LONDON: Bournemouth teenager Dean Huijsen’s first Premier League goal secured his side a deserved 1-0 home victory over a lacklustre Tottenham Hotspur to send the south-coast club into the top half of the table on Thursday.

The 19-year-old defender was left completely unmarked to head in Marcus Tave­rnier’s corner in the 17th minute and that proved enough to send Bournemouth above a chronically inconsistent Tottenham team.

A lively Bournemouth side had a goal by Evanilson ruled out in the second half for offside and were guilty of wasting several other chances to finish off the labouring visitors.

Tottenham offered precious little as an attacking force and a sixth defeat of the season left them in 10th place in the table with 20 points. Bournemouth rose to ninth with 21.

When Tottenham thrashed champions Manchester City 4-0 less than a fortnight ago it seemed Ange Postecoglou’s side might use that result as a springboard for the season.

They have flattered to deceive since, however, drawing at home to AS Roma in the Europa League and being held to a draw by Fulham at the weekend.

Thursday’s display looked like another step backwards as they were outplayed by a home side who had 21 goal attempts.

“Yeah, it’s not good enough,” Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou, who was seen in discussion with disgruntled visiting fans after the final whistle, told Sky Sports.

“We fell into the trap of starting the game really well then conceded a really poor goal, and then we kind of lose our way a little bit and allowed Bournemouth to play the game they wanted. We just have this sort of propensity to shoot ourselves in the foot.”

Bournemouth would have kicked themselves had they not taken the three points but in the end Dutch-born Spanish Under-21 player Huijsen’s effort was sufficient.

Andoni Iraola’s side have now beaten Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham at home this season.

Things could have been different for Tottenham had former Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke been able to score when through on goal early on instead of lofting his shot over.

Shortly afterwards, Tottenham’s vulnerability against set pieces struck again as Tavernier swung over a corner and Huijsen was allowed a free run to head past Fraser Forster.

Tavernier was denied by Forster with a close-range header while Ryan Christie struck the post after the break for the hosts. Tottenham substitute Pedro Porro came closest to an equaliser when his half-volley forced a sharp save from Bourn­emouth goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

IWOBI DOUBLE LIFTS FULHAM

In Thursday’s other game, Alex Iwobi scored twice as Fulham took advantage of a howler from Brighton & Hove Albion keeper Bart Verbruggen to beat the Seagulls 3-1 at Craven Cottage.

Marco Silva’s men were gifted the lead in the fourth minute when Verbruggen, under minimal pressure, tried to pass to Carlos Baleba on the edge of the area. His wayward ball was intercepted by Iwobi who gratefully tucked the ball into an empty net.

Brighton levelled in the 56th minute when Joao Pedro cushioned as pass to Baleba and the highly-rated young midfielder fired past Bernd Leno from 25 yards.

But Fulham went ahead again with 11 minutes remaining when Andreas Pereira swung in a corner that skimmed off Calvin Bassey and went in off the back of Brighton’s Matt O’Riley for an own goal.

Iwobi sealed the points with three minutes left, spinning away from two Brighton defenders before curling past Verbruggen into the far corner.

Fulham move up to sixth place, one point behind fifth-placed Brighton, after their third win in their last five league games.

“It was a big three points for us in a tough game,” Fulham manager Marco Silva said. “We started in the best way possible with the early goal but Brighton made it really difficult for us in the first half.

“Second half we were much better. We conceded in a moment we should prepare better for the long ball. It was a good shot from the edge of the box. Difficult game but a big three points for us.”

Published in Dawn, December 7th, 2024