Bournemouth v Tottenham: Postecoglou says City win cannot be ‘millstone’ for visitors

Ange Postecoglou says Tottenham's positive displays cannot be placed like a “millstone” around their neck as they look to return to victory at Bournemouth on Thursday.

Spurs made headlines by tearing apart Premier League champions Manchester City in a 4-0 away win on matchday 12, but were then held to a 1-1 draw by Fulham on matchday 13.

They have not achieved the same result in any of their last eight Premier League games. For seven consecutive matchdays before Sunday's draw, they alternated between victories and defeats.

With Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero and Guglielmo Vicario among the current absentees due to injuries, Postecoglou says pundits and fans cannot reasonably expect total consistency.

“I know people use City as a reference point, but I could go on [Brennan] Johnson and [Timo] Werner and I had Vicario in goal,” Postecoglou said.

“I know people are looking for easy targets, but what the players have to deal with is obvious. We have to protect our players.”

“We don't have many options, so we will manage them as best we can. We can't play in every game like we did against City.”

“At this club, everything we are good at is used as a millstone to bring us down at every opportunity. We cannot respond to that.

“I just feel like the players we have at the moment are working hard to get us where we want to be, and we're still in good shape and in a good position in the league.”

Bournemouth are just two points behind Spurs in the table after beating Wolves 4-2 at Molineux in a thriller last week, with Justin Kluivert becoming the first player in Premier League history to score a hat-trick of penalties.

All three penalties were won by recent arrival Evanilson, prompting coach Andoni Iraola to shower the Brazilian with praise.

“Evanilson made the difference. He fought with the centre-backs and the goalkeeper. He was phenomenal,” Iraola said.

“Evanilson didn't score but he is the reason we won. He has won five penalties this season and we have scored four.

“It is very difficult to score three penalties in one match. Justin is someone who gives us a lot, even without the ball. He is someone who understands that we need his work rate. He gives a lot to the team.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Bournemouth-Evanilson

Evanilson has committed more fouls than any other Bournemouth player in the Premier League this season (23). At Wolves he became the first player in Premier League history to win three penalties in one match.

Only Kluivert (five) has now scored more league goals for the Cherries than his four this season.

Tottenham-Brennan Johnson

Johnson was on target for Spurs against Fulham last time out and scored his tenth goal in all competitions this season.

Only Erling Haaland (17), Mohamed Salah (12) and Christopher Nkunku (11) scored more among all Premier League players.

MATCH PREDICTION – draw

Tottenham won 10 of their 14 Premier League games against Bournemouth (71%), drawing two and losing two. Of all the teams they have faced at least ten times in the competition, they only have a higher winning percentage against Swansea City (79%).

They played the double against the Cherries in 2023/24, winning 3-1 at home last December after winning 2-0 at the Vitality in August.

Spurs averaged 2.5 goals per game in the Premier League against Bournemouth (35 goals in 14 games), the highest rate against any team they have faced at least ten times in the competition.

However, they have won just twice in six away games in the top flight this season, drawing one and losing three.

Each of Tottenham's last five away wins in the Premier League has been nil, including a 4-0 win over City on their last trip. They have not won any of their last 14 when they have conceded on the road (five draws, nine defeats) since a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace in October 2023.

Bournemouth have recorded three wins in their last four at home, so expect it to be a stern test. A nice draw could be on the cards.

OPTA CHANCE OF WINNING

Bournemouth – 36.5%

Tottenham – 39.1%

Draw – 24.4%