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The Wembley curse fades as Eriksen rises to the task.

Tottenham Hotspur scraped over the line at Wembley with a 1-0 victory over Bournemouth courtesy of a Christian Eriksen strike. 

The early exchanges where characterised by Spurs’ dominant levels of possession, with Bournemouth forced to sit back, soak up the pressure and attempt to utilise the counter-attacking opportunities presented to them. Josh King went close in the 22nd minute, though in all honesty Bournemouth were scarce of real attacking threat at Wembley.

Mauricio Pochettino’s half-time team talk will have played a part in increasing the urgency of Spurs’ play, and on the turn of the 47th minute Christian Eriksen hit a quality strike as Wembley erupted with relief. 1-0.

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Bournemouth; with one league win in the 2017/18 Premier League campaign, looked lacklustre at times, and the lack of attacking threat for the Cherries will be alarming for Howe, with Josh King; scorer of 16 PL goals last season, having scored only one goal in the current campaign.

For Pochettino, however, despite earning a valuable three points, he will be concerned at Spurs’ lack of clinical finishing though undoubtedly relieved to see the ‘Wembley curse’ dismissed as an urban myth of North London origins – this was an important win for Pochettino and his side, though three points do not gloss over the cracks that are evident.

On a day in which Manchester City won 7-2; and in doing so became the first side since Spurs in 1951 to score 5+ goals in three consecutive games, Pochettino will be aware the reliance on Harry Kane’s goals must diminish. Christian Eriksen once again rose to the rescue, though Dele Alli; the recipient of two consecutive Young PFA Player of the Year Awards, must do better – and Alli will be aware of this too.

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Tottenham march on as Bournemouth falter, and despite a valuable three points for Pochettino, if Spurs they are to challenge for the Premier League title against the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United et al, Mr Pochettino will be aware that Spurs simply must do better.

Written by Tom Newman.

Tom Newman

Founder and Editor at 90MAAT.

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