Tottenham secured a 3-1 home victory against Bournemouth, with Son Heung-min scoring his 12th goal of the season. Despite the win, it was a challenging match against an in-form Bournemouth side led by Andoni Iraola.
Pape Sarr opened the scoring for Spurs in the ninth minute but had to leave the pitch with an injury, casting doubt on his Africa Cup of Nations participation. Tottenham had to wait until the 71st minute for Son to double their lead, with Richarlison adding a third goal before Alex Scott scored a late consolation for Bournemouth.
The victory, coupled with Arsenal’s loss, positioned Tottenham just a point behind their rivals heading into 2024. Spurs responded strongly after a recent defeat to Brighton, and the return of Rodrigo Bentancur provided a timely boost for manager Ange Postecoglou.
While attention was on Son, it was Sarr who scored the opener with a powerful shot. Bournemouth gained momentum after Sarr’s injury, forcing an early change for Spurs. The match featured several missed opportunities for both teams, with Richarlison and Solanke having chances.
The crucial second goal for Tottenham came in the 71st minute when Son found the net after a superb through ball from Lo Celso. Richarlison sealed the victory with a goal 10 minutes from time, securing Spurs’ fourth win in five Premier League matches.
Despite a late consolation goal from Bournemouth’s Scott, Tottenham ended the year on a high note, finishing fifth in the Premier League table, just one point behind Arsenal.