Tottenham missed the chance to go top of the Premier League after hanging on for a 0-0 draw against Bournemouth at Dean Court.
Spurs were lucky to end the game with eleven men, with Erik Lamela and Moussa Sissoko both somewhat fortunate to stay on the pitch, but Mauricio Pochettino will ultimately be heading back to London feeling frustrated.
Bournemouth adopted a very different approach to that of West Brom last week, going toe-to-toe with Pochettino’s side.
Yet, the Spurs boss will still be left to rue a number of his decisions, particularly if he watches title rivals Arsenal and Manchester City pick up three points later this afternoon.
Here’s five things we learned.
5 – Eric Dier is a competent back-up for Toby Alderweireld, but his natural place is definitely in midfield, not at centre-back. The England man gave the ball away a few too many times at the end.
4 – Pochettino needs to curb his players’ aggression. This wasn’t quite in the Battle of Stamford Bridge league of last season, but against a bottom-half side, Spurs shouldn’t be drawn into as many squabbles as they were. Lamela in particular looked riled.
3 – Jack Wilshere isn’t a game-changer. All eyes were on the former Gunner as he pulled off 90 minutes against his old foes – the first time he’s completed a Premier League game in nearly two years. The midfielder didn’t fare badly, but he didn’t create anything that significant either.
2 – Dele Alli loves a nutmeg – obviously, this is not news. In fact, the number 20 managed a double-nutmeg in this game, but his attacks were also easily broken down by the Cherries’ back-line. The starlet needs to be more clinical.
1 – Heung-Min Son needs to stay on for as long as Harry Kane is injured. Pochettino might have one eye on upcoming games, but Vincent Janssen isn’t scoring goals. Until he does, Son is always going to be their best hope of breaking the deadlock.
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