0-1 v AFC Bournemouth - 5 December 2024 - Away

Defender Dean Huijsen scored the only goal as Bournemouth beat Tottenham to climb above them in the Premier League table.

The 19-year-old was left unmarked at the back post to head home Marcus Tavernier's inswinging corner on 17 minutes.

Huijsen's goal extended Spurs' poor record of dealing with set-pieces, and prompted manager Ange Postecoglou to shake his head ruefully on the touchline.

Postecoglou's side had started well, with Dominic Solanke prominent as he returned to the Vitality Stadium following his £65m summer move.

Solanke, who was greeted by a smattering of boos, had two of the first three shots for Spurs, but they lost their way after Huijsen's goal, and Tavernier and Evanilson had chances to extend Bournemouth's lead in the first half.

Spurs regrouped after the break and pushed for an equaliser by bringing on captain Son Heung-min for Pape Matar Sarr, which led to chances for James Maddison, Pedro Porro and Dejan Kulusevski.

But the north Londoners gave away more chances than they created in the closing stages, and Evanilson had a goal ruled out for offside.

Victory took Bournemouth up to ninth - a place above their opponents.

Spurs' problems were compounded when Ben Davies left the field with what appeared to be a hamstring problem, leaving Postecoglou with just one fit centre-back before Sunday's derby against Chelsea.

Bournemouth, too, have an injury issue to deal with, with manage Andoni Iraola saying after the game that defender Marcos Senesi would be out for a long time with a "massive injury in the quad".

Another setback for Tottenham will leave them open to familiar criticisms.

The fact they started the match well will be of little consolation to Postecoglou, who saw many of his players' heads drop after Huijsen's goal.

And it means many outsiders will focus on what is perceived to be an ongoing issue with Spurs' mentality.

Whatever is the cause, their players looked anxious at times, most notably when Destiny Udogie hit a crossfield ball straight out of play.

Postecoglou can point to his squad being ravaged by injuries. Defenders Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero, and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario would be certain starters were they fit, while Richarlison, Wilson Odobert and Mikey Moore are absent in attack.

But with just one win in six - albeit a 4-0 victory at Manchester City - and a poor set-piece record drawing scrutiny, it is clear there are problems to solve.

Andoni Iraola impressed by teenage match-winner Dean Huijsen Huijsen was making just his third start of the season, and already seems to be a fan favourite, with chants of 'Dean' echoing around the stadium even before he scored.

Solanke got the better of the Spain Under-21 defender in their first duel, but Huijsen recovered well to dominate his rival.

He first blocked Solanke's next shot, then outpaced a tired-looking England international at the end of the first half.

The teenager also cleared a cross from under the bar in a performance that underlined Bournemouth have made an astute purchase from Juventus for a fee that could reach just £15.3m.