Player Ratings as Spurs Salvage a Point in Thrilling 2-2 Draw with Bournemouth | OneFootball

Tottenham Hotspur Fight Back to Salvage a Draw Against Bournemouth

Spurs Show Resilience to Recover from Two-Goal Deficit

Tottenham Hotspur battled back from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth in an eventful Premier League contest. Despite a slow start and a near-capitulation, Ange Postecoglou’s side showed resolve to claw back a point at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Thursday’s Europa Conference League struggles in Alkmaar appeared to linger as Spurs laboured early on. The return of Cristian Romero to the starting XI was meant to bolster the backline, but Bournemouth’s aggressive press had the hosts on the back foot from the first whistle. Two sharp saves from Guglielmo Vicario were needed to prevent an early breakthrough for the visitors.

Gradually, Spurs found their rhythm, navigating the Cherries’ pressure to create openings. However, they lacked incisiveness in the final third, with Kepa Arrizabalaga largely untroubled, aside from a routine save to deny Dominic Solanke.

Milos Kerkez Sparkles as Bournemouth Take Control

Just as the first half seemed destined to end goalless, Bournemouth struck with a moment of real quality. Pedro Porro’s under-hit pass was intercepted by Milos Kerkez, who surged forward before delivering a pinpoint cross to Marcus Tavernier. The midfielder met it at the back post, firing through Vicario to give the visitors a deserved lead.

Bournemouth thought they had doubled their advantage early in the second half, only for VAR to intervene and rule out their second for offside. Spurs should have equalised soon after through Pape Sarr, but the midfielder spurned his opportunity. The miss proved costly when Evanilson latched onto a well-worked move to lift the ball over Vicario and put the Cherries 2-0 ahead.

Silence fell over the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with frustration creeping in. But a touch of fortune ignited hope as Sarr’s cross-turned-shot looped over Kepa and nestled into the far corner, halving the deficit.

Late Drama as Spurs Snatch a Point

Rather than buckle under the pressure, Bournemouth retained their composure, continuing to press high and disrupt Spurs’ build-up play. A third goal for the visitors seemed inevitable until Postecoglou’s side finally clicked in transition. A swift move saw Son Heung-min released down the left, drawing Kepa into a reckless challenge inside the area. The South Korean picked himself up and confidently converted from the spot with ten minutes left to play.

Photo: IMAGO

Both sides pushed for a winner, but neither could carve out a decisive moment. The draw sees Tottenham cling to their European ambitions while Bournemouth will feel they let a valuable three points slip away.

Player Ratings

Tottenham Hotspur

Bournemouth