London Evening Standard

Both sides’ winless runs continue after south coast thriller

Worldie: Antoine Semenyo

Andrew Matthews/PA Wire

Ed Elliott

COMMENTS

Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Matt Verri

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Antoine Semenyo bid a potential farewell to Bournemouth in style by piling pressure on Tottenham boss Thomas Frank with a stunning late winner in a 3-2 success at the Vitality Stadium.

The Cherries' top scorer, who is on the verge of a £65million move to Manchester City, had largely been a peripheral figure before smashing home his 10th goal of the season in the fifth minute of added time.

Joao Palhinha's bicycle kick looked set to earn Spurs head coach Frank a reprieve after first-half goals from Cherries pair Evanilson and Junior Kroupi overturned Mathys Tel's early opener.

But the under-fire Danish manager is likely to face further scrutiny after Semenyo's dramatic intervention left his side with just two wins from 12 top-flight fixtures amid Tottenham's fanbase rapidly losing patience.

Bournemouth, who ended an 11-match winless run thanks to the late twist, remain 15th but moved a point and a place behind their opponents.

Tottenham's players wore black armbands on the south coast following the death of club great Martin Chivers at the age of 80, while travelling fans chanted his name during the game.

Read More

Tottenham player ratings: Kolo Muani fails chance as Vicario 'suspect'

Bournemouth vs Tottenham LIVE: Latest score and updates from Premier League

Burnley vs Man Utd LIVE: Latest score and updates from Premier League

Sponsored

Little masterpieces: The ING Discerning Eye exhibition returns

Frank, who made five changes after Sunday's 1-1 draw with Sunderland ended with jeers from disgruntled supporters, watched his side snatch a fifth-minute lead.

Xavi Simons - back in the team after a three-match ban - backheeled the ball down the Tottenham left before France Under-21 forward Tel cut inside James Hill to find the far corner with a low effort which deceived Cherries goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic.

Bournemouth levelled in the 22nd minute.

After Alex Jimenez brilliantly recycled the ball following a cleared corner, Marcus Tavernier delivered a delightful inswinging cross from the right for Evanilson to direct a glancing header into the left of the net.

Tottenham midfielder Lucas Bergvall fired narrowly over from distance before Bournemouth completed the turnaround in the 36th minute.

Tavernier again caused problems, whipping in an inviting, right-wing delivery which was missed by Semenyo, only for Marcos Senesi to knock the ball back across goal for Kroupi to find the top-left corner.

Frank opted against changes at half-time before Bergvall limped off early in the second period to be replaced by Wilson Odobert.

Richarlison, who came on for the ineffective Randal Kolo Muani in the 67th minute, almost made an instant impact when he nodded against the right post from close range after Cristian Romero headed Tel's corner back across goal.

Spurs then had a penalty award overturned on review as replays showed centre-back Micky van de Ven threw himself to the ground after bursting into Bournemouth's 18-yard box.

The away side's increasing pressure paid off 12 minutes from time.

Bournemouth failed to clear Pedro Porro's corner from the right and Palhinha launched himself into the air to spectacularly hook home.

Van de Ven forced a fine save out Petrovic with a close-range header as Spurs pushed for a winner.

But the away side were ultimately left empty-handed as Semenyo had the final say, lashing a swerving shot into the bottom-right corner from distance during nine minutes of added time.

The Ghana international was afforded a standing ovation when he was substituted moments later before being serenaded by home supporters after returning to the pitch following the full-time whistle.

MORE ABOUT

Who is Reform's Laila Cunningham, and what would London look like with her as mayor?

Who is Laila Cunningham, Reform UK's candidate for London mayor?

Dane desperately needs support from ‘apathetic’ fans

Time running out: Thomas Frank

Andrew Matthews/PA Wire

Sam Tabuteau

COMMENTS

Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Matt Verri

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Antoine Semenyo’s 95th-minute winner inflicted yet more misery on Thomas Frank, as Spurs fell to a 3-2 defeat away to Bournemouth.

Mathys Tel gave Spurs the lead early on, but Bournemouth hit back with goals from Evanilson and Junior Kroupi.

Joao Palhinha thought he had stolen a point for Spurs with an audacious overhead kick, but Semenmyo had the final say deep in stoppage time.

Here are three things Standard Sport learned from Spurs’ defeat at the Vitality Stadium...

Frank must win over ‘increasingly apathetic’ fans

It was on this ground a little over a year ago that Ange Postecoglu’s relationship with Tottenham’s supporters appeared to have reached breaking point.

Postecoglu confronted and pointed out a section of angry supporters in the away end at the Vitality Stadium in the aftermath of Spurs’ 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth.

It felt like the beginning of the end for the Australian’s relationship with the supporters.

It is not in Frank’s nature to be as confrontational, and while that is a commendable trait, it feels as if Spurs fans’ complaints are falling on deaf ears.

Morale is low in the Spurs squad and even lower among supporters

REUTERS

There was no fiery feedback from Frank on the full-time whistle as Spurs slumped to defeat, just a tentative walk over to the away end before retreating down the tunnel.

Read More

Bournemouth vs Tottenham LIVE: Latest score and updates from Premier League

Semenyo hits stunning winner as Bournemouth heap more misery on Spurs

Tottenham player ratings: Kolo Muani fails chance as Vicario 'suspect'

Sponsored

Is coffee the future of socialising? This stylish spot thinks so

Spurs supporters want something to cling on to, an identity, a personality, a connection.

These are all things Frank is struggling to provide amid the pressures of a job he has admitted he is not enjoying.

Frank has been adamant that he has the backing of the club’s board - there is an understanding between him and chief executive Vinai Venkatesham about the time it will take to build something sustainable at a club that has lurched from manager to manager in recent years.

However, without the buy-in of an increasingly apathetic fanbase, Frank is quickly going to run out of time in the race to restore a sense of pride and purpose at a club drifting long before he took the reins.

Xavi Simons goes missing

A lot has happened since Xavi Simons last pulled on a Tottenham shirt, and not a lot of it has been particularly entertaining.

The Dutchman looked to have changed that on his first start back after a three-game suspension as he dominated the opening exchanges.

Playing off Randal Kolo Muani, Simons was able to float across the pitch, at one time leading the press and at another dropping deep to pick up the ball and drive Spurs forward.

Undercover: Xavi Simons went missing on Wednesday night

REUTERS

It was his delightful backheel, just his third assist since joining the club in the summer from RB Leipzig, that opened up the chance for Tel to score, and the 22-year-old linked the play superbly throughout.

As the game progressed, though, Simons retreated from view as Bournemouth took control.

It was telling just how few of those who impressed for Spurs early on reacted well to Bournemouth scoring, and Simons was among the guilty party.

Repeated mistakes cost Spurs

All the talk in the lead-up to the game was about the damage that Antoine Semenyo could cause on what looks set to be his final Bournemouth performance.

However, it was on the right flank where Spurs were punished as Marcus Tavernier turned the game on its head with two spectacular inswinging deliveries.

Marcus Tavernier gave Thomas Frank and Tottenham headaches at the Vitality

Action Images via Reuters

Tavernier’s ability to hit through the ball and find a man with a pass does not get spoken about enough, but it is also no secret, and Spurs should have known better than to let him on to his right foot not once but twice in the first half.

Pedro Porro and Djed Spence were simply too slow to close Tavernier down, and they were punished ruthlessly with Evanilson nodding in before Eli Junior Kroupi finished from Marcos Senesi’s cut-back.

Thomas Frank was left perplexed on the touchline as Mathys Tel handed his side an early lead. He will have been seething by the half-time whistle. Spurs did not learn their lesson, and at this level, that is unforgivable.

Concentration has been a big issue for Spurs this season, and they paid the price for not being alert enough to the danger Tavernier posed.

MORE ABOUT

Striker struggled to affect the game as Spurs drop points again

‘Suspect’: Guglielmo Vicario

Action Images via Reuters

Sam Tabuteau

COMMENTS

Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Matt Verri

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo got his fairytale ending as his 95th-minute winner sealed a 3-2 win over Tottenham at the Vitality Stadium.

Mathys Tel gave Tottenham the lead inside five minutes, arrowing a deflected right-footed effort past Dorde Petrovic.

Bournemouth, though, hit back with goals from Evanilson and Junior Kroupi to take a 2-1 lead into the break.

Joao Palhinha levelled the scores with an audacious overhead kick, but Semenyo struck deep into stoppage time to give the hosts all three points.

Sam Tabuteau was at the Vitality Stadium to rate the Spurs players...

Guglielmo Vicario 5

Some suspect moments in possession, but could do little about either Bournemouth goal.

Pedro Porro 4

Gave Tavernier too much time to cross as he found himself out of position for Bournemouth’s equaliser. Rifled a volley well over the bar under pressure. Carded for a cynical challenge just before the hour mark.

Cristian Romero 7

Not tight enough to Evanilson for Bournemouth’s equaliser, but really grew into the game and provided a great option at the back post as Spurs looked to hurt Bournemouth with their set-pieces. A superb challenge to deny Semenyo late on.

Read More

Bournemouth vs Tottenham LIVE: Latest score and updates from Premier League

Semenyo hits stunning winner as Bournemouth heap more misery on Spurs

Burnley vs Man Utd LIVE: Latest score and updates from Premier League

Sponsored

The best destinations and activities to book this winter

Micky Van de Ven 4

Sloppy in possession, he contributed to a performance in which Spurs drifted dangerously and could not recover. Could have turned the hero, if not for an excellent save from Petrovic.

Djed Spence 5

Took the ball well under pressure and got forward well to support Tel, but like Porro, he was not quick enough to cut out Tavernier’s cross as Bournemouth took the lead through Kroupi.

Joao Palhinha 7

Came up with a superb late equaliser, scoring with an overhead kick with just over 10 minutes to play.

Rodrigo Bentancur 4

Gave the ball away at an alarming rate. Started well, but drifted badly as the game wore on.

Lucas Bergvall 6

Back into the starting lineup, his deep runs stretched the play and caused problems for Bournemouth’s backline. Curled a right-footed effort narrowly over the bar in the first half. Replaced early in the second half with an injury.

Xavi Simons 6

Returning from suspension, the Dutchman impressed. A lovely backheel opened up the chance for Tel to score, and he linked the play superbly throughout, whether it was dropping deep or leading the press.

Mathys Tel 7

Opened the scoring inside five minutes as he cut inside and arrowed his shot past Petrovic. Battled well to keep the ball and retain possession under pressure. Kept Spurs probing in the second half.

Randal Kolo Muani 3

Given a chance at striker, he failed to impact the game. Won just one of his 12 duels and committed two fouls without having a single shot on goal.

Subs:

Wilson Odobert 5

Conceded a foul on the edge of the area for a lazy challenge, having failed to get goal-side.

Richarlison 7

Nearly made an immediate impact as his header his the post. Did more in a minute than Kolo Muani managed in 67.

Archie Gray 4

Could not get into the game, he took just four touches.

Unused subs: Kinsky, Dragusin, Danso, Davies, Scarlett, Williams-Barnett

MORE ABOUT

Standard Sport understands Spurs remained in discussions over a potential deal after an opening bid of around £8million was rejected by the Brazilian side.

The new offer is worth £13m, with the player said to be keen on a move to the Premier League.

Spurs are in the market for a left-back to provide competition for Destiny Udogie, who has recently returned to training after a hamstring injury.

In Udogie’s absence, responsibilities have largely fallen to right-back Djed Spence to deputise, though 32-year-old Ben Davies filled in for Spurs’ 1-1 draw with Sunderland on Saturday.

Souza, who has a release clause worth €100m (£87.1m) for overseas clubs, is widely regarded at Santos after breaking into the first team last season.

The Brazilian youth international made 24 appearances last term as Santos avoided relegation to the second division.

Thomas Frank has reiterated that Spurs, who are currently 13th in the Premier League table, will be busy in the January transfer window.

Amid talks to sign a left-back, the departure of Brennan Johnson to Crystal Palace and Mohammed Kudus’ thigh injury mean Spurs’ priority for January is attacking reinforcements.

Asked whether he was worried that Spurs’ league position could deter potential targets from signing for the club, Frank dismissed the suggestion and lauded the club’s potential.

“I think we are very attractive in many ways. I think Spurs is a fantastic club with a huge potential,” said Frank.

“I think some of the boxes you need to tick is, of course, the stadium and the training ground and the potential.

“Of course, if we compete against the three teams that are clearly ahead of us - City, Arsenal, and Liverpool, unfortunately - then those three clubs are probably more attractive right now.

“That’s not to say that we can’t attract some of the players that also want to go to those clubs.

“It depends a little bit if there is a spot available for the player to play in those clubs and here, for example.”

Both Thomas Frank and Andoni Iraola will be desperate to get back to winning ways this evening as Tottenham make the long trip south to face Bournemouth in the Premier League. Tonight’s contenders have just one win between them since mid-December, with the Cherries’ 11-match winless run a particular eye-sore on the form chart. They impressed - to a degree - in last week’s narrow loss to Arsenal, but sorely need three points as they look to put some much-needed breathing space between themselves and the relegation zone.

Frank, meanwhile, has been rather at odds with the travelling Spurs support in recent weeks, copping considerable boos after a dour goalless draw with Brentford, but a win here would work wonders for patching that stretched relationship. He will be up against it, though, with no fit right-winger in the squad following an injury to Mohammed Kudus and the sale of Brennan Johnson.

All hope is not lost, though: Xavi Simons is available again having served his red card suspension. Follow the action LIVE below with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog, complete with expert insight and analysis from Sam Tabuteau at the Vitality Stadium.

Both Thomas Frank and Andoni Iraola will be desperate to get back to winning ways this evening as Tottenham make the long trip south to face Bournemouth in the Premier League. Tonight’s contenders have just one win between them since mid-December, with the Cherries’ 11-match winless run a particular eye-sore on the form chart. They impressed - to a degree - in last week’s narrow loss to Arsenal, but sorely need three points as they look to put some much-needed breathing space between themselves and the relegation zone.

Frank, meanwhile, has been rather at odds with the travelling Spurs support in recent weeks, copping considerable boos after a dour goalless draw with Brentford, but a win here would work wonders for patching that stretched relationship. He will be up against it, though, with no fit right-winger in the squad following an injury to Mohammed Kudus and the sale of Brennan Johnson.

All hope is not lost, though: Xavi Simons is available again having served his red card suspension. Follow the action LIVE below with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog, complete with expert insight and analysis from Sam Tabuteau at the Vitality Stadium.

Mohammed Kudus has not made the squad for Tottenham’s trip to Bournemouth after undergoing a scan on a thigh injury sustained against Sunderland.

Kudus went down off the ball, clutching his left thigh, and received treatment on the pitch before being replaced by Randal Kolo Muani in the 19th minute.

Thomas Frank confirmed in his pre-match press conference that the 25-year-old had undergone a scan to determine the severity of the issue and said he was unlikely to travel with the squad to the Vitality Stadium.

“He's going for a scan here, 1 o'clock, to clarify the issue. So unfortunately, I don't have a big update on it,” the Tottenham boss said.

In Kudus’ absence, Spurs will travel to Bournemouth without a natural right winger, and after an impressive cameo against Sunderland, Kolo Muani will deputise for the Ghanaian.

There are decisions to be made in midfield, with Lucas Bergvall returning from injury against Sunderland. He slots straight back into the lineup.

So too does Xavi Simons, back from suspension after serving a three-game ban following his sending off against Liverpool.

Dominic Solanke remains unavailable despite returning to training last week, but Destiny Udogie might make the matchday squad as he steps up his recovery from a hamstring injury.

“He [Udogie] is training and he's looking better, so that's positive,” Frank said. “No [Solanke won't be involved against Bournemouth]. Positive, going forward."

Confirmed: The three new arrivals Liam Rosenior will be bringing to Chelsea

Confirmed: The three new arrivals Rosenior will be bringing to Chelsea

Tottenham may be forced to sign a forward in January as Mohammed Kudus faces a considerable spell on the sidelines.

Kudus went down off the ball with a thigh injury during Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Sunderland at Hotspur Stadium and was withdrawn after receiving treatment.

It remains unclear exactly how long he will be sidelined, but, after scans revealed the injury is worse than first feared, he is expected to miss multiple matches.

His absence leaves Spurs seriously shorthanded in attack. The right flank will prove a particular problem area after Brennan Johnson was sold to Crystal Palace last week.

Standard Sport understands Spurs will consider their options in the transfer market so as to bolster Frank’s squad heading into the second half of the season.

Antoine Semenyo’s move to Man City could also unsettle Savinho, whom Tottenham moved for in the summer, though it is unclear whether they remain interested in a move.

Frank himself has admitted that Tottenham are in the market for reinforcements across the front line, saying on Monday that his squad is “a little bit short on offensive options.”

Another Spurs target has emerged in Brazilian full-back Souza, who currently plies his trade at Santos. The north Londoners saw an £8million bid rejected last week.

Loan turnover has already begun, too, with South Korean forward Yang Min-hyeok set to be recalled from his season-long stay at Portsmouth in favour of a move to Coventry, where he will join up with Crystal Palace’s Romain Esse.