Tottenham Hotspur vs Bournemouth. Premier League.
White Hart LaneAttendance36,084.
Monday 21 March 2016 08:23, UK
Tottenham produced a consummate first-half performance to beat Bournemouth 3-0 at White Hart Lane and maintain their Premier League title push.
Harry Kane opened the scoring in the opening minute before adding a second 15 minutes later as Mauricio Pochettino's side simply outclassed Bournemouth in the first 45 minutes.
Spurs lacked the same intensity and verve after the break but were still able to add a third through Christian Eriksen in the 52nd minute before coasting through the remainder of the match.
The victory takes Tottenham back to within five points of Leicester at the top of the table ahead of the international break, with seven games to play.
Many fans had barely made it to their seats by the time Kane turned in Kyle Walker's cross to give Tottenham the lead inside the first minute. The full-back having collected Hugo Lloris' pass and driven forward before delivering a ball that required only the slightest touch from Kane to send it beyond Artur Boruc.
Spurs remained in total control and barely allowed Bournemouth a kick in the opening stages so it was little surprise when they added second in the 16th minute.
Kevin Wimmer's pass from the back dissected the visitors' midfield allowing Dele Alli the time and space to turn before sliding the ball through to Kane who made no mistake with a left-foot finish past Boruc.
Eriksen could have made it three soon after, latching on to Toby Alderweireld's pass over the top, but hit the bouncing ball high and wide.
It looked like being a procession as the half went on, Danny Rose shooting into the side netting and Alli having a goal chalked off for offside, but Bournemouth were at least able to create one chance late in the half - Steve Cook heading Max Gradel's free-kick just over the bar.
Eddie Howe made a double change at half-time, sending on Lewis Grabban and Eunan O'Kane, but despite a better opening to the half from his side, they conceded a third seven minutes after the restart - Eriksen tapping in the rebound after Boruc parried Kane's speculative effort back into a central position.
After that Spurs eased off and sat back, inviting Bournemouth on. However, the visitors failed to create any real chances of note with Alderweireld and Kevin Wimmer snuffing out any potential opportunities for the visitors as quickly as they appeared.
The one time Tottenham did look stretched, as Grabban burst down the right and into the box, a combination of Eric Dier and Alderweireld averted the danger.
The home side briefly threaten to come back to life in the final stages, Eriksen brilliantly spinning between two Bournemouth defenders before squaring to Alli who scuffed the shot wide and Kane fizzing a long range effort just off target, but another goal was not forthcoming.
It finished 3-0 and Tottenham can now look ahead with renewed confidence to a trip to Anfield after the international break.
Player ratings
Tottenham: Lloris (7), Walker (7), Alderweireld (8), Wimmer (7), Rose (7), Dier (7), Dembele (7), Lamela (7), Alli (8), Eriksen (8), Kane (9).
Subs: Carroll (7), Mason (7), Chadli (N/A).
Bournemouth: Boruc (5), Smith (5), Francis (6), Cook (5), Daniels (4), Ritchie (6), Arter (4), Surman (5), Gradel (5), King (6), Afobe (5).
Subs: O'Kane (6), Grabban (6), Pugh (5).
Man of the match: Harry Kane
