Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino said that a point away at Bournemouth represented a missed opportunity. Spurs dominated the Premier League game, having most of the possession as well as 16 shots on goal, double that of their hosts.
If we want to be contenders, we need to win games like these.
Mauricio Pochettino
However, only four were on target and, with Harry Kane again missing through injury, they failed to break the deadlock, Erik Lamela going closest, his effort hitting the crossbar.
The result keeps Spurs unbeaten run to the league season going but, depending on the rest of the weekend’s results, could lead to them losing ground on the Premier League joint leaders before play, Manchester City and Arsenal.
After the game Pochettino spoke of his frustration at, as he saw it, dropping two points.
He said: “It was a very competitive game, they were ready to compete and it was tough. We managed the whole game but if you don’t score, it is difficult to win. We fought loads and it is one point more and a clean sheet.
“If we want to be contenders, we need to win games like these.
“We have a very busy schedule and it is a good point looking back on it. We are battling for the top and we missed an opportunity to be in that position.”
Spurs are battling on several fronts this season. They are in the Champions League and have made it through to the fourth round of the EFL Cup.
Spurs, who are 10/1 to win the trophy this season, play Liverpool to determine who reaches the quarter-final.
Liverpool, at Anfield, are priced at 4/7 to win the game with Spurs 5/1.
Pochettino’s team then return to Premier League action next Saturday with a home game against last season’s champions Leicester City.