Spurs suffer sixth Premier League loss of the season with defeat at Bournemouth: Five things we learned

Tottenham were handed a sixth Premier League defeat of the season by Bournemouth as Dean Huijsen’s first-half header piled more pressure onto Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou.

Here’s five things talking points from the game…

Spurs are badly missing Romero and Van de Ven

Tottenham were not that bad going forward, but there were issues were at the back, where they struggled to deal the pace and directness of the home side, who created plenty of good chances of their own with their quick and incisive counter-attacks. Spurs are without their starting central defensive pair of Cristian Romero and Micky Van de Ven, not only two very good Premier League centre-backs but two of the quicker ones in the league too, which is crucial for the attacking style of Postecoglou.

Ben Davies was left walking a tightrope after his early yellow card for bringing down Evanilson and was taken off in the second half and while Dragusin did okay, it is clear he is not the level of his two missing team-mates and does not possess their physical traits either.

Huijsen’s huge performance

With usual starting centre-half Marcos Senesi not in the squad, Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola gave a starting opportunity to youngster Huijsen and was repaid for his faith in the defender when he headed his side in front from a corner on 17 minutes. It was not just his goal that was crucial for his side though, making some big tackles, blocks and interceptions to prevent Spurs from equalising. Only 19-years-old, he is certainly one to watch for the future based on this display.

Dangerous Evanilson crucial again

Bournemouth forward Evanilson may have only scored a modest four goals in 14 Premier League games this season but while his finishing can certainly improve, he offers Iraola’s side so much more than just goals. He was brilliant in Bournemouth’s 4-2 win over Wolves in their last outing, winning three penalties in the victory and caused the Spurs back-line so many problems with his physicality, aggressiveness and runs in behind. Replacing Dominic Solanke, who lined up against them for Spurs, was a big challenge but they have managed to do so with the signing of Evanilson.

Stretched Tottenham squad tire at crucial stage

Spurs made a strong start to the second-half and had a period of about 15 minutes or so where they dominated and should probably have found an equaliser. But for the last 20 minutes of the game, they were cut open time and time again by Bournemouth who should really have had at least two more goals, being generous to Spurs. Van de Ven and Romero were not the only two players missing, with Wilson Odobert, Richarlison, Mikey Moore, and first-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario all out injured, and Rodrigo Bentancur still serving his suspension.

At a time when Spurs needed to put Bournemouth under plenty of pressure in search of an equaliser, they looked like they lacked the legs to do so despite Postecoglou freshening the team up with changes and it was Bournemouth who looked much the sharper and more dangerous team in the latter stages, despite some injuries of their own.

Son is struggling

To the surprise of many, Heung-Min Son, who has so often been Tottenham’s talisman since Harry Kane departed for Bayern Munich, was left out of the starting line-up, with Brennan Johnson and Dejan Kulusevski instead preferred in the wide positions. Son has struggled to get any momentum going this season with his campaign being disrupted by injuries and it is clear his fitness is having to be managed. He was brought on just before the hour mark with the hope of turning things in his side’s favour but rarely threatened the opposition.