the last few minutes gives a tremendous boost to a team and Spurs are still riding on that win.

Advertisement

Broomhill Garden Conservatories

Their forward line has really improved since the form of Son Heung-Min has taken off. He is not a player that automatically fitted into Pochettino's system, but he has become a regular starter now and is proving deadly accurate when he comes in from the wing and unleashes shots. With 11 goals and four assists, Son has made a big impact and not just for his hand-dancing goal celebrations. 

It has taken Christian Eriksen much longer to get into Pochettiono's thoughts, but he has started to deliver this season and has been able to react as soon as he got his chance with Kane being out of the team. Eric Lamela is another player that is full of potential and if he can put consistent performances in it starts to become apparent that Spurs are developing a side that has able replacements for when one of their big hitters needs a few games out.

AFCB did well to hold Spurs, without a certain Mr Kane, down at Dean Court earlier this season, but this game will be very much harder and I have a feeling it will be Spur's attack that will see most of the ball on Saturday.

Tottenham Home Form
WWWWW

AFCB Away Form
LLDDD

AFCB were just not on song at White Hart Lane

The Cherries came down to earth with a bit of a bang against Spurs at the weekend. I suppose it is not surprising that every now and again your team is going to have a poor performance no matter who you support, but AFCB fans should not be too downhearted about this one game. The gulf in class was immense on the day and it is something that gives Eddie Howe and his team can now work towards rather than trying to pick too many holes in their own performance.

As it was though there were some aspects of the game that could have been better handled by the Cherries. The first minutes are just as important as the last and you get close to players early on to ensure they don't get an easy ride in their own home surroundings. AFCB just were not fully focussed for whatever reason at the start of this match and they were punished.

AFCB's first visit to White Hart Lane was not
one that will stick long in the memory of our fans.

The second goal was much more to do with Spurs' vision through Delle Alli and Kane's ability to take a goal well rather than slack defending, but the centre halves were up against it all afternoon with the movement and quality that Kane had. The third goal I suppose was a handling error from Artur but the defence did not close the shot down and they were not first to react either when Eriksen saw the chance to stab the ball home. 

During the whole match I thought that Spurs were also able to get in behind without too much difficulty. Eddie Howe may have felt that they could leave some space behind and that Harry Kane was not quick enough to out sprint Francis but he had enough to keep Francis at bay and if the Cherries were trying to compress the play with a small gap between the defence and the attack, it would have been important for the Cherries not to give the ball away so often, and I would expect the turnovers of balls won in midfield were very much in favour of the white shirts.

While defending against the best teams is always problematical, even Eddie found it hard to explain why Spurs were so much better on the day. AFCB certainly contributed to their own difficulties though and it is in these games where the team will learn much more about what they need to work on so from that respect it is not all bad.

Why not find out the thoughts of Mike Dunne and Stephen Allen at All Departments to see if he can shed more light on where AFCB might seek improvements after this defeat. Visit the All Departments' website to listen back to the podcast.

Back of the Net podcast is also out today - Episode 5 Let's fill it with Seagulls. I hope they don't want to fill AFCB's revamped ground with Brighton supporters! 

You can also take in some of the scenes from around White Hart Lane on Match Day Gallery.

The Cherries are Kaned by Spurs' title push 3-0

Match Report

Tottenham Hotspur v AFCB

20 March 2016

Attendance: 36,084

Welcome to White Hart Lane.

The Cherries visited White Hart Lane expecting a severe test. It only took some 44 seconds or so for that to be turned into mountainous task as Harry Kane thundered Spurs ahead from short range after a right wing cross from Kyle Walker. Suddenly AFCB's unbeaten run was under threat and on 16 minutes the lead was doubled by Harry Kane second having held off the attentions of Simon Francis and slipped the ball past Artur Boruc. The Cherries seemed shell shocked and chasing the ball seemed the new afternoon game as they struggled to get some kind of foothold in the game. Spurs had shown how ruthless they were in front of goal and while AFCB recovered to mount more of a competitive second half a third goal from Christian Eriksen only confirmed the superiority that Spurs had in this game. The difference in class was vast and that will give Eddie Howe lots to think about.

Spurs team.

The two teams shake hands.

Harry Arter returned to the starting 11 for AFCB and the Cherries lined up in a 4-4-2 formation with King and Afobe taking the attack to Spurs. Dan Gosling slipped to the bench. 

AFC Bournemouth fans - Carl, Charlotte and Curt give their pre-match views.

The two captains in the middle.

More pictures will be shown later tonight on Match Day Gallery.

The match started with just about the most horrendous few seconds of play that Eddie Howe would have wanted to see. From a throw that was quickly passed back to Hugo Lloris, Spurs built their first attack down the right wing with Kyle Walker and an early cross to the centre of Bournemouth's box was met first by Harry Kane, who had split the two centre backs and got his foot ahead of Francis to finish neatly passed Boruc - 1-0 and most of us simply checked the time on our watches! Yes, it was under a minute!

There are setbacks and then there are setbacks. This goal sent shock waves around the ground. It was just the start to make Spurs feel comfortable that they would close the gap of table topping Leicester City, while AFCB had to some how show that they could pick themselves up better than when the teams met last time.

However, Spurs were euphoric in the passing and execution of play. They were cutting through the Cherries at will and it was Ritchie, King and Smith just trying to get a tackle in or just get near the opposition. Kyle Walker was given all the space he wanted on the right side and Danny Rose was doing equally well on the left winning a corner off of Simon Francis.

AFCB did get a few passes going but not for long as Harry Kane put a header wide on 10 minutes. Boruc's goal kick that went straight out of play just added to the nerves. Francis was getting tackled in on Ali only to find the ball breaking to Danny Rose. The ball just stuck with white shirts and when Arter could not get anywhere near Lamella, fouling him was the best he could do. Adam Smith had to concede another corner on 13 minutes, but the resulting shot from Kyle Walker was well over.

Relief was short lived though. Dele Alli played a simple pass through the middle for Harry Kane to find enough space in behind Simon Francis and he calmly slid the ball past Artur Boruc to double the lead on 15 minutes with Steve Cook unable to get a challenge in.

AFCB just looked second in every department and it looked like it was going to be a very long game for the team that looked nothing like the side that had played so well in recent matches. Players were simply not doing their jobs well enough and the gaps that were left behind were being filled by the white shirts who were in full control. Another Spurs corner was followed by a blast over the bar by Christian Eriksen, but it was all one way traffic.

It was a delight merely to see Max Gradel win a free kick. Dembele was first to every ball in the middle and even if he flattened Ritchie, Spurs would soon win the ball back. Daniels could not get his runs going up the left and blocks were the order of the day as Rose and Walker commanded the wings.

When Steve Cook conceded another corner on 29 minutes he and King crashed into each other when trying to clear the same ball from the corner. All individual battles were being lost and Spurs were able to turnover the ball with simple ease. Even when playing at the back a simple ball back to Boruc from Cook caused the Polish keeper to almost trip himself up before making a clearance. He was soon kept on his toes by another shot from Harry Kane.

It was something of a small victory when Josh King won a corner on 36 minutes even if it did not result in a shooting chance. Next, one of Spurs' best moves could easily have ended in a goal but was ruled  for offside. Rose fed the ball to Dier who slipped in Alli to finish before the flag went up. Kane was the man offside though.

AFCB's only shot of the half followed with Steve Cook heading over from a deep free kick to the far post. All the action was down the other end and this time Dele Alli had Boruc at full stretch to his right to keep the score at 2-0. It could have happened moments later when AFCB gave the ball away again but Kane's cross went just wide of Eriksen and the goal. Half time just could not come soon enough!

AFCB get ready to make their subs at the start of the second half.

Lewis Grabban was on for the second half.

Second Half
Two subs were made by AFCB as Lewis Grabban replaced Arter and Eunan O'Kane came on for Benik Aobe. The work rate of the Cherries went up immediately and a quickly taken free kick saw King run around the wall and had his shot blocked.

That good start by AFCB was soon returned with a Spurs break from the corner at their end that saw Walker shoot wide, Gradel and King were looking more active but Alderweireld would clear any real danger with time to spare.

The contest was then completely over when Lamella passed to Kane on the run and the number 10's powerful shot could only be spilt by Boruc at the waiting feet of Eriksen who made it 3-0 on 52 minutes.

While the Cherries had begun to win the odd corners it was damage limitation now. The second half was better with O'Kane going on busy runs and Josh King chasing hard up front but the game was already lost. Grabban was also an AFCB player that was doing all he could to get the side going and showed he had plenty of battling qualities. As soon as Francis did similarly and put a hand on Kane's shoulder referee Neil Swarbrick gave him a yellow card.

Gradel was having no less problems in getting past Rose. Spurs started to make their subs with Lamella replaced by Carroll on 65 minutes.

Adam Smith was doing well in taking the game to Spurs with his dribbles but he could not beat them all, Surman's speculative high delivery in the box saw he ball come off the back of Grabban's head and just fall wide.

Gradel was then subbed for Marc Pugh on 69 minutes. Smith was looking forlorn at seeing another of his crosses over hit. Grabban at least won a corner with 12 minutes to go. Spurs soon cleared though and a clever reverse ball payed in Carroll and the Dele Ali somehow shot wide!

Spurs subbed Dele Alli after that for Mason to play out the last eight minutes. There was some pleasure to see Mason and then Eriksen blocked on 86 minutes by Boruc, while Pugh did a few turns before getting robbed of the ball. Even at the end it was Kane shooting just wide of Boruc's left post.

Dier was replaced by Chadli as three minutes of added time went up and the only shot from Eriksen in that period flew well over.

All over - thank goodness!

Summary
A bad day at the office for sure. We marked Harry Kane out as a man that the Cherries had to stop, but in truth the whole Spurs team were the problem. The Cherries never got going in this one and the pink shirts could not hide the amount of quality that they fell short of needing against one of the best sides in the Premier League. It could have been much worse than three and really it was a collective low par performance. In Cheltenham week the Cherries were just not at the races. There will be lots to talk about when the team jets of to Dubai and Eddie Howe will want to see a very different kind of game when the Cherries take on Man City in a couple of weeks time. 

Spurs were very good, but the Cherries did not make things that difficult for them and those that came on in the second half showed a little more spirit and pride. It is hard to criticise when the boys have had such a great season, but the two games against Spurs have been disappointing. Two shots for AFCB all game and none on target kind of tells the story that they were on the pitch but not fully engaged in this one, despite their best efforts.

A poor day for the Cherries but there have not been too many of them this season.

AFCB 
Boruc, Smith, Francis, Cook, Daniels, Ritchie, Arter (O'Kane 45), Surman,  Gradel (Pugh 65), King, Afobe (Grabban 45)

AFCB Ratings
Boruc 4, Smith 5, Francis 4, Cook 5, Daniels 5, Ritchie 5, Arter 5 (O'Kane 6), Surman 6, Gradel 5 (Pugh 5), King 6, Afobe 4 (Grabban 6)

AFCB subs
Federici, Distin, Elphick, Pugh, Gosling, O'Kane, Grabban

Spurs
Lloris, Walker, Alderweireld, Wimmer, Rose, Dembélé, Dier (Chadli 90), Lamela (Carroll 66), Eriksen, Alli (Mason 82), Kane

Spurs Subs
Vorm, Trippier, Walker-Peters, Carroll, Chadli, Son Heung-min, Mason

Referee watch: Neil Swarbrick 3/10 - one yellow card, Spurs were never gong to get a player booked with this ref. 

The score prediction prize was won by David Lambert @mrbert71 who correctly predicted 3-0 to Spurs for this game. Well done David!