Tottenham Hotspur finished this year in very nice way with victory against very dangerous and in form Bournemouth side. Final result was 3:1. It wasn't easy like result might suggest. I predicted away club win, but I didn't have all information available. Tottenham held information very good then suddenly 2 hours before game published this "Rodrigo Bentancur is back in squad and will be in first eleven!" That was like doping injection for me. I love that guy and I felt like I already won this game because he is back after one month despite reports said he will be absent for 2-3 months. Midfield of Lo Celso, Bentancur and Sarr went on the pitch.
First goal in 9th minute was consequence of Bentancur's interception of pass from back, dead ball came close to Lo Celso and Bournemouth player, but our Argentinian did tackle and somehow sent it toward Pape Matar-Sarr who entered inside the box and fired very good shot with right foot inside away corner of goal for 1:0. Possesion was even, Son and Solanke had big chances, but didn't kick ball like they wanted and their attempts were saved. Weather conditions start to become worse and worse, heavy rain start to fall making pitch slippy and wet. Then in 30' minute Sarr remained on the ground in tears with injury which seems to be serious. He left the pitch in tears and it was hard to watch for all Tottenham and Senegal fans. Skipp came in. Since then until end of first half we lost a lot of balls on our half, Lo Celso slipped and fell once when he should run in counter attack, made one not clever foul for free kick, but Richarlison who ran like robot saved us after free kick with deflection of ball into corner. On the other hand, we defended like a unit, all players participated in it. Bournemouth did hit crossbar once in first half, they had also one player injured and substituted on half time. My man of the match Destiny Udogie saved us with amazing run and taking ball from Solanke's foot which this player couldn't comprehend and tried to kick him, but just hurt himself. There was one more situation in which Udogie saved us with his pace stopping player who already passed central defender. Young Italian and Johnson were on fire in first half and during entire match. Johnson probably got briefing about last performance and was eager to make things right. He's the one who passed ball to Son for his big chance, he ran on his wing and sent couple of excellent balls inside. That's what I like. I am glad young Welshman showed there is more than just pace there. There is also dribble and pass.
Second half started with big press of away side, they had some situations in front of goal but all were saved or blocked or went wide. Udogie stopped couple of attacks before Lo Celso took things in his hands/legs. Argentinian fully woke up, like Skipp. Bentancur went out for Hojbjerg around 60' minute and I was very scared at that point, but Dane was professional and played also well. Lo Celso founded Son, Son made great pass to Richarlison connecting him with goal, but Brazilian kicked badly and ball went wide of goal. That didn't upset me much because he played very well. I got tired when I just see how much he ran in this game. He showed he can also hold and build ball and that he is finally becoming player we'll like to see on pitch. He also linked up some actions in very good way.
Then we saw the most beautiful moment in the game. Richarlison tried to protect ball, Bournemouth player kicked it converting it to noone ball, Lo Celso was faster then opponent and made first time long ball in space with outer part of left foot. It was perfect ball for Son whose first touch was excellent. Korean made advantage against opponent stormed inside penalty box and fired up ball with left foot in away corner for 2:0. "That was the best pass I've seen in this season" told commentator.
Above is moment of pass, bellow is how ball ended inside the net.
That performance of Lo Celso in second half was on fire. He and Udogie should share man of the match award. There was big chance for Spurs after Brenan Johnson found Skipp on right wing and Olie ran like natural winger and did great low cross, Son did heel despite he was falling, ball ended in Richarlison feet, but his attempt was saved.
In 79. minute this game has been decided. Emerson Royal made ball in space for Johnson, Welshman stormed on right wing, made perfect cross toward Richarlison and Brazilian scored it from close range for 3:0 and game over. Royal ball in space toward Johnson above all was excellent just like cross.
Ange then brought on Gil, Dier and Veliz. We conceded goal in 30 seconds. It was nice action by away side finished by Tottenham target from last transfer window Alex Scott. It was very good finish. We are lucky he didn't play form beginning.
Until the end we saw how Gil hit crossbar from like 1m in front of empty goal. It was incredible miss. Bad thing is fact that after action continues Veliz received some kick and lay on the ground and couldn't walk after and end up game on stretchers. What a bad luck. I couldn't believe. We saw one more horror scene which is Udogie on the ground holding his leg. I thought that's it he's also out for 3 months we've been done, but fortunately young Italian continued to play. We saw also brawl between benches and Lo Celso and Ange receiving yellow cards like one man from Bournemouth. What did you tell each other ? Journalists asked Ange replied "We congratulated each other New Year mate." LoL Alex Scott scored one more goal for visitors but it was disallowed for very small offside.
Referee of this game was Simon Hooper. I like him because he is using cards right which is real refreshment in England. Every time I thought it should be card he showed it. He had good game too. I think every decision he made on the pitch was right. I didn't get upset in any moment.
It's nice way to finish this year. Arsenal lost in Fulham and we are just one point behind them now. They are winning title and we are midtable do you remember that nonsense ? I want to congratulate to Fulham and coach Marco Silva on that 2:1 win too. Of course salute to Ange and Tottenham for this win too.
I really hope we will sign Radu Dragusin from Genoa and depart Eric Dier in the beginning of next week to cover gaps in defense. COYS!
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