Match Summary: Bournemouth (H) | OneFootball

It was back to Sunday afternoon action for Spurs after their Europa League campaign restarted again on Thursday with a 1-0 defeat to Dutch side AZ Alkmaar. Manager Ange Postecoglou would make six changes from the team that were beaten in the Netherlands. The full lineup was as followed: Vicario, Porro, Romero (c), Danso, Spence, Bentancur, Bissouma, Sarr, Johnson, Solanke, Odobert.

It should have been the perfect start for Bournemouth within just the forth minute. Dutchman Justin Kluivert really should have put his chance, a low right footed shot next to the penalty spot but was comfortably saved by Italian shot stopper Guglielmo Vicario.

After that the first half didn't have too much to report on apart from the odd half a chance for either side. That was until the forty first minute if the game when Hungarian left back Milos Kerkez had the freedom down the whole of the Spurs right hand side where he had all the time in the world to whip in a delightful cross to the back post where Marcus Tavernier was there to stretch a right leg out and managed to get enough on it to squirm under Vicario.

A goal down at the break and the whistle was greeted by a loud boo from the Tottenham Hotspur faithful after another lacklustre performance, giving Postecoglou a lot to think about in the dressing room.

As expected the Australian would make a couple of subs. Brennan Johnson and Yves Bissoums would be replaced by skipper Heung-Min Son and Swedish midfielder Lucas Bergvall.

Early in the second half and the Cherries thought they made it 0-2. Kluivert finished off a superb counter attacking move set up by Evanilson, however their was an offside in the build up and Spurs were let off the hook.

Shortly after Spurs should have found the equaliser when Son shifted inside with his trade mark move and curled an effort off the post. Ange would then make a couple of more subs, James Maddison and the returning Micky van de Ven came on for Rodrigo Bentancur and Cristian Romero. The crowd were given a huge lift by the Dutch centre half coming back into the team, greeting him with a massive cheer and his chant.

That lift Spurs fans had didn't last long, as the Cherries finally made it 0-2 and deservedly so. Kluivert once again massively involved when he cleverly let the ball run across his body before sliding in Brazilian forward Evanilson, and he kept his cool to calmly chip it over Vicario. So poor yet again from Spurs.

They should have got back into the game just a minute later, substitute Bergvall hit the post from just outside the box, so unlucky and one that Spurs could have done with. However that goal would come with a huge slice of luck. Pape Matar Sarr would cross the ball from the right hand side just outside the box where he saw his effort go straight in off the post. The Senegalese midfielder looked very surprised it went in, suggesting he didn't mean it, but it was a lifeline for the Lilywhites nonetheless.

They should have got back into the game just a minute later, substitute Bergvall hit the post from just outside the box, so unlucky and one that Spurs could have done with. However that goal would come with a huge slice of luck. Pape Matar Sarr would cross the ball from the right hand side just outside the box where he saw his effort go straight in off the post. The Senegalese midfielder looked very surprised it went in, suggesting he didn't mean it, but it was a lifeline for the Lilywhites nonetheless.

With just under ten minutes left, Maddison would play a lovely ball through to his fellow substitute and captain, Son. The Korean would get to the ball first just before Bournemouth's on loan goalkeeper from Chelsea, Kepa Arrizabalaga and the Spaniard would bring down the Spurs winger. So poor from Kepa as he was going nowhere. Son himself would take the penalty and place it down the middle, levelling up the scores. Based on the game today Spurs haven't deserve that, but it will have gave them a bit of momentum.

Postecoglou would make one final change on 85 minutes, bringing on Destiny Udogie for Pedro Porro, and switching Djed Spence back to his normal position of the right hand side of the defence.

The full time whistle went and there would have been mixed feeling from everyone involved with Spurs, another really poor performance, however the Lilywhites showed some chararcter by getting themselves back into the game, albeit with a slice of luck. They'll be back at home again on Thursday for the return leg of the round of sixteen Europa League tie vs AZ Alkmaar.