Match Report: Tottenham 2-2 Bournemouth: Late fightback saves Ange Postecoglou

Tottenham Hotspur fought back from a two-goal deficit at home against Bournemouth, with Pape Matar Sarr and Heung-Min Son rescuing a point for Ange Postecoglou.

One team is enjoying their best-ever Premier League season, while the other is battling to avoid making this their worst in recent history. It was pretty clear what to expect from both sides. Yet, despite an abysmal start, Spurs managed to show up just in time. Given how things were going, most fans will take the point.

At this stage, it’s obvious – Tottenham’s entire season hinges on their Europa League campaign. That likely explains Ange Postecoglou’s decision to make six changes from the side that started in the Netherlands on Thursday. Cristian Romero returned to the starting XI for the first time in 2025, wearing the captain’s armband in Son’s absence. Wilson Odobert took Son’s spot, while Mathys Tel was benched, allowing Dominic Solanke to face his former club after shaking off a knock.

James Maddison, Destiny Udogie, Lucas Bergvall, and Archie Gray were all rested. Yves Bissouma, Pedro Porro, and Pape Matar Sarr returned to the starting lineup.

Last time Ange fielded a midfield trio of Bissouma, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Sarr? A 4-0 hammering at Anfield. And for a while, it looked like we were in for another horror show. Thankfully, the subs arrived in time. Let’s get into the match report.

First half: Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 Bournemouth

It was an absolute disasterclass from Spurs in the opening few minutes. Romero, returning after a long layoff, looked miles off the pace. Just 17 seconds in, he gifted possession to Evanilson at the edge of the box, forcing Guglielmo Vicario into an early save. A few minutes later, Romero’s heavy pass to Bissouma led to another Bournemouth chance, this time denied by Vicario’s outstretched leg.

Spurs dominated possession but struggled to break through the Cherries’ well-organised defence. Odobert tried to inject some energy down the left, but there was no end product.

The home side started to settle in, and the game got a bit more balanced. Both sides were eager to move ahead on counters by intercepting and then eventually losing possession, and the other team doing the same thing after. It was pretty much a cycle, but it worked out for Bournemouth first.

The visitors struck three minutes before the break. A wayward pass from Porro intended for Johnson in midfield, allowed Milos Kerkez to intercept and immediately drive forward down the left. His inch-perfect cross into the box found Marcus Tavernier, who arrived at the far post to slide in a first-time volley past Vicario. A textbook Bournemouth counter.

The half-time whistle then blew, and boos rang around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Spurs had seen more of the ball but had managed just 0.49 xG, while Bournemouth’s lethal counter-attacks generated 1.67 xG (FotMob). If Tottenham wanted to avoid a third straight defeat, something had to change.

Second half: Tottenham Hotspur 2-2 Bournemouth

Postecoglou brought on Son and Bergvall for the ineffective Johnson and the confidence-drained Bissouma. Spurs instantly looked sharper, and a swift move down the right involving Odobert and Solanke nearly led to an equaliser, only for Bournemouth to break up the other end and score, albeit with Antoine Semenyo offside.

Ten minutes into the half, Son nearly produced his trademark cut inside and finish, but his deflected effort drifted agonisingly wide.

Despite Spurs’ improvement, Bournemouth struck again in the 65th minute. Kluivert’s smart movement pulled Kevin Danso out of position, allowing him to slip Evanilson through on goal. The Brazilian finished against Vicario to double the lead.

0-2 and it felt like game over. The home fans certainly thought so. The players did not.

Immediately after conceding, Bergvall attempted from 30 yards out on target, but his strike rattled the post.

And then came a moment of pure magic – or sheer luck, depending on how you see it. Sarr picked up the ball near the halfway, spotted Kepa off his line and went for it. His long-range stunner looped over the keeper, hit the bar, and bounced in. Out of nowhere, 2-1.

Kluivert was the one who then struck the woodwork after Spence and Van de Ven left each other to mark him – neither ended up doing so.

With eight minutes left, Tottenham got a lifeline. Son combined well with Maddison and Spence before Kepa dived into him inside the box- a clear penalty. He stepped up and calmly slotted it down the middle. 2-2.

The final whistle blew. A comeback secured, but hardly a reason to celebrate.

Takeaways

Spurs desperately need a proper number six. Bentancur was poor, but to be fair, he played the full 90 against AZ Alkmaar just three days ago. Bissouma, on the other hand, had a nightmare of a first half, completely missing his chance to prove himself. Fans will be hoping Archie Gray finally gets the nod in the Europa League in his natural position, as Ange’s system simply cannot function without a disciplined deep-lying midfielder.

The midfield changes saved the day (or Ange Postecoglou’s job?) Had Ange stuck with Bentancur, Sarr, and Bissouma, this could have ended badly. Sarr’s wonder goal gave the team their breakthrough and he did well to complement Maddison and Bergvall who came on later. Their introductions brought much-needed composure and creativity. The Swedish teenager now has four goal involvements since joining and is only strengthening his place in the starting XI each day. Against Alkmaar, fans will hope to see Maddison, Gray, and Bergvall from the start. Although Sarr was far from having a bad game, he could come on later if Spurs are in control.

Spence is better on the left. There was only one positive in the first half: Djed Spence. It’s obvious now that he’s looking far more comfortable on the left than on the right. Porro looked good on the right and did well to keep Semenyo silent despite playing a part in Bournemouth’s opener. But he also created three chances, completed five recoveries, won 100% of his attempted tackles (2/2) and was never dispossessed. Barring that goal, it was a strong performance from the Spaniard; we’re likely to see the same full-backs on Friday. The real question is, which centre-back duo will Ange use on Thursday?

What’s next for Spurs?

This result further dents Spurs’ already slim hopes of European football next season. Realistically, they now need to win at least nine of their final ten league matches to stand their slightest bit of chance.

That makes their Europa League campaign even more critical. Next up, AZ Alkmaar in the second leg at home, where Spurs have a mountain to climb (0-1 deficit).

It’s all or nothing now. COYS.

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