Tottenham Beat Bournemouth

Christian Eriksen scored the only goal as Tottenham edged past Bournemouth to secure their first Premier League win at Wembley.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side were far from their best against a resolute Bournemouth side, but they did just enough to secure the points and keep in touch with the two Manchester teams at the top of the table.

Bournemouth will reflect on a solid display although the will be left to rue yet another league defeat on the road.

Eddie Howe’s side set their stall out to frustrate Tottenham and as a result there were precious few chances in the opening stages.

Tottenham had the first opportunity of the game when Eriksen’s cross shot was flicked well over by Dele Alli when Davinson Sanchez was perhaps better placed.

Bournemouth were defending resolutely and began to grow in confidence as the half wore on.

On 29 minutes, Junior Stanislas found himself in space on the edge of the area, but his goalbound shot was blocked by the shoulder of Sanchez. Moments later, Eric Dier flicked a Bournemouth corner towards his own goal, but Hugo Lloris showed superb reactions to claw the ball away.

The in-form Harry Kane had done little at this stage but was presented with an opportunity when he collected Eriksen’s long pass and squeezed in a shot that was pushed behind by Asmir Begovic.

Bournemouth deservedly went into the break on level terms, but they held on for just two minutes after the restart.

Eriksen collected Son Hueng-Min’s pass and skipped through a couple of challenges on the edge of the box before calmly placing the ball into the bottom corner for his third goal of the season.

With Bournemouth forced to be more adventurous in search of an equaliser, Tottenham began to create chances at the other end.

Kane saw a header correctly ruled out for offside before being denied twice in a matter of seconds by the increasingly overworked Begovic.

Bournemouth responded by bring on Jordon Ibe and former Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe, and the duo nearly combined for the equaliser within minutes.

Ibe played a low ball into the area and Defoe’s snapshot on the turn was forced behind by Lloris’ outstretched foot.

At the other end, some more neat football by Tottenham set up a chance for Eriksen, but his fizzing shot was parried away by Begovic.

Dier had a chance to put the game beyond doubt in the closing stages, but his shot was superbly blocked by Steve Cook.