Declan Rice’s equaliser denied Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim a much-needed win but Arsenal’s faltering Premier League title challenge suffered another damaging blow in a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford on Sunday.
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The Gunners sit 15 points behind runaway leaders Liverpool, now with just one game in hand, with their focus beginning to turn to holding off the chasing pack for a place in next season’s Champions League.
Bruno Fernandes’ stunning free-kick put United ahead in first-half stoppage time.
The Red Devils, though, could not hold on for just a sixth Premier League win in 16 games under Amorim as Rice swept home on 74 minutes.
United missed a string of late chances to win the game, with a point leaving them down in 14th.
“How we conceded chances in certain moments was not acceptable,” said Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.
“They have so much quality and they pick the right player and normally that would end in a goal.
Utd coach full of praise for Fernandes | 00:48
“We opened the gate to lose the game. there was no chance to lose the game and we opened it ourselves. I will defend my players all the time but in those moments we have to do better.”
Arteta, however, was in no mood to answer questions about the club’s failure to make signings in January amid a striker injury crisis, or about its stuttering title challenge.
The Arsenal boss awkwardly ended a post-match interview abruptly when asked about both matters.
Asked if he regrets not signing a striker in January, Arteta shook his head, said ‘no, it’s not about that’, then started trying to exit.
Stopped and asked for one more question, Arteta paused. But when the interviewer started to point out the 15 gap to Liverpool in the title race, the Spaniard said ‘no’ and completed his walk off.
Spurs salvage draw against Bournemouth | 01:30
Also feeling the heat will be United boss Amorim.
United have had three permanent managers and an interim during Arteta’s five years in charge of Arsenal.
Amorim said he knows he will not get the time Arteta did to turn around a sinking ship at Old Trafford.
The discontent among the home support could be seen around the stands with many taking part in a protest by wearing black over what they perceive as “the death” of their club.
“This club will never die, that is clear,” said Amorim. “You feel it in the streets. This is a big business and maybe all the fans in this league sometimes feel it is harder to go to the games and pay for tickets.”
Arsenal had failed to score in either of their previous two league games to realistically wave goodbye to their hopes of a first title in 21 years.
Premier League wrap: Arsenal fall behind | 03:13
Despite still missing the attacking quartet of Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, the Gunners hit back in stunning fashion to thrash PSV Eindhoven 7-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Infused with fresh confidence, Arsenal started on the front foot but again missed the focal point of a natural centre-forward.
Midfielder Mikel Merino has been forced to deputise upfront in recent weeks and fired wide from the edge of the area with an early opening.
United have struggled for goals all season, but their skipper has remained a source of inspiration and Fernandes produced once more with a sumptuous free-kick just before halftime.
Questions will be asked over Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya’s starting position, but Fernandes still had to whip the ball over an imposing wall and back down into the visitors’ net.
Spurs suffer huge Europa League blow | 01:41
– Raya rescues Arsenal –
If Raya was at fault for the opener, he made amends with a string of saves in the second period.
Noussair Mazraoui and Joshua Zirkzee were the first to be denied as United threatened a second on the counter-attack.
Arteta was able to throw on Martinelli on his return from a hamstring injury in the hunt for an equaliser.
Instead, it was Rice who matched Fernandes’ fine finish by arrowing a shot beyond Andre Onana from Jurrien Timber’s pass.
Amorim had dropped Rasmus Hojlund to the bench after a run of 19 games without a goal.
The Dane should have ended that streak when he allowed Rice to get back and make a goal-saving challenge.
More Raya heroics followed to stop Fernandes from snatching a winner as the match entered stoppage time.
However, a draw did little for Arsenal’s title challenge.
Arteta’s men edge four points clear of third-placed Nottingham Forest and eight clear of Manchester City in fifth in the battle for a place in next season’s Champions League.
Manchester City roared back into form with a 6-0 thrashing of Ipswich, while Nottingham Forest’s unlikely title challenge goes on after a 3-2 victory over Southampton took Nuno Espirito Santo’s men level with second-placed Arsenal.
– ‘We are worst team in history of Man Utd’: Amorim –
Ruben Amorim made the astonishing admission that his Manchester United flops are the worst team in the club’s history after Sunday’s dismal 3-1 defeat against Brighton.
United crumbled to a sixth loss in 11 Premier League games since Amorim arrived from Sporting Lisbon to replace the sacked Erik ten Hag.
“We are the worst team maybe in the history of Manchester United,” Amorim said after his side’s wretched display at Old Trafford.
“I know you want headlines but I am saying that because we have to acknowledge that and to change that. Here you go: your headlines.”
Man UTD legend passes away aged 84 | 00:39
Amorim’s side are languishing in 13th place and although they are 10 points above the relegation zone, they are far from certain to avoid being dragged into the survival struggle on the evidence of Sunday’s display.
Yankuba Minteh set the tone for United’s moribund performance with an early opener for Brighton.
Bruno Fernandes equalised with a penalty before half-time, but second-half goals from Kaoru Mitoma and Georginio Rutter left United in turmoil.
United have suffered six home league defeats this season, their most from their opening 12 matches of a season since 1893-94.
They have also lost 10 of their 22 league games this season, the earliest into a top-flight campaign that they have hit double figures for defeats since 1989-90.
“Imagine what this is for a fan of Manchester United. Imagine what this is for me. We are getting a new coach who is losing more than the last coach. I have full knowledge of that,” Amorim said.
While United have not been dragged completely into the fight for survival just yet, Amorim must find a way to get results to avoid the pressure on him becoming intolerable.
The 39-year-old arrived at United in November, hailed as one of Europe’s brightest young coaches.
But his preferred 3-4-3 formation is not suited to the players in United’s squad.
Yet, while he admitted he is only thinking of avoiding relegation now, the Portuguese coach refuses to change his philosophy.
“I am not going to change, no matter what. I know we can succeed but we need to survive this moment. I am not naive. We need to survive now,” Amorim said.
United’s latest calamity came on the day the club paid a sombre tribute to Denis Law after their legendary striker passed away aged 84 on Friday.
Postecoglou: ‘Spurs need reinforcements’ | 01:11
– ‘Everybody is underperforming’ –
Law is immortalised in a statue of United’s ‘Holy Trinity’ alongside Bobby Charlton and George Best outside Old Trafford.
Fans laid scarves and flowers at the statue in tribute to the third highest scorer in United’s history and took part in a minute’s applause for Law prior to kick-off.
What transpired after that would have shocked Law to his core as Amorim’s team once again failed to live up to the storied history of the 20-time English champions.
“In nine games in the Premier League, we won two,” Amorim said. “Everybody here is underperforming, no matter what the circumstances.
“We are underperforming and have to accept that. It’s unacceptable to lose so many games, for any Premier League club, imagine Manchester United.
“So it’s a really hard moment but we have to continue, we have to continue, there is no other way.”
United have lost six of their last seven league games against Brighton in an indication of how far they have fallen since last winning the title in 2013.
Amorim’s side host Rangers in their next game on Thursday in the Europa League, with the manager desperate for a positive result to change the mood.
“I knew it was going to be hard to put a completely new idea in the moment, but when you lose games and don’t win three games in a row it becomes really hard,” Amorim said.
“So that’s why I’m telling we are going to suffer because I will continue to do the same.
“I am just here to help my players, but we need to understand we are breaking all the bad records.”
Haaland signs monster deal with City | 01:21
– Foden stars as Man City hit Ipswich for six –
Phil Foden struck twice as Manchester City climbed to fourth in the Premier League with a 6-0 rout of struggling Ipswich on Sunday.
Foden netted either side of Mateo Kovacic’s eye-catching goal as City blew Ipswich away with three first-half goals at Portman Road.
Jeremy Doku, Erling Haaland and James McAtee netted after the interval as City enjoyed their biggest league win this season.
Pep Guardiola’s side have won three of their last four league games as they begin the long climb back to respectability after a dismal start to the season.
Sterner tests lie in wait for City, including a vital Champions League trip to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday and looming Premier League clashes with Chelsea and Arsenal.
But this was the kind of confident display City used to make look routine during their march to four successive English titles.
Winning is almost certain to prove beyond them as they trail leaders Liverpool by 12 points.
Guardiola will settle for restoring City’s pride this term as he rebuilds a team that suddenly grew old and inconsistent before his eyes.
Haaland, who has scored 112 goals in just 127 appearances for City, this week committed himself to the club until 2034 when he signed a new nine-and-a-half year deal.
But Kyle Walker was again absent from the City side amid reports that AC Milan are ready to bid for the unsettled England right-back.
In City’s first visit to Portman Road for 23 years, the champions emphasised how powerful they can still be at peak form.
– Ruthless City –
Haaland scored a hat-trick when City beat Ipswich 4-1 in August and he threatened to net in the opening moments in Suffolk.
Kovacic’s pass split the Ipswich defence and sent Haaland clean through on goal, but the Norway striker’s shot was pushed away by Christian Walton.
Kovacic fired wastefully over after a flowing move carved open the Ipswich rearguard again.
Omari Hutchinson almost put Ipswich ahead against the run of play with a stinging strike from just inside the area that hit Haaland and flashed just over.
But City’s pressure was rewarded in the 27th minute when Doku and Kevin De Bruyne combined to set up Foden for a clinical close-range finish.
Foden turned provider as ruthless City doubled their lead three minutes later. Kovacic strode onto Foden’s pass on the edge of the area and smashed a superb low strike past the flat-footed Walton for his first goal since October.
Guardiola’s men were rampant and they struck again three minutes before half-time.
Set free by Doku, De Bruyne raced into the area and cut the ball back for Foden, whose shot from five yards evaded Walton’s weak attempted save.
The England forward’s fifth goal in his last four games maintained his recent improvement.
City have scored 25 first-half goals in 22 games, more than any other team in the Premier League this season.
Ipswich were powerless to stem the tide. Doku danced through their defence to score City’s fourth with a low shot that hit Dara O’Shea on its way past Walton in the 49th minute.
City showed no mercy and Haaland joined the party in the 57th minute. Jack Clarke conceded possession and Doku teed up Haaland to drill past Walton for his 22nd goal in all competitions this season.
McAtee came off the bench to bag City’s sixth in the 69th minute, the 22-year-old looping a header over Walton from Kovacic’s cross.
Forest were equally rampant in the first 45 minutes to cut the gap on leaders Liverpool to six points and consolidate their lead in the race for a place in the Champions League next season.
Elliot Anderson, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Chris Wood netted before the break. Southampton salvaged some pride in the second period through Jan Bednarek and Paul Onuachu but they remain on course for an immediate return to the Championship, 10 points adrift of safety.
Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge was dealt another seismic blow as Joao Pedro’s penalty secured a 1-1 draw for Brighton on Saturday to leave the Gunners five points adrift of leaders Liverpool, who have two games in hand.
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Mikel Arteta’s attacking options were limited by illness and injury but 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri took his chance to shine with a composed finish to put the visitors in front.
However, Arsenal saw two vital points slip away when William Saliba was harshly punished for a clash of heads with Joao Pedro and the Brazilian slotted home the resulting spot-kick.
Arsenal legend Ian Wright was insenced over the decision, claiming double standards after a hefty clash between Tottenham’s Dejan Kulusevski and Newcastle midfielder Anthony Gordon did not end in a penalty earlier in the day.
“It’s pathetic,” Wright said.
“He’s just tried to head the ball here — I don’t know what to believe anymore. C’mon man, it’s ridiculous.
“I can’t believe what I’ve just seen.”
Liverpool can now further extend their lead at the top and close in on a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title when they host struggling Manchester United on Sunday.
Already shorn of talisman Bukayo Saka for the next two months with a hamstring injury, Arsenal’s attacking options were further depleted by illness.
Kai Havertz failed to even make the matchday squad for the second consecutive game, while captain Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli were only fit enough for appearances as second-half substitutes.
Nwaneri was the beneficiary with a second consecutive start and showed why he is one of the Premier League’s rising stars with a clinical finish for the opening goal.
The teenager still had plenty to do as he raced onto Mikel Merino’s ball over the top but his pace took him beyond the Brighton defence before firing low into the far corner on 16 minutes.
Arsenal went on to control the remainder of the first half but lacked any penetration without their quartet of attacking stars to build on their lead.
Merino had the one big opportunity to double the Gunners’ advantage early in the second period when he skewed wide from Declan Rice’s free-kick.
Moments later the visitors were rocked by a controversial call that could have huge ramifications for the title race.
There was the slightest touch from Saliba’s head onto Joao Pedro’s but the Brighton forward went down clutching his face and got the reward of a spot-kick.
The Seagulls captain for the day, in the absence of Lewis Dunk, confidently stroked home the penalty to level.
Arteta responded immediately by summoning Odegaard from the bench, while Martinelli had replaced Nwaneri at the break.
However, it was Brighton who looked the most likely winners in the closing stages.
Yakuba Minteh wasted a great chance to end their now eight-game winless run when his shot across goal evaded both Yasin Ayari and Kaoru Mitoma and slid wide of the far post.
But a point is enough to edge Brighton back into 10th.
Spurs to target January transfer window | 01:10
HAALAND DOUBLES UP IN MAN CITY STROLL AS SPURS FUME
Erling Haaland scored twice as Manchester City pummelled West Ham 4-1 in the Premier League on Saturday while in-form Newcastle inflicted another painful defeat on Ange Postecoglou’s struggling Tottenham.
Chelsea’s recent woes continued with a 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace, meaning they have taken just two points from four games over the festive period.
Defending champions City beat Leicester last week for just their second win in 14 games but they have now won successive matches for the first time since October and Pep Guardiola will hope they have turned the corner.
The home side took the lead in the 10th minute when West Ham’s Vladimir Coufal deflected City winger Savinho’s cross past goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.
City tightened their grip three minutes before the break when Haaland headed home at the back post from Savinho’s deep cross.
The Norwegian claimed his second 10 minutes after the interval, dinking the ball over Areola after a fine pass from Savinho, to take his league haul to 16 goals, one behind Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.
Phil Foden made it 4-0 before Niclas Fuellkrug grabbed a consolation for Julen Lopetegui’s men, who suffered a 5-0 mauling by Premier League leaders Liverpool last week.
Despite their shocking run of results, sixth-placed City are just two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.
But Guardiola said his team were still not back in the groove. “We have struggled with results recently but the last two victories are good and we did not lose for three,” he told the BBC.
“I would say a month and half (of poor form) compared with eight years is not bad.”
Erling Haaland scored twice as Manchester City pummelled West Ham 4-1.Source: Getty Images
– ‘Angriest in career’ –
In the early kick-off at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Newcastle came from behind to clinch a fifth straight Premier League win and heap more misery on injury-hit Spurs.
The home side went ahead in the fourth minute through Dominic Solanke.
Newcastle levelled two minutes later when Antony Gordon arrowed an effort into the bottom corner but Postecoglou stood in disbelief on the touchline looking at referee Andrew Madley after Joelinton intercepted Lucas Bergvall’s pass with his hand in the build-up.
VAR deemed Joelinton’s arm to be in a natural position and the contact to be accidental, which provoked a furious reaction from Tottenham’s bench and they were up in arms midway through the first half when the already-booked Dan Burn avoided a second yellow card for handball by the centre circle.
In-form Alexander Isak scored what turned out to be the winner towards the end of the first period.
Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea were breathing down Liverpool’s necks just two weeks ago but are now nine points behind the Reds, having played two games more.
The Italian, who has always insisted his team are not in the title race, made six changes for the match at Selhurst Park.
Chelsea took the lead when Jadon Sancho drove down the left and found Cole Palmer, who calmly finished in the corner.
The visitors enjoyed the bulk of possession but they could not capitalise and Jean-Philippe Mateta levelled in the 82nd minute.
Aston Villa beat relegation-threatened Leicester 2-1 at home, with goals from Ross Barkley and Leon Bailey.
Brentford recorded their first league win on the road, smashing bottom side Southampton 5-0, and Bournemouth beat Everton 1-0.
Arsenal crushed Nottingham Forest to end their winless run as skipper Martin Odegaard made a long-awaited injury return. Meanwhile, Chelsea survived a late Leicester scare to put more pressure on Manchester City.
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ARSENAL REIGNITE TITLE HOPES WITH BIG WIN
Mikel Arteta said his Arsenal team “flows in a different way” when Martin Odegaard is playing after the Gunners crushed Nottingham Forest 3-0 to end their winless run.
Stunning strikes from Bukayo Saka and Thomas Partey and a first Premier League goal for teenager Ethan Nwaneri gave Arsenal a first victory in five league games, reigniting their title challenge.
Arsenal, Premier League runners-up for the past two seasons, started the campaign strongly but their form dipped and they kicked off on Saturday nine points behind leaders Liverpool.
Victory at the Emirates lifts them to 22 points, level with third-placed Chelsea.
Arsenal took the lead in the 15th minute when Saka exchanged passes with Odegaard on the edge of the area before lashing a left-footed shot into the roof of the net.
Captain Odegaard was making his first appearance at the Emirates since late August and showed what a huge miss he was for Arsenal during his two-month injury absence.
Time and again the Norwegian found space in the penalty area with his quick feet and he teed up Gabriel Jesus, who curled narrowly wide, before linking up with Saka again.
Partey doubled Arsenal’s lead early in the second half after collecting Saka’s pass 20 yards out and taking a touch, before curling his shot away from the dive of Matz Sels and inside the far post.
Seventeen-year-old Nwaneri tucked away Raheem Sterling’s cutback to wrap up an emphatic win in the 86th minute.
“I think we started really well,” Arteta told the BBC. “The sense I was getting in the last 48 hours after the international break, the boys coming together and were all at it.”
Speaking about Odegaard, who returned to action at Inter Milan earlier this month, he said: “It’s not a coincidence. The team flows in a different way when he is playing.” And he also had warm words for Nwaneri.
“He is the second-youngest (Premier League goalscorer) in our history,” Arteta said. “That’s a story in itself.
“He’s brave. You see the reaction of fans and they were singing ‘He’s one of our own’. I think we have to put brick by brick and make sure the cement doesn’t get dry. Hopefully we can build a beautiful thing with him.”
CHELSEA SNEAK PAST LEICESTER
Chelsea survived a late scare to beat Leicester 2-1 on Enzo Maresca’s return to the King Power Stadium, climbing just a point behind second-placed Manchester City in the Premier League.
The visitors looked comfortable after goals from Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez, but they faced a nervy final few minutes after Jordan Ayew pulled a goal back from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time.
Chelsea’s win, which came after two draws, lifts them to 22 points — one behind City and three clear of fourth-placed Arsenal ahead of the later kick-offs on Saturday.
Maresca said he was proud of his team after so little preparation time following the international break.
“The only thing I asked the players before the game, I said, ‘Guys, we have the chance today to make a statement in terms of (who) we are’,” he told TNT Sports.
“Because when you play this kind of game, all the clubs that they are behind, like in this moment, I don’t know, Arsenal or Villa or Brighton or (Manchester) United, Tottenham, they are watching.
“They are waiting for us to drop points. And we show that we are there. And we’re going to compete until the end and then we’ll see where we arrive.”
It was Maresca’s first game at the King Power since he took Leicester back to the Premier League last season in his only campaign at the club.
Chelsea took control from the kick-off and Joao Felix, making his first Premier League start of the season, had two early efforts.
But the visitors got the goal they deserved when Jackson won his tussle with Leicester defender Wout Faes.
The ball fell to Fernandez, who found Jackson and the Senegal forward poked home with the outside of his right foot for his seventh league goal of the season.
Leicester goalkeeper Mads Hermansen kept out Noni Madueke’s sharp effort and Madueke had a goal disallowed for a tight offside against Marc Cucurella just after the half-hour.
But as the first period wore on there was a momentum shift and Leicester suddenly started looking more dangerous.
Steve Cooper’s men broke at pace and Oliver Skipp found Kasey McAteer on the right. McAteer, making his full Premier League debut, cut inside but steered his shot just beyond the far post.
Wilfred Ndidi then screwed wide as half-time approached.
Chelsea looked certain to double their lead 10 minutes after the restart but somehow contrived to squander the chance, when Madueke got in the way of a Cole Palmer shot on the goalline in a comical episode.
England international Madueke did his best to try and jump out of the way of Palmer’s effort but it hit him and rolled out for a goalkick, with Palmer seeing the funny side.
But Chelsea did find the net in the 75th minute when Fernandez headed home after Hermansen kept out Jackson’s header.
Leicester substitute Stephy Mavididi appeared to have a strong case for a penalty after he tumbled in the box about 10 minutes later but no foul was given.
Fellow substitute Ayew did pull a goal back from the penalty spot in the 95th minute after Bobby De Cordova-Reid was brought down but it was too little, too late.
Leicester, the 2016 Premier League champions, remain just three points above the relegation zone.
OTHER RESULTS
Aston Villa are now winless in six games in all competition and had to twice come from behind to salvage a 2-2 draw at home to Crystal Palace.
Brighton’s incredible start under 31-year-old boss Fabian Hurzeler continued with a 2-1 win at Bournemouth to climb to fifth.
Wolves are out of the bottom three thanks to a stunning 4-1 win at Fulham, with Matheus Cunha scoring twice.
Everton failed to take advantage of an early red card for Brentford’s Christian Norgaard in a 0-0 draw at Goodison Park.
Meanwhile, Ruben Amorim takes charge of Manchester United for the first time in the pick of Monday’s action when the Red Devils visit Ipswich.
On the day Spurs’ fiercest rivals’ title challenge took a significant hit, Ange Postecoglou showed his pragmatic hand to guide Tottenham to a big comeback win.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal were victims of their own ill-discipline once again, although William Saliba wasn’t the only player to see red in a wild night of Premier League football.
Read about all that and more in our wrap of the overnight Premier League action!
Auckland FC start A League with win | 01:25
ANGE’S ‘EYE-RAISING’ SPURS GAMBLE PAYS OFF
Throughout this Tottenham career, Ange Postecoglou has come under fire often. At times the Australian has been perceived as lacking pragmatism, and the ‘Plan B’ so loved by English football.
Translation: Instead of taking the safe option, Ange goes for the jugular. He’d rather win 5-4 than 1-0.
And yet with his side level with West Ham at half-time Ange did something many thought unthinkable. He made a pragmatic substitution.
Off went attacking midfielder James Maddison, at times the creative jewel in Postecoglou’s Spurs crown. On came Pape Matar Sarr, a more conservative and traditional central midfielder.
Speaking on Optus Sports’ Matchday Live, Premier League legend Emannuel Petit described the move as “strange because he’s (Maddison) a really good player.”
“So I was quite surprised. It’s quite strange from the manager.”
Maddison hadn’t been poor by any stretch of the imagination. He’d created Dejan Kulusevski’s equaliser and had five key passes in the opening 45 minutes, but as Ange noted post-game he needed different profiles in midfield.
“I just felt West Ham ask you certain questions in midfield areas and I just felt Pape’s running power would help us in the second half,” he explained.
“They obviously worked hard in the first half and I thought he could give us some real energy.
“I thought he did really well and he gave us a platform to be really threatening every time we went forward and clinical in our football.”
Former Brighton striker Glenn Murray described it as an “eye-raiser” but conceded the decision ultimately worked.
“Hindsight proves it was the right decision,” Murray said.
As Murray noted, Ange’s gamble paid off. Spurs scored three times in eight minutes to win and climb to seventh on the ladder. Sarr too was strong, dispossessing Jarrod Bowen as he moved towards Tottenham’s goal and finding Heung-Min Son with a beautiful assist for his 60th minute goal.
Spurs could’ve scored more too. Son hit the post in the 61st minute while the free-flowing attack continued throughout the second half, forcing West Ham keeper Alphonse Areola into three saves.
“When they are good they are nearly irresistible, Tottenham,” Connor McNamara said on commentary.
Former Spurs manager Tim Sherwood heralded the character Spurs showed during the win.
“To go behind and then come out with that character in the second half, after what happened at Brighton before the international break, I think not only the ability of his side, but the character of his side, really shone through,” he said.
Writing in The Guardian, Jacob Steinberg described Tottenham as ‘exhilarating,’ while noting ‘Ange Postecoglou was there to see another defensive implosion, but this time he would not be the coach who will have to deal with the fallout.’
Indeed the post-mortem will centralise on West Ham and new manager Julen Lopetegui, who has failed to inspire the tactical shifts expected of him in pre-season. Their second half capitulation means they sit 15th.
That game that overshadowed a five game winning streak and inspired further doubts about Postecoglou’s Premier League suitability.
For now at least those pressures are alleviated.
James Maddison’s half-time substitution was a turning point in Spurs’ 4-1 comeback win over West Ham.Source: AFP
ARSENAL’S CHARGE TAKES SIGNIFICANT HIT
At the end of the season if Arsenal fail to break their Premier League title drought, Mikel Arteta will reflect on this loss as the moment the title slipped through his side’s fingers.
Arsenal were unbeaten heading into the weekend, with their defence the envy of the Premier League and their attacking improving weekly.
Bournemouth are a good side, coached well by Andoni Iraola, but their start to the season had been indifferent.
Few would have predicted the game to unfold as it did.
Arteta, and Arsenal fans, will argue William Saliba’s controversial 30th minute red card, awarded after the Frenchman brought down Bournemouth striker Evanilson just beyond the halfway line.
There was no Arsenal defender between the Brazilian and goal, a factor that ultimately led VAR Jarred Gillett to instruct referee Rob Jones, who initially awarded a yellow card, to send the Arsenal defender off.
For the third time this season Arsenal would need to see out a game with a man down.
Raheem Sterling initially shifted to right back, with Ben White moving into the heart of defence in Saliba’s place. However, Antoine Semenyo breezed by the pair twice, prompting Arteta to introduce Jakub Kiwior and return White to right back.
Arsenal, who were without Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka, their two most important creators, held Bournemouth scoreless until the 70th minute, when a lovely corner move resulted in Ryan Christie’s strike breaking the deadlock.
The Premier League’s set-piece masters were breached by a set-piece.
Seven minutes later Evanilson was again involved. Fouled by David Raya in the box the Brazilian won a penalty, converted by Justin Kluivert to secure a big win for Bournemouth, a monumental loss for Arsenal.
William Saliba was initially shown a yellow card against Bournemouth. VAR intervened and changed it to a red card, leaving Arsenal to play with 10 men for much of the match.Source: Getty Images
The Gunners were not without their chances. Gabriel Martinelli had a great chance to score moments before Bournemouth’s opener, but missed the target, while Mikel Merino pushed a shot wide earlier in the game.
Speaking post-game, Arteta described the task set for Arsenal following Saliba’s send off as “impossible.”
“We are very disappointed with the result and gutted because we had to play in that context again,” he said.
Discussing Saliba’s red card, the Spaniard conceded he’s not expecting it to be overturned during the week.
“It was a decision made on the pitch. The decision was changed. I don’t think it will change twice. The decision has been made,” he said.
Auckland FC start A League with win | 01:25
ETH SAFE FOR ANOTHER DAY
Boos rang around Old Trafford at halftime, though perhaps not the kind of boos some may have expected after the last fortnight at Manchester United.
Brentford’s Ethan Pinnock had just scored an injury time header from a corner to lift his side into the lead at the interval.
The strike didn’t come without controversy after United’s Dutch central defender Matthijs De Ligt was forced to leave the pitch and have some blood cleaned from his face.
Instead of waiting for De Ligt to return, referee Sam Barrott allowed play to continue, ultimately resulting in Brentford’s opener.
United’s bench erupted after the ball rifled into the back of the net. Erik Ten Hag, arguably the manager under the most pressure in world football, was booked for his protests of the decision to allow play to continue while De Ligt was sidelined.
Given the storm surrounding the future of the Dutchman’s managerial tenure, Ten Hag’s frustration was justified. In a must-win game his side entered the interval behind against a difficult to break down Brentford side.
Writing in The Athletic, Mark Critchley said Pinnock’s goal ‘felt like the end. The chances of a second half fightback appeared remote.’
At the break United, who were without six first team players, were yet to create a big chance. By full-time they’d created three, scoring two, to record a big win both in the context of their season and their manager’s future.
Alejandro Garnacho got the ball rolling in the 47th minute, meeting a sublime Marcus Rashford cross to score his first goal of the season, before a delightful Bruno Fernandes flick set Rasmus Hojlund up in the 62nd minute.
Even more impressive was the way United managed their lead in the dying stages of the contest, something Critchley noted.
‘Not only did (United) turn this game on its head, but once in front, they managed the final stages relatively well – something which has not often been said of this side in the past,’ he wrote.
Post-game Ten Hag insisted the victory “showed we are together.”
“We showed determination and scored two beautiful goals.”
Erik Ten Hag wasn’t happy with the decision to allow play to continue while Matthijs De Ligt was off the field receiving treatment.Source: AFP
Goals have been a major problem to United in what has been their worst-ever start to a Premier League season. Prior to their Brentford win they’d scored just five. That figure is now seven, two less than 19th placed Wolves.
Ten Hag will be hoping goals to Garnacho and Hojlund, as well as Rashford’s creative output, will kick his side into attacking gear as they look to kick their season into life.
“This team has the capacity to score very good goals,” he stated post-game.
“Today the two goals we scored were high quality and when you score and win you add confidence.
“At the start of the season we had some good performances but didn’t score enough, then everyone is negative.
“This result can help us, but it is only one win and we must build on it.”
LATE DRAMA SEALS FOXES COMEBACK
After half an hour Southampton were 2-0 up against Leicester, courtesy of goals to Cameron Archer and Joe Aribo, and seemingly on their way to a first win of the season.
Their lead remained after an hour, before Facundo Buoanotte’s fortunate strike found the back of the net, giving Leicester a way back into the game.
10 minutes later they were level, courtesy of a Jamie Vardy penalty that came after the striker’s shirt was pulled by Saints winger Ryan Fraser as he attempted to sweep the ball into the back of the net from close range.
Jordan Ayew’s late strike sealed Leicester’s comeback win over Southampton.Source: Getty Images
Fraser was sent off, the fifth player to see the red in the Premier League overnight, and Vardy converted the penalty, drawing the Foxes level with plenty of time to play.
Despite their man advantage, Leicester’s winner came with essentially the final kick of the game after Jordan Ayew swept the ball home from a corner in the 98th minute.
The win lifts Leicester to 14th, six points clear of the relegation zone – although both Palace and Wolves have a game in hand.
For Southampton, losing from such a winnable position has turned the pressure up on manager Russell Martin, who has constantly been accused of playing beautiful, possession-based football without getting results.
VILLA’S MARCH CONTINUES AS NEWCASTLE FALTER
Aston Villa’s towards the top of the Premier League table continued against Fulham overnight.
Unai Emery’s side fell behind to an early Raul Jimenez strike but scored three times before full-time to seal a crucial three points.
Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins both scored, continuing their fine seasons, before an Issa Diop own goal sealed the win after 70 minutes. Emi Martinez saved an Andreas Pereira penalty with the scores locked at 1-1.
Fulham lost central defender Joachim Andersen to a red card six minutes before Diop found the back of his own net.
The win leaves Villa fourth on 17 points, two clear of fifth-placed Brighton, who narrowly beat Newcastle overnight.
Danny Welbeck’s fifth goal of the season proved the difference between the two sides
Jurgen Klopp will leave Anfield on Sunday as a living legend, having restored Liverpool to the elite of English and European football while building a lasting bond with the city and its people.
Ever since the manager in January announced the shock decision he would be stepping down at the end of the season, the sense of loss that has enveloped Merseyside has been palpable.
The raw emotion is testament to a transformation that Liverpool had not seen since the days of Bill Shankly decades ago.
On Klopp’s first day in charge at Anfield in October 2015 he modestly declared himself as “a Normal One”, in stark contrast to Jose Mourinho’s bombastic “Special One” arrival as Chelsea boss a decade earlier.
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Yet the German would prove he was anything but normal, becoming the only Liverpool manager to complete the collection of Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup, Club World Cup and Community Shield during his tenure.
Klopp arrived with Liverpool 10th in the Premier League table and without a league title in 25 years.
Yet his force of personality, charisma and coaching nous soon began to enchant a highly emotive fanbase.
“This is a very, very special club. I didn’t make them believe, I reminded them that it helps when you believe,” said Klopp earlier this month.
“Everybody was ready to push the train. That’s what we did now for eight-and-a-half years.”
Here are the five moments that sum up his special time on Merseyside.
Klopp led Liverpool to a first Champions League title since 2005.Source: AFP
2016: Dortmund delight
It took nearly four years for the trophies to start flowing for Klopp in England but there were memorable moments from his first season as Liverpool reached the Europa League final, where they lost to Sevilla.
Klopp faced a reunion with former club Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-finals. After a 1-1 draw in the first leg, two early goals from the Germans at Anfield left Liverpool with a mountain to climb.
But the Reds roared back, with Dejan Lovren scoring a late winner as Klopp bounced up and down on the touchline, celebrating a 5-4 win on aggregate.
Liverpool would go onto reach four European finals under Klopp as he restored the English giants as a powerhouse in continental competition.
Liverpool’s Croatian defender Dejan Lovren (L) celebrates with Jurgen Klopp after the epic win.Source: AFP
2019: Barcelona blown away
For all of Liverpool’s rich history in European competition, arguably Anfield’s greatest ever night came in a remarkable fightback against Barcelona to reach the Champions League final in 2019.
A Lionel Messi-inspired Barca had won the first leg 3-0 at the Camp Nou. Back at Anfield they were demolished by an understrength Liverpool, who were without two of their own talismanic front three in Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino.
In their absence, Divock Origi was the unlikely hero as he and Georginio Wijnaldum each scored twice in a stunning 4-0 victory.
Klopp celebrates with Mo Salah and Virgil Van Dijk after one of Liverpool’s greatest European nights.Source: Getty Images
2019: Champions League glory
After beating Barcelona, Tottenham were tamed as tens of thousands of Liverpool supporters turned Madrid red in celebration of a sixth Champions League title.
Salah and Origi scored the goals at the Metropolitano Stadium as Klopp finally got his hands on Europe’s biggest prize after losing his two previous finals with Dortmund and Liverpool.
Klopp with the Champions League trophy as the team celebrated in an open-top bus parade in Liverpool.Source: AFP
2020: First Premier League trophy for 30 years
Liverpool posted a then club-record 97 Premier League points in the 2018/19 season, but still missed out on the title by one point to a relentless Manchester City.
The following year they were not to be denied — even by the interruption to the season caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Klopp’s men won 26 and drew one of their opening 27 games on their way to racking up 99 points and claiming a first league title in 30 years.
The players had to lift the trophy at an empty Anfield because of Covid restrictions, but thousands of fans defied the ban on socialising to gather outside the stadium, setting off red flares.
After years of near misses, Liverpool finally ended their long wait for another league crown in 2020.Source: AFP
2024: Unlikely final trophy
After a difficult 2022/23 campaign, Klopp proved his managerial acumen once more by refreshing the squad with youth and energy, which inspired another quadruple quest.
Klopp’s goodbye did not reach a glorious crescendo as Liverpool’s Premier League title challenge came off the rails in the final weeks of the campaign and they exited the FA Cup and Europa League.
However, there was still silverware to celebrate from his final season in the League Cup.
Virgil van Dijk’s header minutes from the end of extra-time beat Chelsea 1-0 to secure an unlikely triumph for Klopp’s understrength side.
Liverpool were severely weakened by injuries and absences at the Africa Cup of Nations and Asian Cup when they arrived at Wembley.
But Klopp’s faith in a clutch of teenagers paid off as they helped turn the tide in Liverpool’s favour during extra-time before Van Dijk’s stooping header broke the deadlock.
“It was a win-win situation from the first day. I enjoyed each second of it,” Klopp said recently.
“The responsibility and love that grew over the years is a big part of the decision I made, so I’m absolutely fine and at peace with the decision.”
Liverpool’s Premier League title bid suffered a devastating blow in a 2-0 defeat at Merseyside rivals Everton, while Manchester United spared Erik ten Hag’s blushes with a 4-2 victory against lowly Sheffield United on Wednesday.
Jurgen Klopp’s side were beaten at Goodison Park for the first time in 14 years in a brutal setback to their hopes of catching leaders Arsenal.
Jarrad Branthwaite put Everton ahead in the 27th minute as the defender prodded the ball under Liverpool keeper Alisson Becker via the post after the Reds made a hash of clearing a free-kick.
With Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah once again struggling to convert chances to equalise, Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin delivered the knockout punch with a 58th-minute header.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – APRIL 24: Jordan Pickford of Everton celebrates after the team’s victory in the Premier League match between Everton FC and Liverpool FC at Goodison Park on April 24, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Second-placed Liverpool remain three points behind Arsenal, who have a vastly superior goal difference, with both sides having four games left.
Third-placed Manchester City, who visit Brighton on Saturday, will be crowned English champions for an unprecedented fourth successive season if they win their last six matches.
Liverpool have reportedly opened talks with Feyenoord’s Arne Slot to take over from Klopp, whose long goodbye looks set to end with a whimper.
It hardly the scenario Klopp envisioned when Liverpool beat Chelsea in the League Cup final in February.
Back then, his team were in contention for a quadruple that would have capped his final season in spectacular fashion.
Instead, the end of Klopp’s nine-year reign is becoming a damp squib, with Liverpool knocked out of the FA Cup quarter-finals by Manchester United and losing to Atalanta at the same stage of the Europa League as their title challenge evaporates.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – APRIL 24: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool reacts during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Liverpool FC at Goodison Park on April 24, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
MAN UTD’S WILD COMEBACK
At Old Trafford, Ten Hag’s side twice trailed to the league’s bottom club before Bruno Fernandes came to his beleaguered manager’s aid in the second half.
Jayden Bogle put the Blades ahead and although Harry Maguire equalised before half-time, Ben Brereton Diaz restored the visitors’ advantage soon after the interval.
Fernandes bailed out Ten Hag with a penalty equaliser before the Portugal midfielder’s long-range rocket put United in front with nine minutes left.
Rasmus Hojlund got United’s fourth to ensure they could finally enjoy a first league win in five games since beating Everton on March 9.
It was a temporary reprieve for Ten Hag, who hopes to salvage sixth-placed United’s dismal season by winning the FA Cup and finishing high enough to qualify for the Europa League.
Ten Hag endured stinging criticism after United stumbled into the FA Cup final with a spluttering penalty-shoot win after blowing a three-goal lead against second tier Coventry on Sunday.
The Blades are 10 points from safety with only four games left as they sink towards relegation just one year after promotion from the Championship.
Bruno saves United, Palace purr again | 01:07
MORE VAR DRAMA
Referee Stuart Attwell was embroiled in further controversy after contentiously disallowing a Wolves goal in Bournemouth’s 1-0 win at Molineux.
Attwell was already in the spotlight for his role as VAR in denying Nottingham Forest three penalties in Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Everton, which led Forest to insinuate bias as he supports relegation rivals Luton.
This time, he adjudged Matheus Cunha to have fouled Justin Kluivert in an off-the-ball incident in the build up to Hwang Hee-chan’s second-half equaliser, which looked to have cancelled out Antoine Semenyo’s opener.
It was not spotted in real time but Attwell opted to give the foul following advice from VAR Darren England to watch it again on the pitchside monitor.
Attwell remained in the thick of the action as he showed a straight red card to Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez for a foul on Matt Doherty.
PALACE FIRE AGAIN
Jean-Philippe Mateta scored for a fifth consecutive home match to fire Crystal Palace to a 2-0 win over Newcastle.
Mateta broke the deadlock at Selhurst Park with a smart 55th-minute finish before he added a second late on to end Newcastle’s four-match unbeaten run and damage their prospects of securing European football for next season.
Aston Villa struck twice late on through Ollie Watkins and Leon Bailey to inflict a huge blow on Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge with a 2-0 win at the Emirates on Sunday as Liverpool also stumbled in a shock 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace.
Manchester City were the big winners of the day as the defending champions remain two points clear at the top of the table with six games remaining.
Arsenal had taken 31 from a possible 33 Premier League points in 2024 prior to Villa’s visit, but former Gunners boss Unai Emery derailed his old club’s charge towards the title.
“No one would have predicted our run since January. It’s come to an end today. You need to reset,” said Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice.
“I still think there will be plenty more twists and turns to go. We’re in a three-horse title race with two unbelievable sides but, as you’ve seen with other results today, the Premier League can throw up anything.”
Leon Bailey of Aston Villa (C) celebrates scoring his team’s first goal.Source: Getty Images
Mikel Arteta’s men were left to rue not making the most of their first half superiority as ex-Arsenal goalkeeper Emi Martinez produced a brilliant stop to deny Leandro Trossard the opener.
However, Villa had shown their teeth as Watkins and Youri Tielemans struck the woodwork before snatching all three points.
Bailey ghosted in to meet Lucas Digne’s low cross six minutes from time. And Watkins then moved to within one of Erling Haaland’s 20 in the race for the Golden Boot with a sumptuous finish on a counter-attack from an Arsenal corner.
Villa’s victory puts them in pole position for a place in next season’s Champions League as they move three points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham.
“We are not being consistent in every match like I want, but today we were fantastic,” said Emery.
Arsenal’s English midfielder #41 Declan Rice reacts to going two goals behind during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium in London on April 14, 2024.Source: AFPKai Havertz of Arsenal was gutted.Source: Getty Images
– LIVERPOOL RUNNING OUT OF STEAM –
It was a similar story for Liverpool at Anfield as Jurgen Klopp’s men appear to have run out of steam at the business end of the campaign.
The Reds have now won just three of their last eight games in all competitions as a glorious goodbye for Klopp is at risk of fizzling out.
Liverpool had not lost in any competition at Anfield for 14 months prior to Atalanta’s 3-0 rout in the Europa League on Thursday and suffered their first Premier League defeat at home since October 2022.
Eberechi Eze gave Palace a deserved lead on 14 minutes and only an incredible goal line clearance by Andy Robertson denied Jean-Philippe Mateta a second.
Liverpool were much improved after the break but were guilty of missing a number of big chances.
Darwin Nunez fired straight at Dean Henderson, while Curtis Jones, Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota should all have salvaged at least a point.
“I am not dumb,” said Klopp on the ramifications for the title race. “The answer is pretty easy: if we play like we did in the first half, why should we win the league? If you play like in the second half, we can win football games.
“So if we can win football games then we will see how many we can win. We have to be around when the other guys now struggle, if they struggle.”
Liverpool’s Scottish defender #26 Andrew Robertson reacts to their defeat on the pitch after the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on April 14, 2024. Palace won the game 1-0.Source: AFP
However, the advantage has swung firmly into City’s favour as they look to become the first side to ever win four consecutive English top-flight titles.
West Ham’s hopes of a fourth consecutive season in European competition were hit by a 2-0 home defeat to Fulham.
Andreas Pereira scored both goals for the Cottagers, who move up to 12th.
Liverpool blinked in the Premier League title race in a dramatic 2-2 draw at Manchester United on Sunday to leave Arsenal still on top thanks to their superior goal difference.
The Gunners cruised to a 3-0 win at Brighton on Saturday, while Manchester City responded to conceding early at Crystal Palace to emerge 4-2 victors.
Here’s where each of the contenders stand and how their run-ins compare.
Fixtures to come: April 14: Aston Villa (H) April 20: Wolves (A) April 23: Chelsea (H) April 28: Tottenham (A) May 4: Bournemouth (H) May 11: Manchester United (A) April 19: Everton (H)
The Gunners are getting ever closer to a first title in 20 years. Mikel Arteta’s men have won 10 and drawn one, away to City, in their last 11 Premier League games and have also amassed what could be a crucial goal-difference lead across that run as well.
Just under a year ago, Arsenal’s title challenge was realistically ended by a humbling 3-0 home defeat to Brighton.
This weekend the roles were reversed as the visitors strolled to victory at the Amex in a further demonstration of their development over the past 12 months.
However, a run to the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in 14 years could prove a distraction and sap Arsenal’s energy.
They face Bayern Munich over the next two midweeks and will take on City or Real Madrid in the semi-finals should they progress.
Tough away games at north London rivals Tottenham and at Manchester United also lie ahead, but Arsenal have reason to believe. The destiny of the title back in their own hands.
Arsenal are leading the title race. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Liverpool – 71 points (+42)
Fixtures to come: April 14: Crystal Palace (H) April 20: Fulham (A) April 24: Everton (A) April 27: West Ham (A) May 5: Tottenham (H) May 11: Aston Villa (A) May 19: Wolves (H)
Liverpool suffered a case of deja vu at Old Trafford, just three weeks on from a 4-3 defeat there in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Once again, it was a case of missed opportunities and isolated moments of magic from United that may have denied their old rivals matching their record of 20 English top-flight titles.
Another tricky local derby awaits later this month away to Everton, while Liverpool face Champions League chasing Tottenham and Aston Villa in two of their final three games.
Liverpool face a tough run to finish the season. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Manchester City – 70 points (+40)
Fixtures to come: April 13: Luton (H) April 25: Brighton (A) April 28: Nottingham Forest (A) May 4: Wolves (H) May 11: Fulham (A) May 19: West Ham (H) TBC: Tottenham (A)
City remain ominously poised in their quest to become the first side to win four consecutive English top-flight titles.
Kevin De Bruyne was handed the night off for Wednesday’s 4-1 win over Aston Villa and showed the value of a rest as he scored twice and teed up Erling Haaland to end his goal drought at Palace.
The challenge of facing the mighty Real Madrid awaits Pep Guardiola’s men in the Champions League but they could barely have asked for a better fixture next weekend between those quarter-final ties than at home to Luton.
City appear to have the best run-in of the three contenders, but still need both their rivals to stumble down the final straight.
Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge has suffered another blow in a 2-1 defeat at Fulham, as Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham beat Bournemouth 3-1 to close in on their north London rivals.
The Gunners’ high hopes of a first league title in 20 years have been rocked by two damaging defeats in four days.
Mikel Arteta was looking for a response after losing 2-0 at home to West Ham on Thursday but was left angered by what he described as his side’s “worst performance of the season”.
Arsenal remain in fourth, two points behind leaders Liverpool and level on 40 points with Manchester City, but having played a game more than both their title rivals.
“If we play like today we will be nowhere near. Today was a really difficult day to swallow,” said Arteta on his side’s title aspirations.
“It’s a really sad day today because we didn’t deserve to win the game.”
Arsenal had started brightly at Craven Cottage as Bukayo Saka pounced to tap home his first goal in six games after Bernd Leno parried Gabriel Martinelli’s initial effort.
But the visitors failed to build on their early advantage and Fulham hit back to snap a three-game losing run in the Premier League without even scoring a goal.
Raul Jimenez was badly missed during his three-game ban for a red card at Newcastle and the Mexican kickstarted the Fulham fightback with his fourth goal in as many games.
Former Arsenal winger Willian sent Tom Cairney free down the left and his dangerous low cross was swept home by Jimenez at the back post.
Fulham were the better side in the second half and they got their reward just before the hour mark.
Arsenal failed to clear a corner and the ball broke kindly for Bobby De Cordova-Reid to smash home from close range.
Only a fine save from David Raya to deny Cairney and the crossbar from Andreas Pereira’s free-kick prevented Arsenal from suffering further punishment in the pouring rain in west London.
But enough damage may have been done to their title chances over the past week.
ANGE ‘SEEING PROGRESS’
Arteta’s men could even be outside the top four by the time they are next in league action in three weeks’ time as Tottenham closed to within a point of the Champions League places.
Ange Postecoglou’s men shrugged off a mounting injury crisis to inflict Bournemouth’s first defeat in eight games.
Fifth-placed Spurs are just three points off the top with the table tantalisingly poised heading into 2024.
“We’re three points off the top so if that is the difference between having a great season and where we are, I’ll take it,” said Postecoglou.
“When you’re trying to build something you will undoubtedly come up against some challenges. I am seeing progress.”
Ange claims consecutive manager awards! | 00:03
Pape Sarr’s precise finish into the bottom corner opened the scoring after just nine minutes.
But the Senegalese midfielder left the field in tears midway through the first half with an injury that puts his participation in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in doubt.
Bournemouth will feel they should have been level before the break as the in-form Dominic Solanke hit the bar amid a flurry of chances.
Instead, the visitors were picked off in the second half.
Son Heung-min is also set to depart for a few weeks to lead South Korea at the Asian Cup.
The Spurs captain signed off in style with a thumping finish from a narrow angle before Richarlison made it 3-0.
Alex Scott pulled a goal back six minutes from time, but it was too little, too late for the Cherries, who remain in 12th.kca/nr
