Tottenham vs Bournemouth LIVE
Spurs simply need a response in front of their own fans as they welcome the Cherries to north London for another tough Premier League test. Coming days after a miserable defeat to AZ Alkmaar in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 clash, and with the second leg on the horizon, Ange Postecoglou knows pressure is mounting on his job.
Defeat today and an exit in the Europa League will surely spell the end of the Australian’s tenure, even with the likes of Djed Spence insisting the manager has the support of his squad. The face Bournemouth head to Spurs as favourites with the bookmakers is an eye-opening sign of the times. Cherries manager Andoni Iraola would be among the favourites to replace Postecoglou.
Spurs hope to be boosted by the returns of Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero, but there remain doubts over Dominic Solanke’s fitness after suffering a knock in Holland. Follow the game LIVE below with our dedicated match blog, featuring expert insight and analysis from Dan Kilpatrick at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Tottenham vs Bournemouth latest news
- GOAL! Son dinks home a penalty
- GOAL! Sarr stunner pulls one back
- GOAL! Evanilson doubles up for Cherries
- GOAL! Tavernier sweeps home the opener
85min: Now what to Spurs have? The crowd have woken up!
GOAL!
15:41 , Alex Young83min: Spurs gifted an equaliser as Son drills the ball home!
PENALTY TO SPURS!
15:40 , Alex Young82min: Kepa comes out and brings down Son!
77min: So much hesitance in this Spurs team - is it a case of not knowing what to do?
73min: Almost a third for Bournemouth as Kluivert hits the post after Maddison loses the ball in the centre circle.
Spurs continue to have no answer to the Bournemouth press.
71min: Scott and Dango are on for Bournemouth.
70min: Evanilson goes within millimetres of adding a third after Vicario’s poor touch inside the six-yard box.
Spurs need momentum, and that won’t help.
GOAL!
15:26 , Alex Young67min: Oh my!
That’s surely a cross? Either way, Sarr he lobbed Kepa from the corner of the penalty area!
A lifeline, and the momentum must be with Spurs now.
66min: Bergvall hits the post from distance! A real thwack, so unlucky.
Spurs pushing, finally.
GOAL!
15:23 , Alex Young65min: Just two minutes after Sarr misses a golden opportunity, Bournemouth look to put the game beyond Spurs as Evanilson dinks the ball over Vicario.
A long, long way back for Spurs now.
Dan Kilpatrick at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
15:21 , Alex YoungVan de Ven's return to the pitch has really lifted the crowd, while Maddison has already made a difference, teeing up Sarr who drags a shot well wide from 18 yards. Spurs bouyed but Bournemouth still ahead.
62min: Kerkez almost with an absolute corker of a finish, forcing Vicario to save onto the crossbar.
That was some hit. Even better save.
61min: Romero and Bentancur make way.
60min: Van de Ven and Maddison are being prepared.
58min: You really struggle to see any sort of plan with this Spurs team. In part, that’s Bournemouth not allowing them to play their football, but when was the last time Spurs did play ‘their football’?
54min: Son cuts inside and shaves the outside of the far post. So, so close to an equaliser.
52min: Postecoglou is shaking his head on the touchline.
NO GOAL!
15:10 , Alex Young51min: Kluivert finishes off another blistering Bournemouth counter, but Semenyo is a good couple of yards offside in the build-up.
Dan Kilpatrick at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
15:06 , Alex YoungBissouma was awful in the first half and it is no surprise to see him hooked for Bergvall at the interval. With Bentancur suspended against Alkmaar on Thursday, I suspect it will now be the Swede at the base of midfield for that game.
48min: Odobert through the centre, has a pop which is slightly deflected to allow Bournemouth to get back in shape and clear.
47min: Spurs fans are very slow to get back for the star to the second half. Plenty of empty seats at the moment, but filling up.
Second half!
15:02 , Alex Young46min: Son and Bergvall are on, Johnson and Bissouma are off.
Looks like Son and Bergvall are coming on at half-time.
Does Postecoglou make changes at the break?
Dan Kilpatrick at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
14:49 , Alex YoungLoud boos around the ground at the whistle, with Spurs trailing to Tavernier's strike.
Ange Postecoglou's side have had to Vicario to thank for keeping the score down again, but they have occasionally been a threat when they beat the Bournemouth press.
On the one hand, this game doesn't really matter for Spurs. On the other, there is a danger of the vibes being really, really bad if they lose again.
Another toothless half from Spurs. Bournemouth could be three up at the break.
Half-time!
14:47 , Alex Young47min: Boos at half-time.
45min: Bissouma plays himself into trouble and then brings down Evanilson for a yellow card.
Spurs back to being all over the place.
GOAL!
14:43 , Alex Young42min: Bournemouth intercept a Spurs counter, run up the other end and Kerkez puts it on a plate for Tavernier to sweep home!
A stunning cross.
40min: Christie tries to send Kluivert long down the wing, but the latter’s touch lets him down and the ball runs out of play.
37min: Odobert seeing so much more of the ball, but his end product hasn’t been there yet.
He’s just sent a cross right over Solanke and Johnson’s heads when under little pressure.
Dan Kilpatrick at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
14:37 , Alex YoungSpurs are now seeing more of the ball but struggling to make it count against a well-drilled Cherries side. Solanke's return is a major boost. His hold-up is streets ahead of Mathys Tel or Son.
31min: Fantastic sliding tackle from Kerkez to deny Johnson in the area. Spurs fans want a pen, but no chance.
30min: Bentancur into the book after catching Kerkez.
28min: Spurs are starting to create chances more regularly, Bournemouth getting a little bit frustrated.
25min: It’s right onto Romero’s head, but Huijsen clears. Romero then commits a foul in the aftermath.
24min: Semenyo fouls Porro around 30 yards out. The right-back will whip this in...
22min: Porro with another cross from the right, this time Solanke connects but his header is weak.
Dan Kilpatrick at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
14:22 , Alex YoungSpurs have settled down a bit but they are still shambolic at the back. Vicario has kept them level so far but he's the latest player in white to give the ball away cheaply at the back, leading to another spell of Bournemouth pressure. The crowd feels restless.
20min: Spurs have no answer to the Bournemouth press.
19min: It’s Tavernier, and it’s straight into the wall.
18min: Straight up the other end, Kluivert forces a foul out of Romero on the edge of the Spurs area.
Who fancies this free kick?
17min: Much better from Spurs as Romero finds finally his man with a midfield-splitting pass, the ball is worked to Porro to whip in a cross into the area but Bournemouth clear.
14min: A decent break for Spurs as Solanke sends Johnson scampering down the right, but Huijsen does very well to stand up to the winger.
13min: Another shoddy pass from Romero to play his team into trouble.
He must just be rusty, but this is something else.
11min: Spence gets a talking to from the referee after tripping Christie.
Spurs have calmed the game down somewhat.
9min: Good from Odobert to get to the byline and carve open a space to dink in a cross, but Bournemouth’s backline can clear.
8min: Corner for Spurs, which Solanke climbs highest to meet and head towards goal but Bournemouth mop up.
Dan Kilpatrick at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
14:07 , Alex YoungVicario kept the scoreline respectable in Alkmaar on Thursday night and he has already spared the blushes of Romero and Bissouma with outstanding saves to deny Evanilson and Kluivert. Spurs all at sea in an alarmingly sloppy start.
5min: Two big saves from Vicario after another mistake from Romero to gift possession to Bournemouth.
First Kluivert denied one on one, and then Evanilson with a header.
4min: Tavernier into the already after tripping Odobert.
3min: A very shakey start from Spurs, who really need to get their foot on the ball and calm things down but Bournemouth aren’t letting them.
2min: Now a misplaced pass from Bentancur.
This is not the confident start Spurs needed.
1min: Oh my word, almost a nightmare start for Romero, who passes straight to Evanilson on the edge of his area and only a super stop from Vicario keeps the scores level after 15 seconds!
Kick-off!
14:00 , Alex Young1min: Here we go!
Romero is leading his team-mates out as captain today.
Dan Kilpatrick checks in
13:56 , Alex YoungOur man in N17.
"A string of changes from Postecoglou, looking for an improved performance from his players."
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) March 9, 2025
Here's @Dan_KP at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.#TOTBOU pic.twitter.com/1jbnfY3b7K
Ange Postecoglou speaks
13:47 , Alex Young“Both [today and Thursday] are really important for us. Our eyes are firmly set on today. No point thinking about Thursday night if we go out there today and perform like we did in the first leg.
“So we need to be better than that. We will be better than that. We need a strong performance and, more importantly, a win.”
The teams are back in their dressing rooms. Not long to go now.
It’s a very sunny day today in north London.
Andoni Iraola speaks
13:17 , Alex Young"Playing Tottenham is always difficult, especially away. I have chosen the team with the best chance to win, and taking into account how both teams play.
"Players coming off the bench will be very important, we will be looking for them to make an impact."
Interestingly, no space in the squad for Mikey Moore again today.
Evanlison fit to start
13:01 , Alex YoungBournemouth make two changes from the defeat at Brighton as Evanilson makes his first Premier League start since January 4, coming in for Ouattara.
Elswhere, Tavernier gets the nod over Brooks. Zabarnyi is serving the final match of his three-game ban.
Romero starts as Son rested
12:56 , Alex YoungTottenham have handed a start to Cristian Romero today against Bournemouth, with Micky van de Ven on the bench.
The two centre-backs have both been long-term injury absentees but were unused substitutes in Thursday’s Europa League last-16 first-leg defeat away against AZ Alkmaar, with Ange Postecoglou of the view that the questionable quality of the pitch at AFAS Stadion would have made fielding either player an unnecessary risk.
Ange Postecoglou has made a number of changes with Thusday’s second leg in mind, with captain Heung-min Son, James Maddison, Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall all on the bench. Dominic Solanke has shaken off a knock to start ahead of loanee Mathys Tel.
Confirmed teams in full
12:51 , Alex YoungTottenham XI: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Danso, Spence; Bentancur, Bissouma, Sarr; Johnson, Solanke, Odobert
Subs: Kinsky, Udogie, van de Ven, Maddison, Gray, Bergvall, Son, Tel, Scarlett
Bournemouth XI: Kepa; Cook, Hill, Huijsen, Kerkez; Adams, Christie; Semenyo, Kluivert, Tavernier; Evanilson
Subs: Dennis, Soler, Akinmboni, Brooks, Scott, Ouattara, Sinisterra, Jebbison, Silcott-Duberry
Tottenham XI
12:47 , Alex YoungSolanke and Romero start.
Team news is in! 🙌
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) March 9, 2025
🔢 @krakenfx pic.twitter.com/dJIMtYfDNV
Bournemouth XI
12:46 , Alex YoungHere’s how the visitors look!
A big one in the capital 👊 pic.twitter.com/HYL8cfZuUz
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) March 9, 2025
Team news to come in five minutes.
So, we know that Solanke is in the building. Surely he starts.
Does Maddison keep his place? Will Van de Ven or Romero start ahead of Thursday?
Bournemouth have lost three of their last four, while Spurs have won three of their last four.
Are the Cherries worthy favourites away from home?
Match odds
12:25 , Alex YoungAs mentioned above, Bournemouth are favourites to win at Tottenham today.
If that isn't a sign of the times, then I don't know what is.
- Tottenham – 7/4
- Draw – 13/5
- Bournemouth – 11/8
(Odds provided by Betway.)
Tottenham vs Bournemouth prediction
12:15 , Alex YoungSpurs will surely offer something of a response in terms of their performance but it’s hard to see them approaching this with anywhere near the importance for the Alkmaar return leg.
Both because of that and Bournemouth’s quality, an away win seems likely.
Bournemouth to win, 2-1.
Early Bournemouth team news
12:05 , Alex YoungRyan Christie is a doubt but has not been officially ruled out.
Julian Araujo, Adam Smith, Illia Zabarnyi, Marcos Senesi and Enes Unal are injured.
Early Tottenham team news
11:51 , Alex YoungTottenham hope to hand minutes to both Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero today.
The two centre-backs have both been long-term injury absentees but were unused substitutes in Thursday’s Europa League last-16 first-leg defeat away against AZ Alkmaar, with Ange Postecoglou of the view that the questionable quality of the pitch at AFAS Stadion would have made fielding either player an unnecessary risk.
Van de Ven and Romero are, however, likely “in line” to face the Cherries in the Premier League on Sunday, according to their manager.
Postecogou said: “Yeah, they’re a chance [against Bournemouth]. Look, when I saw the pitch the night before, I pretty much made up my mind [that] I wasn’t going to risk them last night.
“It wasn’t a great pitch. It wasn’t steady underfoot. It wasn’t the sort of game where I felt I needed to expose them. A couple of extra days' training and recovery, and hopefully both are in line to feature.”
Postecoglou must decide whether to persist with January loan signing Mathys Tel up front, or whether to use him out wide instead. Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison are still out, along with Radu Dragusin.
Solanke in
11:40 , Alex YoungSpurs have dropped an early team news hint, with Solanke, Van de Ven and Romero all pictured arriving at the ground.
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) March 9, 2025
How to watch Tottenham vs Bournemouth
11:36 , Alex YoungTV channel: The game will be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Ultra HDR. Coverage starts at 1pm GMT ahead of a 2pm kick-off.
Live stream: Subscribers will be able to watch via the Sky Go app.
Welcome
11:32 , Alex YoungGood afternoon and welcome to the London Standard’s LIVE coverage of the Premier League clash between Tottenham and Bournemouth.
It’s a sunny day in north London with spring firmly starting to, er, sprung. Spurs could do with a new spring in their step as they look to get back to winning ways and build some momentum ahead of a huge Europa League clash.
Kick-off is at 2pm. Stick with us.
