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Bournemouth leapfrogged an increasingly out-of-sorts Tottenham in the Premier League after Dean Huijsen's header secured a deserved 1-0 victory at the Vitality Stadium.
Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou was confronted by angry supporters at the final whistle, later revealing he received "pretty direct feedback" following a seventh loss in 11 Premier League away games.
At 19 years and 235 days, Huijsen became the Cherries' youngest-ever Premier League goalscorer when he met Marcus Tavernier's corner after 17 minutes.
Ryan Christie struck the frame of the goal while Evanilson had his effort chalked off for offside by VAR in what could so easily have been a heavier defeat for Spurs, who slip to 10th in the standings following a sixth loss of the campaign.
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The results means it is one win in six games for Postecoglou, less than a fortnight since he witnessed his side's 4-0 victory at champions Manchester City.
Spurs have now lost nine of their last 13 away games in the Premier League but such inconsistency is not something Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola needs to concern himself with at present, with his side rising to ninth on 21 points.
Bournemouth earn another home scalp
Iraola told Amazon Prime: "We didn't kill the game in the second half when we were having the clear chances and luckily for us we could finish the job but it was a moment during the game where you say if we don't kill them they are going to punish us.
"I don't trust too much in this momentum thing or confidence. I think the league is so tight, the details are so small from a win to a loss, so we have to reset. Now we have a difficult game, Ipswich away with just two days of recovery and we have to not think in the standings, the points - just compete in every game.
"The end of the season is too far away still to be setting a points target."
Iraola's side had upset title hopefuls Arsenal and Manchester City in two of their previous three fixtures on home soil. Spain U21 international Huijsen secured a further scalp for the south coast as Spurs suffered another setback in a patchy season so far.
This was a deserved success which should have been more comfortable. Christie struck the woodwork and the impressive hosts failed to capitalise on a host of chances, while toothless Tottenham created little going forward.
Spurs hammered champions Manchester City 4-0 in their previous away fixture but that was their only win in five games in all competitions ahead of the trip to Dorset.
The north London club started in the ascendancy and, after the recalled Dejan Kulusevski shot straight at Cherries goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, Dominic Solanke fired wastefully over, having been released by stand-in skipper James Maddison.
Ange: I got some pretty direct feedback
While Tottenham continued to dominate possession, the Cherries remained the greater threat after breaking the deadlock.
Tavernier had the ball in the net 14 minutes after the opener but was clearly offside, before later seeing a close-range header from Milos Kerkez's cross clawed away by Fraser Forster.
Despite Tottenham's shortcomings, Postecoglou opted against changes at the break - but apart from a Heung-Min Son disallowed strike for offside, Spurs produced an even more insipid second-half display.
"We weren't good enough," said Postecoglou. "We conceded a really poor goal and we lost our way a little bit and allowed Bournemouth to play the game they wanted to. We had our moments in the second half but we weren't able to get a goal.
"We just have this sort of propensity to shoot ourselves in the foot when really we should be taking control of games.
"We know they're hard to beat here and what you don't want to do is give them a goal that gives them that sort of momentum they need."
On approaching fans at the final whistle, Postecoglou added: "I wasn't having a word... they're pretty disappointed - rightly so - and I've got some pretty direct feedback as to how we're going.
"I've got no issue with it [fan reaction]. I didn't like what was being said because I'm a human being but you've got to cop it.
"I've been around long enough to know that if things don't go well, you've got to understand the frustration and disappointment. They're disappointed tonight because again we've let a game of football get away from us. That's OK, I'm OK with all of that."
Huijsen: My first goal gave me goosebumps
Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen told Amazon Prime:
"We know we make it hard for teams coming here.
"It's a really exciting win. Every little boy dreams of playing in the Premier League. I'm just so happy to get my first goal. It's definitely a special memory. The goal is all due to our trainer. We scored a few set-piece goals because of him.
"How do you say it in English? I see, goosebumps. It was a goosebumps moment, definitely.
"We all worked really hard to get this win. We also know Tottenham's a very physical team. And I think it was a great match-up and a great match to watch for anyone watching at home or in the stadium. First of all, we need to avoid relegation.
"But I think we have a little bit more in us. So maybe, who knows, maybe we can get a Conference League place or something if we keep pushing like this."
Opta stats - Fortress Vitality
Bournemouth have won four of their last five Premier League games at the Vitality Stadium (L1), as many as in their previous 12 such games in the competition (D4 L4).
Tottenham have lost seven of their last 11 Premier League away games (W3 D1), while they haven't won on the road when conceding first in the competition since a 5-2 win at Burnley in September 2023 (D2 L8 since).
Bournemouth have won successive Premier League games for the first time since April, while both their clean sheets in the league this campaign have come in home wins, also beating Arsenal 2-0 in October.
Only Arsenal (8) and Aston Villa (7) have scored more Premier League goals assisted via crosses this season than Bournemouth (6), while only Wolverhampton Wanderers (7) and Everton (6) have conceded more such goals in the competition this term than Tottenham (5).
Story of the match in stats...
What's coming up in the Premier League?
Chelsea fought back from two goals down to win 4-3 at London rivals Tottenham to close the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool to four points.
Spurs, who have blown a two-goal lead for the second time this season after losing 3-2 at Brighton in October, were 2-0 up after just 11 minutes through Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski as Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella was forced into a change of boots after slipping for both goals.
Jadon Sancho then got the visitors back into the game in the 17th minute as he produced a wonderful curling low finish off the post from outside the box.
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Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo escaped a first-half red card for an over-the-ball tackle on Pape Matar Sarr despite a VAR review - a decision which Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher described as "unbelievable".
Caicedo then won a second-half penalty as he drew a rash challenge from Yves Bissouma that allowed Palmer to equalise from the spot in the 61st minute.
Chelsea always looked likeliest to win the game and Enzo Fernandez completed the turnaround in the 73rd minute with a powerful near-post volley.
Spurs' defensive frailties were on display again as Sarr gave away another poor penalty that allowed Palmer to produce a cool Panenka in the 84th minute to extend their lead.
Heung-Min Son pulled a stoppage-time goal back but it was too little too late as Chelsea held on for a fourth straight league win to move second behind Liverpool, who have a game in hand after the Reds' match against Everton was postponed on Saturday.
Spurs, meanwhile, are heading in the opposite direction with back-to-back league defeats leaving them 11th, seven points off the top four and boss Ange Postecoglou under even more pressure.
Merse and Carra: Chelsea are in the title race
Sky Sports' Paul Merson:
"It's a massive result. This is Chelsea's biggest game of the season - go to Tottenham and win, four points behind Liverpool.
"They're in the title race and are Liverpool's biggest threat. They haven't got European football - they've got another team for that."
Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher:
"This Chelsea team is no underdog story. This is a team that has spent £1.2bn but what they're doing this season is something totally unexpected.
"This club are right in the mix for a title challenge."
Story of the match in stats
What's coming up in the Premier League?
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If last season's clash between Spurs and Chelsea at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is anything to go by then we are set for an early Christmas cracker between these two London rivals, live on Sky Sports.
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A chaotic 4-1 win for the Blues, which saw Spurs reduced to nine players, became a Premier League classic but Tottenham will be looking for revenge this afternoon as that defeat ended Ange Postecoglou's honeymoon period.
Over a year on the mood is a lot different around 11th-placed Spurs after Postecoglou confronted abusive fans following the midweek loss at Bournemouth and the Australian will be desperate for a response to avoid damaging back-to-back defeats.
Chelsea, on the other hand, are in a much healthier place. Enzo Maresca's side sit second and can move four points behind leaders Liverpool with a victory over their rivals.
The west Londoners are aiming for a third straight league win which would fully propel them into the title race, with a favourable set of fixtures to follow.
You can watch the action unfold on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League from 4pm; kick-off at 4.30pm. Stay with us here for all of the build-up and team news, followed by live updates and in-game clips.
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has defended the club’s summer transfer policy and insisted the decision to sign a number of teenagers will eventually bear fruit.
Spurs are in the middle of a difficult period after they suffered a 1-0 defeat at Bournemouth on Thursday night and also lost Ben Davies to a hamstring injury, which made it eight players unavailable.
Barely a fortnight on from a remarkable 4-0 victory at Manchester City, Postecoglou received abuse from a section of Tottenham’s travelling support on the south coast and his task does not get any easier, with London rivals Chelsea set to visit on Sunday.
Chelsea are already eight points clear of Spurs, who signed Dominic Solanke for £65million in the summer, but spent the rest of their budget on teenage prospects in Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall and Wilson Odobert. Yang Min-hyuk, an 18-year-old from South Korea, will also join in January.
While Postecoglou has watched his depleted team lose three of their last six matches in all competitions and drop to 10th in the Premier League, he is positive the club’s long-term approach will pay off.
“We needed to do that because it was a team that was coming towards the end of its cycle, and we were rebuilding not just the squad but the playing style, and you couldn’t replace experience with experience because that is not a rebuild,” Postecoglou said.
“It is still the right decision and I own them (transfers) because I believe they are the right decisions for this club. I have said numerous times, I make these decisions with the kind of background that I’m going to be here for a while to see this through.
“To be honest, if I was worried about my own existence, I would have fought tooth and nail to block Harry Kane leaving (for Bayern Munich) but it wasn’t the right decision for the club because he was in the last year of his contract. That is not what drives me.
“The decisions we made around signing young players are the right decisions for this club for where we are at right now, and they will bear fruit.”
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca:
"I think it's nothing new. Overall, Noni [Madueke] is working well but sometimes he drops a little bit and he's not allowed to drop.
"In terms of numbers, goals and assists, he is doing fantastic. Off the ball, when we want him to press he is doing very well.
"The only reason I said that [can do better] the other day is because I want the best for Noni.
"The only way to get the best from him is to push him every time.
"The moment he relaxes a little bit, he is wrong."
A defiant Ange Postecoglou says he is "not hurting" and is not interested in whether fans back him after the Tottenham boss suffered abuse from supporters in Thursday's defeat at Bournemouth.
Postecoglou confronted a section of angry away fans at full-time after Spurs lost 1-0 at the Vitality Stadium, which leaves Tottenham with just one win from their last six games in all competitions.
The Australian said the fans' insults and frustrations have made him "just as determined" to turn things around, as his side prepare to host London rivals Chelsea on Sunday, live on Sky Sports.
Bournemouth 1-0 Tottenham - Match report and highlights
Postecoglou cops 'direct feedback' in Spurs fan confrontation
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He said on Friday of the abuse: "I'm the person in charge. I'm the person that has set us off in this direction and I am the person who needs to fix it.
"I'm not hurting, I am determined and that's all. I don't want to say it is unacceptable because it is what it is. I have lived in this world for long enough to know that when people aren't happy, they'll express their opinions and I am never going to hide.
"I am never going to shirk that responsibility, that's fine. I will take it on board. Is it nice? No, because like I said last night I am not just a manager, I am a human being like everyone else and none of us like to hear those sorts of things, but it is what it is.
"It doesn't disappoint me, it doesn't frustrate me, it doesn't make me angry. I am just as determined as ever to get it right, not because of that but because of my resolve to bring success to the football club."
Asked for a message to the fans, he replied: "No messages. I'm here, I'm going to fight to make sure we bring success to this football club. Nothing really changes.
"Where there's doubt, whether that's internally or externally, it just makes my resolve even stronger to make sure we get it right."
The 59-year-old also insisted he is not interested in whether fans back him or not.
"They aren't behind me, they are behind the club. I have got no interest in who is behind me," he said.
"Last night you have to figure the fans who travel to Bournemouth are fairly hardcore supporters. They weren't happy with what they saw and they felt like they needed to give some feedback. I took the feedback onboard and we move on."
Postecoglou also played down the need for support from the club board or supporters during a tough period of form.
"I don't need support. I don't worry about contracts or support, I just want to make sure that what I set out to do I accomplish and that is bring success to this football club," he said.
"I'll work my backside off to make sure that happens. I'm not going to be deterred in my ambitions or endeavour to do that, and that's what I'll keep doing."
Postecoglou defends 'right decision' to sign youngsters
Postecoglou has defended the club's summer transfer policy and insisted the decision to sign a number of teenagers will eventually bear fruit.
Spurs are in the middle of a difficult period with eight players now unavailable after losing Ben Davies to a hamstring injury in the loss at Bournemouth.
Sunday's opponents Chelsea are already eight points clear of Spurs, who signed Dominic Solanke for £65m in the summer, but spent the rest of their budget on teenage prospects in Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall and Wilson Odobert. Min-Hyuk Yang, an 18-year-old from South Korea, will also join in January.
While Postecoglou has watched his depleted team lose three of their last six matches in all competitions and drop to 10th in the Premier League, he is positive the club's long-term approach will pay off.
"We needed to do that because it was a team that was coming towards the end of its cycle, and we were rebuilding not just the squad but the playing style, and you couldn't replace experience with experience because that is not a rebuild," Postecoglou said.
"It is still the right decision and I own them [transfers] because I believe they are the right decisions for this club. I have said numerous times, I make these decisions with the kind of background that I'm going to be here for a while to see this through.
"To be honest, if I was worried about my own existence, I would have fought tooth and nail to block Harry Kane leaving [for Bayern Munich] but it wasn't the right decision for the club because he was in the last year of his contract. That is not what drives me.
"The decisions we made around signing young players are the right decisions for this club for where we are at right now, and they will bear fruit."
Spurs' next six games
Sunday: Chelsea (h) - live on Sky Sports
Thursday: Rangers (a) - Europa League
December 15: Southampton (a)
December 19: Manchester United (h) - live on Sky Sports, Carabao Cup quarter-final
December 22: Liverpool (h) - live on Sky Sports
Boxing Day: Nottingham Forest (a)
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