Spurs 3 Bournemouth 2: Dele at the Double to Sink Cherries

tottenhamA rejuvenated Dele Alli was the hero as Spurs continued their 100% record under new manager Jose Mourinho. In a quiet afternoon for Harry Kane, Dele assumed goalscoring responsibility with a timely double in Saturday’s 3-2 win over Bournemouth while the third came from an unlikely source.

Moussa Sissoko scored the goal of the game with a perfectly placed volley. Ultimately, it proved to be the winner and while two late Bournemouth goals took the gloss off the scoreline, it was another positive 90 minutes for the new man in charge.

Dele Demolition

Toby Alderweireld was to prove provider with a raking, Glenn Hoddle-like ball over the top of the visitors’ defence on 21 minutes. Son Heung-Min controlled the pass, rolling the ball into Dele’s path before the England international provided the finishing touch.

Tottenham should have been 2-0 up by the break but a clear handball was missed by the officials. Nevertheless, the home fans didn’t have to wait long before the lead was doubled as Dele claimed his second on 50 minutes. It was almost a carbon copy of the first as Alderweireld’s long ball was collected and lofted over the advancing keeper.

Sissoko made it 3-0 on 69 minutes and at that point we were cruising but instead of increasing the advantage, the defence allowed the Cherries to come back into the game. Harry Wilson scored twice and it needed a late Jan Vertonghen block to prevent a share of the points and the final whistle was, therefore, greeted with some relief.

Resilience

jose mourinho

Jose Mourinho

Speaking after the game, manager Jose Mourinho said:

We have to be more aggressive, more dominant, like we were at the beginning of the second half.

The second half was so solid that I didn’t see us conceding a goal but then the free kick and the game is open again.

But I would be much, much more worried if we couldn’t produce good football, if couldn’t score goals then I would be much more worried, if the team didn’t have the spirit and resilience until the end. Three matches, no time to rest, really hard but amazing spirit.

Old Trafford Test

Two wins in two matches have lifted Spurs all the way up the table from 14th to 5th and with Chelsea losing to West Ham at the weekend, we are now six points behind Chelsea who occupy the final Champions League place.

It’s been a hugely positive start for Jose so far but Wednesday is likely to provide his toughest test to date. Spurs travel to Mourinho’s former club Manchester United and while the Red Devils are struggling for form right now, we can expect them to raise their game in this 7.30pm kick off.

Following that trip to Manchester, we will welcome Burnley to the new White Hart Lane in another Saturday 3pm kick off. It’s important to keep the momentum going and to maintain the pressure on the top four but once again, it’s a much better feeling going into Monday morning on the back of a win.

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