Bournemouth 0-0 Tottenham: Spurs' unbeaten run continues at Vitality Stadium

By Patrick Surlis

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Tottenham missed the chance to go top of the Premier League as they were held to a goalless draw at Bournemouth on Saturday.

The hosts' best chance fell to Charlie Daniels after just five minutes but Hugo Lloris - Tottenham's hero against Bayer Leverkusen in midweek - expertly tipped the defender's effort onto the bar.

Spurs, who controlled 62 per cent possession and had twice as many shots as their opponents at the Vitality Stadium, hit the woodwork themselves through Erik Lamela but failed to score for the first time in the league this season.

Image: Hugo Lloris makes a great save from Charlie Daniels in the first half

A fiery encounter saw referee Craig Pawson award six yellow cards, with Lamela avoiding a second booking shortly before half-time for a late tackle on Dan Gosling and Moussa Sissoko accused of elbowing Harry Arter in the second half.

The draw continues Tottenham's unbeaten start to the season and they remain third in the table.

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Meanwhile, Bournemouth move into the top half with teams around them still to play and will be buoyed by the fact Jack Wilshere completed 90 minutes for the first time in two years.

Jack Wilshere completed 90 minutes of Premier League football for the first time in two years

Eddie Howe's side, without the in-form Junior Stanislas due to a calf injury, suffered another blow in the warm-up when Andrew Surman was taken ill and replaced in the starting line-up by Gosling.

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And only the brilliance of Lloris prevented the hosts from taking an early lead when the Spurs 'keeper, who produced a remarkable stop from Javier Hernandez in the Champions League on Tuesday, came to Tottenham's rescue again with a fine reflex save to deny Daniels' effort via the crossbar.

Image: Eddie Howe and Mauricio Pochettino greet each other before the game

Spurs, starting with Heung-Min Son up front in place of Vincent Janssen, were next to hit the woodwork as Lamela's right-footed strike from distance clipped the junction between post and bar.

But the Argentina international, one of four Spurs players to collect a booking in a feisty first-half, was fortunate to stay on the pitch before the break when he escaped without a second yellow card for a lunge on Gosling.

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe claims he was happier with the performance in the 0-0 against Tottenham than the 6-1 last week against Hull

Spurs enjoyed the better of the play after the interval as Dele Alli tested Artur Boruc and Lamela blasted over from close range.

Mauricio Pochettino introduced Janssen as the visitors went in search of the winner, but Bournemouth - who were restricted to one shot on target - frustrated their opponents.

Image: Erik Lamela was yellow carded in the first half and also hit the bar

Arter was at the centre of Bournemouth's good work and the Cherries midfielder was involved in the final flashpoint of the game when Spurs substitute Sissoko appeared to catch him with an elbow late on.

After consulting his assistant, referee Pawson declined to take further action and in the end Bournemouth finished the game on top.

Image: Dele Alli and Dan Gosling compete for the ball

Jack Wilshere had a penalty appeal waved away following a firm challenge by Victor Wanyama, while replacement Benik Afobe headed over in stoppage time.

Alan McInally gives his thoughts on the 0-0 draw between Bournemouth and Tottenham

Player ratings

Bournemouth: Boruc (7), Smith (7), Francis (8), Cook (8), Daniels (8), Ibe (6), Arter (8), Gosling (7), Wilshere (6), King (6), Wilson (6)

Subs used: Fraser (6), Afobe (6), Gradel (5)

Tottenham: Lloris (7), Walker (7), Dier (7), Vertonghen (7), Rose (7), Wanyama (8), Dembele (7), Lamela (7), Eriksen (6), Dele (6), Son (5)

Subs used: Sissoko (6), Janssen (6)

Man of the match: Harry Arter 

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