Tottenham finished 2023 on a high with victory over an energetic Bournemouth in the Premier League at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Pape Sarr opened the scoring when Rodrigo Bentancur latched on to Neto’s casual pass out from the back and it broke for Sarr, who drilled it into the far corner.
Smarting from a 4-2 loss to Brighton in midweek, an injury-hit Spurs watched as Bournemouth enjoyed plenty of chances and looked likely to level.
But the visitors lacked a clinical edge in the final third and Son Heung-min doubled his side’s lead with a superb left-footed strike which went in off a post before Richarlison swept home to wrap up the points for Ange Postecoglou’s side.
Alex Scott steered home a consolation goal but the Cherries will likely wonder how they allowed the scoreline to get away from them and leave London empty-handed.
It marked a first defeat in eight games for Andoni Iraola’s side as Dominic Solanke’s three-match scoring streak came to an end.
Spurs remain fifth in the table – three points off top spot and one behind Arsenal in fourth