Spurs rocked as teenager Dean Huijsen seals shock win for Bournemouth
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Bournemouth's Dean Huijsen celebrates scoring what turned out to be the only goal of the match.
PHOTO: AFP
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LONDON – Ange Postecoglou has slammed his Tottenham Hotspur flops, as furious fans turned on the Australian manager and his spluttering side after Bournemouth condemned them to a shock 1-0 defeat on Dec 5.
Dean Huijsen netted in the first half of their English Premier League clash at the Vitality Stadium to leave Postecoglou’s troubled team with just one win in their last six games in all competitions.
The 19-year-old defender’s first goal in English football after his close-season move from Juventus exposed the flaws in Tottenham’s error-prone defence.
Lacklustre Spurs, now in 10th place, were fortunate not to lose by a bigger margin as Andoni Iraola’s side wasted several chances to increase their lead.
Tottenham’s sixth Premier League defeat this season was another setback for the under-fire Postecoglou after last weekend’s disappointing 1-1 draw at home to 10-man Fulham.
“It’s not good enough. We again fell into the trap of starting the game really well and then we conceded a really poor goal,” he said.
“It’s disappointing. We have this propensity to shoot ourselves in the foot when we should be controlling games. It’s something we’ve done consistently and we always pay the price for it.”
Having wasted a golden opportunity to qualify for the Champions League last season, Postecoglou is beginning to hear criticism of his overly-attacking tactics and this dismal display will add to the Australian’s doubters.
Tottenham are languishing in mid-table, six points adrift of the top four heading into the London derby on Dec 8 against second-placed Chelsea.
“The fans have every right to be disappointed. I got some pretty direct feedback with the way that we are going at the moment and that is rightly so,” Postecoglou added after he was jeered by Tottenham fans at the final whistle.
“I didn’t like what was being said because I’m a human being, but you’re going to cop it. All I can say is I’m determined to get it right and will keep fighting until we do.”
Ninth-placed Bournemouth have now beaten Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham at home this season.
Dominic Solanke scored 21 times in all competitions for Bournemouth last term before moving to Spurs in the close season.
The England striker wasted a good chance to enjoy a scoring return to his old club when he blazed over after muscling through on goal. The Cherries then took the lead from a set piece in the 17th minute.
Marcus Tavernier curled his corner towards the far post, and Huijsen easily escaped Tottenham’s woeful marking to head home.
Spurs were vulnerable at the back whenever Bournemouth attacked with intent, and Postecoglou finished the first half shaking his head in frustration and his dejected expression was unchanged after the break.
Tottenham Hotspur’s Dominic Solanke looking dejected after the Dec 5 match.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Fulham’s Alex Iwobi scoring their third goal against Brighton.
PHOTO: REUTERS
When asked again what was said by the Tottenham fans after the match, Postecoglou added: “Probably not for here mate. I’ve got no issue with it. I’ve been around long enough to know that if things don’t go well, you’ve got to understand the frustration.”
Postecoglou faces a crucial few weeks if the season is not to start unravelling.
After Chelsea, Spurs travel to Rangers for a crucial Europa League clash on Dec 12. Then, following a trip to bottom club Southampton, they face Manchester United in the League Cup quarter-finals and host Liverpool before Christmas.
Adding to his woes was an injury to Ben Davies, who was playing as centre-back in the absence of injured duo Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven.
“It looks like he’s done his hamstring. Him and Radu (Dragusin) have played every game. It’s the one position we can’t rotate. It’s a consequence of having the squad we have,” said Postecoglou. AFP, REUTERS
