That’s all for today. I’ll leave you with Ben Fisher’s match report – bye!
James Maddison speaks
Really happy with that. This can be a sticky, difficult place to come - I didn’t have the greatest record here with my previous club – but I thought we controlled it brilliantly. I’m really happy with the goal – it was such a great move and I made a nice run, which I’ve been working on because I want to get more goals. I’ve set myself a target for goals and assists but I’m not gonna tell you what it is!
It’s been very easy to fit in, not just on the pitch. You develop relationships over the course of pre-season and on the training pitch. You pick up what traits your fellow midfielders have; Biss is great at receiving the ball in tight areas and he’s press resistant. When Pape got the ball I made the run because I know he’s got the quality to find me.
The second goal came at a beautiful time. It gave us a bit of breathing space and I thought we were comfortable after that.
The Spurs fans, and their manager Ange Postecoglou, make a point of going over to applaud the away support. James Maddison gives his shirt to a young fan. The players all look really happy.
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There are some interesting 3pm games, including Everton v Wolves. Scott Murray is waiting to furnish you with team news and goalflashes.
Full time: Bournemouth 0-2 Tottenham Hotspur
Peep peep! Spurs go top of the table, at least until 5pm, after an emphatic, occasionally swaggering victory at the Vitality Stadium. James Maddison, the player of the match, and Dejan Kulusevski scored excellent team goals, and the margin of victory could have been greater.
Bournemouth had a very good spell at the start of the second half; Kulusevski’s goal, just after the hour, finished them off. There’s a long way to go, and much tougher opponents to come, but Spurs look really good.
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90+7 min The away fans are chanting “We’ve got our Tottenham back”.
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90+6 min Another chance for Spurs. Perisic twists Aarons’ blood on the left side of the area and rifles a low drive just wide of the far post.
90+5 min After a scramble in the Bournemouth area, Ben Davies blasts over from 18 yards. That was a decent chance.
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90+3 min Anthony gets round the back on the right but his cross is cut out at the near post. Spurs have defended really well, Van de Ven especially.
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90+1 min Porro whacks the free-kick into the ball, then clatters the rebound well wide. There will be eight minutes of added time.
90 min Spurs win a free-kick 25 yards out, to the left of centre. Pedro Porro is over it…
89 min “Perisic is a lucky boy to get away with that,” says Edward Wall of the incident in the 72nd minute. “The first replay TNT showed he looked right at Aarons, then used the fistful of his shirt he had to punch him right in the mush. Knew exactly what he was doing and looked (rightly) v worried when VAR were checking it. I don’t know really what to say here that’s not been said before, but the consistency of these decisions... the swings are pretty wild.”
Oh VAR, so much to answer for. I was surprised they didn’t take a bit longer to check every angle, as they are usually pretty inflexible when somebody is touched above the neck.
88 min The match is petering out.
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86 min: Bournemouth substitution Kieffer Moore replaces Philip Billing.
84 min The indefatigable Kerkez, who looks a fine player for a 19-year-old, wins a corner for Bournemouth. The corner is punched away by Vicario to Lewis Cook, who shoots well wide from distance.
83 min Ange Postecoglou only became Celtic manager because Eddie Howe chose not to take the job in 2021. That decision has had major repercussions for two of the big seven.
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82 min Lads, it’s Tottenham.
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tottenham Hotspur | 3 | 4 | 7 |
| 2 | Brighton | 2 | 6 | 6 |
| 3 | Man City | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| 4 | Arsenal | 2 | 2 | 6 |
| 5 | Brentford | 2 | 3 | 4 |
81 min: Spurs substitution Ben Davies replaces Destiny Udogie, who is able to walk off the field and doesn’t look too bad. Udogie was again terrific at left-back.
79 min Udogie has gone down off the ball and looks in a lot of pain, with his shirt over his face. He may have pulled something when he played a pass back to Vicario.
78 min It hasn’t been a great start to the season for Bournemouth, one point from three games, but I wouldn’t be too worried about them. They have two very goo players to come back in Tyler Adams and Alex Scott, and their fixtures get a lot easier from October.
76 min Van de Ven makes an excellent sliding challenge on Solanke, who would otherwise have been through on goal. Bournemouth haven’t given this up.
74 min: Spurs substitutions Oliver Skipp replaces the superb James Maddison, who scored his first goal for Spurs to put them ahead. And Giovani Lo Celso is on for Yves Bissouma.
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73 min: Bournemouth substitution David Brooks replaces the impressive Antoine Semenyo.
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73 min Here’s the goal from Dejan Kulusevski that put Spurs 2-0 up.
Tottenham double their lead through Dejan Kulusevski!
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 26, 2023
How about that work on the left from Destiny Udogie though 😮💨
📺 Watch live on TNT Sports & discovery+ pic.twitter.com/giHvuYHnyR
72 min Perisic is booked for shoving Aarons in the face as he tried to escape him on the left. It’s checked by VAR but they are happy with the yellow card.
71 min Spurs’ upcoming league games Burnley (A), Sheff Utd (H) and then two biggies: Arsenal (A) and Liverpool (H).
70 min Maddison misses a very good chance to make it 3-0. He ran unchallenged into the area but drove a few yards wide of the far post. He also had the option of passing to Son at the far post.
69 min Bournemouth have a tough run of league games coming up – Brentford (A), Chelsea (H), Brighton (A), Arsenal (H) – though it does get easier after that.
67 min Anthony cuts inside Porro but shoots straight at Vicario from 22 yards. Spurs weren’t happy because Van de Ven was down after being accidentally elbowed by Solanke.
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66 min “Good morning from Pittsburgh!” writes Eric Peterson. “I have this vile, unsavory, selfish wish that Richarlison spins his wheels so badly for Spurs this month that they decide to loan him back to my beloved Everton before the transfer deadline. This is a mark against my character as not only a football fan but also a human being. I feel shame.”
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65 min That goal has flattened Bournemouth, who had started the second half so well. Perisic’s very dangerous cross is headed away at the far post by Kerkez.
That was beautifully worked. Udogie zipped infield from the left and played a one-two with Son on the edge of the area. It looked like the ball was going out for a goalkick but Udogie just kept it in play and dragged it back into the six-yard box. Kulusevski got across the flat-footed Kelly at the near post and flipped it first time into the far corner.
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GOAL! Bournemouth 0-2 Tottenham (Kulusevski 63)
Another excellent team goal from Spurs!
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63 min Spurs are having their best spell of their half, at least in terms of sustained possession.
62 min Son plays in the overlapping Kulusevski, whose slightly tame low cross is cleared.
62 min Spurs are now playing with Perisic on the left wing and Son up front.
61 min “Richarlison continues to disappoint,” says Jeff Sax. “It will not matter what position he plays, he is just another player that will not live up to expectations.”
Jeff’s back, baby!
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60 min: Bournemouth substitution Hamed Traore and Jaidon Anthony replace Justin Kluivert, who had a decent full debut, and Ryan Christie.
60 min “Richarlison appears to have the physical gifts to be a top striker but without the goals to prove it,” says Niall Mullen. “He’s the Brazilian Shane Long I guess. And there are far worse things a man could aspire to being.”
59 min The corner is cleared, and Spurs make a double substitution: Ivan Perisic and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg replace Pape Sarr and a frustrated Richarlison.
58 min Semenyo runs at the Spurs defence and releases Billing on the left of the area. His cross hits Porro and goes behind for a corner. Porro chests Maddison in celebration of his defensive work.
57 min: Just wide from Semenyo! Kluivert dances purposefully infield from the left. He’s challenged by Bissouma but the ball runs to Semenyo, who whips a lovely first-time curler from 22 yards. Vicario is motionless and the ball brushes the side netting at the near post.
57 min Spurs break five on four, but Richarlison – who looks low on confidence – gives the ball away.
54 min Bournemouth have been much better since half-time. Solanke turns Van de Ven beautifully on the left side of the area and drives a low ball that flashes across the six-yard box. Kluivert, who played the ball to Solanke and kept running, couldn’t quite get there.
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54 min Richarlison stands on the ball, falls over and then takes his frustration out on Zabarnyi (I think) with a deliberate trip. He’s booked.
53 min Bournemouth make an emphatic Horlicks of the free-kick.
52 min Semenyo makes a terrific run through midfield but then overhits his pass out to Kluivert. The referee, who played a good advantage, brings play back for a foul by Bissouma on Semenyo; Bissouma is booked.
50 min Billing is fouled on the left wing by Sarr. The free-kick skims the head of Maddison at the near post and flashes across goal to safety.
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49 min Kerkez has a couple of crosses blocked, then Christie overhits his cross towards Billing. Bournemouth have made a decent start to the second half.
46 min Bournemouth have made a half-time substitution: Lewis Cook replaces Joe Rothwell in midfield.
46 min Peep peep! Spurs begin the second half.
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Half-time reading
Talking of extremely likeable footballers.
Half time: Bournemouth 0-1 Spurs
There’s no Y in Spurs right now. They’ve been extremely impressive and lead through a classy goal from the outstanding James Maddison. Philip Billing shot just wide with the last kick of the half, but until then all the best chances fell to Spurs.
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45+6 min: Just wide from Billing! Kluivert’s shot hits a defender and ricochets across the area towards Billing. He takes it first time with his left foot, curling a shot from 17 yards that flashes this far wide of the far post.
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45+2 min “Bloody heck!” says Jeremy Boyce. “For someone who actually achieves very little in terms of net-bulging, Mr Richarlison is getting a lot of MBM attention today. Actually, Postecoglou will only ever get so-much out of R unless R decides to get a bit more out of himself. Anger, fire and demeanour are by-products of his function. He is actually there to stick the spherical object in the net as often as possible, and he’s had a year of watching a master at work to help him along. It’s time to step up!”
45+1 min Kelly is booked for wiping out Richarlison.
45+1 min Five minutes of added time.
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45 min Maddison’s disguised through pass just evades Porro, who arrived late in the area. Maddison is running the game.
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45 min Imagine how good Spurs would be if they still had Harry Kane.
43 min Kerkez wins a corner for Bournemouth, who are ending the half strongly. Rothwell’s inswinger is headed away at the near post.
41 min Christie hammers a long-range drive that is pushed away by Vicario, diving to his left. It was a comfortable save, though also camera-friendly.
40 min Maddison wins the ball high up the field and is fouled by Aarons. He takes the free-kick himself, whacking a dangerous ball just beyond the far post. Richarlison gets to it but can only head into the side netting. It was another chance, though the angle was pretty tight. Maddison has been quite superb.
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39 min “I must respectfully disagree with Jeremy,” says Joe Pearson. “Richarlison’s demeanour, his anger, seems to be the defining and indeed empowering aspect of his game. He plays with such fire! If Postecoglou can get that channeled into performance, Richarlison could become a great asset for Spurs.”
‘Could’ is the operative word here. Richarlison, in the parlance of our time, has a high ceiling and a low floor.
37 min The ball hit Kelly’s hand as he slid towards Richarlison, but he was falling so it’s not a penalty.
36 min: Chance for Spurs! Semenyo is challenged on the edge of the area – Bournemouth thought it was a foul – and Spurs break thrillingly. Maddison beats his man in midfield and slides a killer ball through to Richarlison. He could shoot first time but instead cuts back inside the sliding Kelly. That takes him too close to Neto, so he tries to go round him as well. In the end it all gets too tight and Rothwell makes a desperate clearance.
35 min The free-kick is swung to the far post, where Billing heads straight at Vicario. He had to fight just to get to the ball, so it wasn’t much of a chance.
34 min Udogie gives away a silly free-kick on the right wing, pushing Aarons over when he was going nowhere.
33 min Spurs are playing through the Bournemouth press with increasing confidence. They’ve been very impressive so far.
31 min Sarr is receiving treatment, though it’s nothing major. While u wait, here’s that lovely goal from James Maddison.
James Maddison is off the mark for Spurs! ⚽️
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 26, 2023
A lovely move and finish 👌
📺 Watch live on TNT Sports & discovery+ pic.twitter.com/5lI9vAcBs0
30 min “Yeah,” writes the Mac Millings, “you all think you’re old, watching the sons of former players, but just wait till you’re a teacher teaching the kid of one of your former students...”
29 min That’s nice play from Bournemouth. Semenyo, found on the right side of the area, twists back inside a defender and whacks a shot that hits Sarr (I think) and spins away from a throw-in.
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28 min Can anyone explain why Yves Bissouma was so mediocre last season? He was fantastic at Brighton and he has started this season brilliantly. He’d certainly cost a lot more than £30m now.
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27 min “Mary is, of course, correct,” says Matt Dony. “She is far wiser than me. I will even overlook the fact that her loyalties lie the wrong side of Stanley Park. And on topic, sometimes you just take to footballers. I have no connection to him as a person, to Leicester, or to Spurs, but I really, really like James Maddison. I hope he has a great season. It was a shame to see him struggle so much last year.”
Couldn’t agree more. His interviews are great, he never hides, he’s a darts fan and, best of all, he pretty much always looks like he’s having fun. I bet he’d be great company over a pint, or even an oat flat white.
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26 min Maddison’s corner is headed away to Son on the edge of the area. He flicks the ball up with his left foot and hits a dipping volley that goes a few yards wide of the far post.
25 min Kulusevski runs onto Richarlison’s flick-on and dances elegantly into the area to win a corner. Maddison comes across to take it.
24 min Spurs are playing very well here, dominating midfield and moving the ball about with a lot of confidence. Bissouma and Sarr look very good in midfield.
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24 min “I’m not sure Mary should be so surprised about Richarlison,” says Jeremy Boyce. “It’s one thing being a big player in a poor team (sorry Mary, Everton have been poor for a while now) but another thing altogether achieving ‘bigness’ in a big team. Yes, Spurs are theoretically a big team, or at least that’s how they’d like to see themselves. It’s a big challenge filling the space allocated to you by your reputation and the size of your transfer fee. Even more challenging when you have big boots to fill/replace. He needs to step up, or step out and let someone else have a go. I don’t think he helps himself with his surly expressions and attitude, he needs to channel his inner Pele, who rose to greatness through his joy of playing the beautiful game.”
Brazil are quite a big team, no? That said, I know what you mean. But I do think he needs a run at centre-forward before we judge whether he’s a good fit for Spurs.
23 min Another chance for Spurs! Maddison releases Son on the left. He moves into the area and lays the ball back to Sarr, who shoots tamely towards goal from 12 yards. Neto falls to his left to make a comfortable save.
22 min “Yes, it is awful for us middle-aged football fans when we see that there are now sons of our idols playing football at the highest level,” says Bogdan Kotarlic. “But the most striking thing as far as these players are concerned is when I saw that Ian Wright`s grandson plays senior football. I am 51 and when I read that it made me feel even older.”
How do you think Maria Branyas Morera feels?
20 min James Maddison is such a likeable footballer, and he already looks so comfortable playing as Spurs’ chief creator.
19 min Bournemouth almost respond straight away, with Semenyo miskicking an attempted volley. I think it came to him at an awkward height.
Spurs have been playing some lovely stuff, and now they are ahead. After a patient build-up on the right, Bissouma quickened things up with a sudden swerve around Christie. He fed the ball infield to Sarr, who angled a beautiful through ball into the area. Maddison timed his run perfectly and sidefooted the ball across Neto on the run. Lovely goal.
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GOAL! Bournemouth 0-1 Spurs (Maddison 17)
Spurs take the lead with a fine goal from James Maddison!
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16 min: Chance for Spurs! Neto’s risky pass hits Maddison and deflects to Son. He hurries it back into the area for Maddison, whose low shot is well saved by Neto. The ball rebounds to Richarlison, whose looping header is comfortably saved. Maddison’s was the big chance.
14 min “Dear Matt, you are in the denial phase of the ageing process,” writes Mary Waltz. “The sooner you can reach the acceptance phase the better. No one can stop the slow march to creaky, old-person status, If you fight it you will wear down. There is humour to be found in it and since there is no stopping it surrender will allow you to make the best of it. Even Pete Townsend eventually rejected his ‘hope I die before I get old’ attitude.”
13 min Kluivert’s flat, driven corner is headed away at the near post.
13 min Kluivert plays in the overlapping Kerkez, whose cross deflects behind for a Bournemouth corner. Kluivert will take it…
11 min Romero lands awkwardly after winning a header, and there’s a break in play while he receives treatment. He’s fine.
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11 min Udogie surges thrillingly into the area and drives a cross that is put behind by Billing. The corner is cleared at the near post.
10 min Maddison is starting to get on the ball. His mishit shot hits Aarons on the bicep, though there are no big appeals for a penalty. I think his arm was by his side anyway.
7 min Spurs play through the Bournemouth press for the first time. Maddison finds space and waves an outside-of-the-boot pass towards Richarlison that is cut out by Zabarnyi (I think).
5 min Spurs again try to play out from the back. Bournemouth swarm all over them, but then Semenyo fouls Udogie to give Spurs a bit of respite.
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4 min “No,” says Matt Dony. “Nope. No. Footballers who I enjoyed watching can not have children old enough to play professional football. Because that would mean I’m not young and vital. Justin is clearly Patrick’s (slightly) younger brother. Maybe a cousin. Haaland, Thuram, Maldini et al, it’s like all these guys exist purely to make me feel old. And they are succeeding.”
3 min Son plays a nice one-two with Maddison on the edge of the area. He skips past the last defender, but his touch takes him too wide and the attack peters out. It’s been a lively start from both teams.
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2 min Christie’s corner is headed away at the near post.
2 min Bournemouth press Spurs very effectively to win an early corner.
1 min Peep peep! Bournemouth kick off from right to left as we watch.
A reminder of the teams
Bournemouth (possible 4-2-3-1) Neto; Aarons, Zabarnyi, Kelly, Kerkez; Christie, Rothwell; Semenyo, Billing, Kluivert; Solanke.
Substitutes: Radu, Mepham, Hill, Senesi, Cook, Brooks, Traore, Moore, Anthony.
Tottenham Hotspur (possible 4-1-4-1) Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bissouma; Kulusevski, Sarr, Maddison, Son; Richarlison.
Substitutes: Forster, Sanchez, Emerson Royal, Davies, Skipp, Hojbjerg, Perisic, Lo Celso, Solomon.
Referee Tim Robinson
Ready? Then let’s get cracking. It’s still hosing down at the Vitality Stadium.
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“Scott, I am still surprised that Richarlison has not shown his Brazil/Everton form with Spurs,” writes Mary Waltz. “He saved my Toffees from relegation and his determination to do anything to help his team win made him my favourite.”
Last season was tricky for a few different reasons, but this is his big chance. Unless they sign Brennan Johnson, in which case he might go back to being a spare part.
“Morning Rob,” writes Gerry Scott. “I miss Ange at Celtic and am more invested than I expected in the prospect of him succeeding at Spurs. It’s not just the style of football and the trophies he won but the sense that he gets not just that football is important to people but the ways in which it is important. He requires players to try from the first minute to the last and clearly won’t accept anything less but he didn’t hesitate to withdraw Romero when there was a possibility of concussion. He’s also a compelling speaker on the subject of football and if the BBC or ITV don’t have an eye to booking him for the next World Cup they are missing a trick.”
Everything about him is refreshing. He’s the grown-up in the room, isn’t he? I suspect we may see a different side of his personality if/when the media turns on him, but that’s the same with everyone. He has definitely joined Brendon McCullum, Ben Stokes and Sarina Wiegman on the list of sportspeople I’d really like to work for.
Quality from big Ange pre-match 👏 pic.twitter.com/6vTeQVtXCg
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 26, 2023
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It’s a gorgeous day – in Kings Cross, where we are based. In Bournemouth, alas, it is pelting down.
Max Rushden is in love, and here’s why.
Tyler Adams chats to TNT Sports
"The staff and environment that they've created here and this new culture they're trying to build is amazing."
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 26, 2023
Bournemouth's new signing, Tyler Adams, is bringing an elite mentality to the Vitality Stadium 🙌
📺 Watch live on TNT Sports & discovery+ pic.twitter.com/tRi1XKqp0a
Team news: Kluivert starts
Justin Kluivert makes his full debut for Bournemouth, one of two changes from the defeat at Anfield. Lloyd Kelly also comes in, with Jaidon Anthony and Marcos Senesi omitted. The new signing Tyler Adams is unfit, though he should be available after the international break.
James Maddison is fit to start, which means Spurs are unchanged.
Bournemouth (possible 4-2-3-1) Neto; Aarons, Zabarnyi, Kelly, Kerkez; Christie, Rothwell; Semenyo, Billing, Kluivert; Solanke.
Substitutes: Radu, Mepham, Hill, Senesi, Cook, Brooks, Traore, Moore, Anthony.
Tottenham Hotspur (possible 4-1-4-1) Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bissouma; Kulusevski, Sarr, Maddison, Son; Richarlison.
Substitutes: Forster, Sanchez, Emerson Royal, Davies, Skipp, Hojbjerg, Perisic, Lo Celso, Solomon.
Referee Tim Robinson
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Preamble
Hello and welcome to live coverage of Bournemouth v Lads, It Might Not Be Tottenham Anymore at the Vitality Stadium. Spurs have made an exciting start under Ange Postecoglou, drawing at Brentford and beating Manchester United. Their desire to play out from the back, with two inverted full-backs, will get a good test today from the Bournemouth pressing machine.
It’s way too early to draw conclusions about either team, though it’s fair to say there is legitimate cause for excitement at both clubs. Bournemouth played pretty well in their 1-1 draw with West Ham and caused Liverpool problems last weekend. But Andoni Iraola would like to get his first win sooner rather than later, especially as they have a very tough run of fixtures.
One thing’s for sure: with the way these teams play, there’s no chance it’ll be 0-0. Not a prayer. Nope.
Kick off 12.30pm.
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