Harry Kane marked his return to Tottenham Hotspur's starting lineup with a goal in their 4-0 win over Bournemouth at White Hart Lane.
The Lilywhites were on their way 16 minutes in thanks to a first goal of the season for Mousa Dembele, before Son Heung-min added a second soon after.
Kane made certain of the win three minutes into the second half with goal number 20 of the league campaign, before Vincent Janssen added a fourth from the bench to help move his side to within four points of leaders Chelsea at the top.
Relive how the 90 minutes of action unfolded with Sports Mole's live text coverage below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Premier League meeting between Tottenham Hotspur and Bournemouth at White Hart Lane. The Lilywhites are going in search of a 12th top-flight home win on the bounce this afternoon, as they attempt to up the pressure on league leaders Chelsea by reducing the gap to just four points at the summit.
At the opposite end of the table there is a chance for the Cherries to all but make certain of another season of top-flight football on the South Coast, with victory today enough to take them 10 points clear of the drop zone ahead of this afternoon's busy schedule. Visiting boss Eddie Howe will no doubt settle for just the point if offered to him right now, though, as Spurs are currently the division's most in-form side.
TEAM NEWS!
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR XI: Lloris, Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies, Dier, Dembele, Son, Eriksen, Alli, Kane
BOURNEMOUTH XI: Boruc, Smith, Francis, Cook, Daniels, Stanislas, Arter, Wilshere, Pugh, King, Afobe
Starting with a look at the home team, boss Mauricio Pochettino has made two changes to the side that comfortably say off Watford here in the early kickoff last Saturday. The big news is that leading scorer Harry Kane is back in the starting lineup for the first time in just over a month, having been eased back into action last time out with an appearance from the bench. Spurs found the net on a consistent basis without him, but there is no denying that he is a hugely important player for the hosts.
There is also a return at full-back for Kyle Walker, who takes over from Kieran Trippier. The latter can consider himself unfortunate to drop out of the XI following some impressive displays of late, but that only goes to highlight just how strong this Spurs squad is right now. The other player to make way from the 4-0 thrashing of Watford is Vincent Janssen, who is less fortunate to miss out after failing to impress when given the chance to do so in Kane's absence.
Dele Alli starts just off Kane in the number 10 position, looking to add to a record that has seen him directly involved in 14 goals in his last 13 league outings since the turn of the year. Kane, making his first start since the Millwall cup game in early March, has netted five of Tottenham's previous eight league goals against today's opponents, meanwhile, and there are also starts for Son Heung-min and Christian Eriksen in that attacking lineup.
Switching attention to the visitors now, Howe has brought fit-again midfielder Junior Stanislas into the side in place of Ryan Fraser in his only change from the 3-1 defeat to Chelsea seven days ago. Stanislas has been absent with a groin strain, last featuring for the Cherries back in January when they took on Crystal Palace at the Vitality Stadium. Fraser does not appear to be carrying an injury, as he drops down to the bench.
There is no place in the starting lineup for Tyrone Mings, who is back in the squad after a five-match suspension but unable to force his way back in. Elsewhere, Steve Cook maintains his record of starting each of Bournemouth's league games in 2016-17 and Marc Pugh stays in the side for league outing number 249 in Cherries colours. Charlie Daniels, previously on Tottenham's books before moving on to Leyton Orient, will start at left-back today.
Former Arsenal man Benik Afobe will lead the attack for the visitors this afternoon, while just off him is arguably the Cherries star performer of recent weeks - Joshua King. The Norway international has 10 goals in his last 11 league outings, including eight against top-10 opposition - more than any other player outside of the top half. There is no place for midfielder Dan Gosling once again, though, due to a troublesome knee problem.
BENCH WATCH!
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUBS: Lopez, Trippier, Wimmer, Wanyama, Onomah, Sissoko, Janssen
BOURNEMOUTH SUBS: Allsop, Mings, Cargill, Cook, Fraser, Gradel, Mousset
Vincent Wanyama is back involved for Spurs for this lunchtime kickoff after missing out last weekend due to an injury sustained during the warm-up. The Kenyan will join Janssen and Trippier on the bench, both of whom drop out of the starting lineup following the 4-0 triumph over Watford. In terms of the visitors, they have a few attacking options to call upon, including winger Max Gradel who looks likely to be close to the exit if recent reports are to be believed.
Harry Kane and Dele Alli, nominated for the PFA Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year awards respectively this week, get the chance to rekindle their impressive attacking partnership this afternoon. Kane has been absent from the starting lineup for a month but is back involved from the off today - one of two changes made by Mauricio Pochettino. Visiting boss Eddie Howe makes just the one alteration, bringing in Junior Stanislas for Ryan Fraser in midfield.
Tottenham start matchweek 33 sitting second in the table, seven points adrift of leaders Chelsea. It looked as though the Blues would run away with it at one point but, while that could still be the case, Spurs are trying their best to inject some excitement into proceedings. It certainly helps that the fixture list has fallen kindly, as they once again get the chance to put some pressure on their rivals by kicking off in the earliest possible slot. Seven points could become four by the time Chelsea face Man United.
Spurs have won six league games in a row and 13 of their last 16 to again find themselves sitting second heading into the final run-in. The message from manager Pochettino is that lessons have been learned from 12 months ago, when also sitting in a lofty position only to badly fade away in the closing weeks, somehow even dropping below North London rivals Arsenal it what had previously been described as a two-horse race for the title. Time will tell if that is the case.
You feel that, with a little over a month of the season to go, finishing above Arsenal is the consolation prize for Tottenham. Pochettino said as much this week, admitting that his side have bigger concerns than merely ending their 22-year wait to finish as top dogs in this part of the capital. There have certainly been little signs of the Lilywhites falling off the rails, with the closest thing to a blip witnessed in recent months their run of one win in four matches.
Even then, Spurs took on Man City and Liverpool away from home - two of the sides they have managed to stay above, which will likely remain the case now as we enter the final stretch. During their most recent winning streak, stretching back six games ahead of today's visit of Bournemouth, the Lilywhites have scored 18 goals and conceded just four. They have shown that they can overcome all types of opponents, whether those around them in the table or teams that are at the opposite end of the spectrum.
For all Tottenham's efforts of late, it is looking as though they may well run out of time to usurp Chelsea at the top. The Blues, in fairness to them, have been more consistent over the duration of the season and have managed to bounce back from their rare setbacks. Spurs have taken more points since the turn of the year but, a draw with Burnley and that shock loss at home to Crystal Palace aside, Antonio Conte has also managed to just about brush aside all comers.
Chelsea still have to take on Man United and Everton away from home, though, so Tottenham know that by closing the gap to four points today the pressure will only increase on the current pacesetters. Spurs, on the other hand, are still to face four teams in the lower reaches of the division, including Bournemouth at White Hart Lane today, but there is also the small matter of meetings with Arsenal and United in the space of a fortnight just around the corner.
Pochettino will not give up hope of winning the title while it is mathematically possible, leaning lessons from last season when taking their foot off the gas after collapsing at Stamford Bridge to let Arsenal overtake them into second. With the FA Cup semi-finals on the horizon, however, it is important that the former Espanyol boss does not burn out his men for this gruelling final push. A domestic double remains on the cards, yet it could still all end in disappointment for Pochettino & Co.
DID YOU KNOW? Tottenham Hotspur are going in search of a seventh consecutive top-flight win this afternoon for the first time since March to May 1967. The Lilywhites could also make it 12 home wins on the spin for the first time in the league, with their current run of form at White Hart Lane standing at 14-straight victories in all competitions since a draw with Leicester City here in October. How they would love to stay here for another year!
Tottenham Hotspur are very much the in-form team in the Premier League at the moment, collecting more 32 points so far this calendar year - five more than next-best Chelsea. At the back they look solid, conceding just 22 times overall, while in attack they are also impressive after scoring 18 times in their current six-match winning run.
Bournemouth find themselves occupying 15th place in the Premier League ahead of this latest tough away fixture, sitting seven points clear of the drop - something boss Howe would no doubt have taken a month or so back when his side were sliding closer and closer to the bottom three. The Cherries recently put together a five-match unbeaten run, culminating in a 2-2 draw away to Liverpool - their first-ever point at Anfield - but did fall to a 3-1 reverse to Chelsea seven days ago.
Prior to that recent impressive run, Bournemouth had gone eight games without a victory and were tipped by many to drop back into the Championship after just two seasons at this level. Credit to Howe for stopping the slide, with their upturn in fortunes starting at Old Trafford when registering a 1-1 draw in a feisty affair. They are now essentially just a couple of wins from guaranteeing their place in the top division for another year.
It has been a tough run for Howe's men, seeing them take on Liverpool and Man United away from home, Chelsea at home last weekend and now this trip to the most difficult ground to visit in the country. The good news for the Cherries is that they have a nice run of games, on paper at least, to see things through over the remaining month or so, meaning that a point from today's game will very much be a big bonus.
Bournemouth have failed to win any of their last six away games, although as mentioned a little earlier they have drawn at both Old Trafford and Anfield during that daunting run. The Cherries have also taken points off Arsenal this season, even if that result does look less impressive having led 3-0 at one stage, and the display against Chelsea last weekend also offers a little hope of taking something today from arguably an even tougher opponent on recent form.
Only strugglers Swansea City have conceded more goals than the Cherries' 59 this season, shipping three or more in 11 Premier League games. Howe's men have also lost 20 points from winning positions this season, including in that aforementioned home clash with Arsenal earlier this year, which is a joint-high along with West Ham United. Mixed stats on the whole, but the South Coast side are on course to achieving their main target of survival.
With kickoff at White Hart Lane now less than 10 minutes away, let us turn attention to some pre-match thoughts from both camps.
Mauricio Pochettino: "I think we're playing and fighting for bigger things [than finishing above Arsenal]. If we look at the bigger picture it's to try to reduce the gap with Chelsea. I think today it's not important the gap we have with Arsenal."
Eddie Howe: "We'll need to match our performance from the home game earlier this year or even surpass it to get a result at White Hart Lane. Mauricio has done an outstanding job. I admire his style of play and the way he improves players."
Pochettino certainly talks a good game, and it is fair to say that his side have provided the results to back up his words. The Argentinian has put together one of the strongest groups on the continent, with "bigger things" on the agenda these days than simply finishing as top dogs in North London. Talk of a power shift is surely too early, what with this the first season the Lilywhites have claimed bragging rights over Arsenal in two decades, but it is a good way to start.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS! These two sides have met on just three previous occasions in league competition, all coming in the Premier League. Tottenham Hotspur won the first two encounters, followed by a goalless draw at the Vitality Stadium in October's reverse fixture this season. Two of the past three clashes have produced a goal in the opening minutes, while the Cherries' only victory over Spurs came in the 1957 FA Cup.
Both sets of players are now out on the field of play at White Hart Lane, a ground that home side Tottenham have won at 11 games in a row. A daunting task awaits the visiting Cherries, then, but they have claimed points from recent trips to Old Trafford and Anfield and head here on the back of a battling display against leaders Chelsea last weekend.
KICKOFF! We are up and running in this latest round of Premier League action! Tottenham Hotspur, sporting their traditional white home strip, aiming to reduce the deficit on Chelsea with three points against relegation battlers Bournemouth on home soil.
An assured start to the match from Spurs, who are just looking to find their rhythm in the opening stages here. Plenty of probing down the wide areas, as the visitors look to keep things as tight as possible through the middle.
A half-cleared high ball over the top is met by Kane, who blasts the ball towards target but sees his attempt blocked by Cook 15 yards out. A cross from the right is then turned into the side-netting by a visiting player.
Bournemouth having to seriously hold on here - and we have played just seven minutes! Another cross from the right is this time met by Kane, who forces a save out of Boruc from close range. Offside flag was up on the far side, regardless.
The Cherries need to calm themselves down a little and attempt to take the sting out of things. The only way they will achieve that is by putting together some passes, which they have so far been unable to do.
Spurs giving their opponents no chance to settle in the match, continually getting bodies high up the pitch. Wilshere looks to change that by carrying the ball forward, being greeted by a cacophony of boos from home fans in the process.
After an impressive start to the match, when winning three corners in quick succession to trouble their opponents, Tottenham have not done a great deal with the ball. No denying that they are the team in the ascendancy, though.
SAVE! Great play from Spurs, working the ball from the back and into attack. Kane picks up the ball in the hole and plays it out wide, before Dembele is spotted in some space 25 yards from goal. The midfielder takes on the shot and is denied down low by Boruc.
Smith shoves Eriksen off the ball after the Dane dropped his shoulder and charged towards the box. A good crossing position from the free kick, which ultimately comes to nothing. Tottenham still pressing for that opening goal.
GOAL! TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1-0 BOURNEMOUTH (MOUSA DEMBELE)
Denied by Boruc just five minutes or so ago, there was to be no stopping Mousa Dembele this time as he rockets home his first goal of the campaign. Eriksen's corner was flicked on by Alderweireld and Dembele was able to control the ball and fire home unmarked.
GOAL! TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2-0 BOURNEMOUTH (SON HEUNG-MIN)
Tottenham have built a reputation as being the deadliest team around this season, and this goal shows exactly why. Kane brilliantly played the ball through to Son, who raced clear and tucked through Boruc's legs to double the hosts' tally.
Spurs in a commanding position with a quarter of the game played, then, and you would not best against them adding another few to their tally. Finding it far easier to break the Cherries down compared to October's goalless affair.
CHANCE! Bournemouth's best spell so far, as a cross into the box towards King is helped behind by Walker. Cook gets on the end of the resultant corner, heading it over the bar from what was a decent opening for the visitors.
Much better from the relegation-threatened Cherries since going two down, as they finally start to get out of their own final third. The ball drops around inside the box after being helped on, but King cannot quite get on the end of it.
Stanislas with the best delivery of the ball you will see all weekend, putting his right-sided cross between defence and keeper. No Bournemouth player could get on the end of it, though, and they are made to wait for their route back into the game.
Not seen a great deal from Tottenham in an attacking sense over the past 10 minutes, but they step things up after an error from Boruc. A couple of crosses into the area just about dealt with by the visiting side.
Eriksen very nearly sliding the ball through for Kane, only for a last-ditch block to prevent him from doing so. Spurs definitely stepped off the gas since going two goals ahead, but they still look fairly comfortable.
Pochettino screaming at his players on the touchline to press the opposition. The Cherries certainly looking more settled now compared to the opening quarter of the game, though they have still yet to test Lloris.
Could Pochettino's attention turn towards next week's FA Cup semi-final as this one progresses? He would certainly love to rest a few key men, but a third is required before any changes will be considered at the break.
Three shots on target in the opening 39 minutes of the match, two of which found the back of the net. The other saw Boruc deny opening goalscorer Dembele, just a few moments before he did eventually blast home.
SAVE! Good awareness from Kane to pick out Eriksen, whose snapshot is pushed aside by Boruc for another corner. Close to a killer third for an in-form Spurs side, as they look to wrap up the win prior to the interval.
SHOT! Spurs have managed to move back through the gears all of a sudden, coming close to a third through Eriksen's belter from inside the area. Good play from Son to pick out his teammate, who maybe shot have been testing Boruc.
SAVE! A third chance in quick succession at the end of this dominant first-half showing from Tottenham. Eriksen this time returns the favour by picking out Son, but his shot down the middle is easily collected by Boruc.
Adam Smith is in a bit of bother at the end of this first half, clutching his ankle after landing awkwardly. Mings back in the squad today after five games out, remember, so a straightforward switch likely at the break.
HALF TIME: TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2-0 BOURNEMOUTH
Referee Michael Oliver blows for half time, bringing an end to an opening 45 minutes dominated by Tottenham Hotspur. Away side Bournemouth had a five-minute spell midway through when on top, but that aside it is fair to say that the Lilywhites are deserving of their two-goal lead at the break.
Spurs were on top right from the off, earning a succession of early corners to put their opponents under some considerable early pressure. From one attack Mousa Dembele was denied by a Artur Boruc stop down low, but a few minutes later the Belgian had better luck when rocketing home unmarked from a Christian Eriksen corner.
The Lilywhites had to wait less than three minutes for the second goal to follow, this time after a smart touch from returning striker Harry Kane to play Son Heung-min through, with the Korean tucking through the legs of Boruc. Bournemouth enjoyed a five-minute respite after the second goal, putting together their best spell and coming close to pulling one back through a Steve Cook header that ended narrowly over the bar.
As half time approached Tottenham stepped back into top gear, testing Boruc through Son and Eriksen efforts in quick succession, while the latter also fired over when picked out in a decent position inside the box. Plenty of work for the Cherries to do in the next 45 minutes, then, as they look to pick up an unlikely point.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUBS: Lopez, Trippier, Wimmer, Wanyama, Onomah, Sissoko, Janssen
BOURNEMOUTH SUBS: Allsop, Mings, Cargill, Cook, Fraser, Gradel, Mousset
RESTART! We are back under way in North London, where both sides remain unchanged from the first half. Surprised by that, because Bournemouth full-back Smith was in some real pain in the latter stages of the opening 45.
The message from Pochettino will no doubt be to get a killer third as quickly as possible. Tottenham look dominant at the moment but all it takes is one goal from the visitors and all of a sudden the nerves may begin to kick in.
GOAL! TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 3-0 BOURNEMOUTH (HARRY KANE)
Back in the starting lineup and now back among the goals for Tottenham! Kane brings up 20 league goals for the third year running, showing good footwork in the box and holding off his man to tuck into the bottom corner of the net.
That goal makes Kane just the fourth player in Premier League history to reach 20 goals in a season in three-successive years. The points are certainly in the bag for Tottenham now; just a case of seeing through these remaining 38 minutes.
CHANCE! Glorious chance for Kane to double his tally for the day, just moments after opening his account. The Englishman got on the end of Eriksen's reverse ball but failed to get the better of Boruc when one-on-one with the keeper.
SAVE! Bournemouth again give the ball away and Spurs come forward in numbers. Kane is played through, but after cutting inside his shot is handled well by Boruc. Wilshere has just picked up a slight knock.
BOURNEMOUTH SUB! Francis with a big block at the front post to prevent Alli from joining the scoring. Wilshere was unable to shake off his knock and has hobbled straight down the tunnel to be replaced by Lewis Cook.
All very straightforward from Tottenham, as another Kane shot is kept out in a fairly routine manner by Boruc. Pochettino must surely be thinking of making a couple of changes now that we have reached the hour mark.
Dier is finding himself in advanced areas, seemingly desperate to join the party by getting his name on the scoresheet. The midfielder does well to control the ball but can only blast high over the bar from the awkward attempt.
No real sign of Bournemouth finding a route back into the game, as they await their first attempt on target of the afternoon. Tottenham look good value to add a fourth goal to their tally in the remainder of the match.
Arter, who was superb in the reverse fixture between these two sides, produces a big block to prevent Spurs from getting in behind. Those Cherries players having to work incredibly hard at the back to keep their opponents out.
Pretty relentless stuff from the Lilywhites, who are looking to add to improve their goal difference further. They have not kept back-to-back clean sheets since February, incidentally, so another target to aim for there.
BOURNEMOUTH SUB! More than three-quarters of the game played and Junior Stanislas makes way for Ryan Fraser. The outgoing midfielder lasted a little longer than expected on his first outing since January.
SAVE! A loose ball falls to Son inside the area, and he does well to connect with it and force Boruc into another save. The shot count beginning to rack up for the hosts at the moment, but that fourth goal is eluding them.
YELLOW CARD! Ryan Fraser is shown the first yellow card of the afternoon, less than five minutes after being introduced from the bench. A lunging challenge from the substitute and rightly cautioned by Michael Oliver.
SAVE! A huge roar goes up around White Hart Lane... after Bournemouth register their first on-target attempt of the afternoon! Daniels was the player who took it on, sending the ball into a comfortable area for Lloris to collect.
SHOT! King, perhaps frustrated by the one-sided nature of the game, blasts high over the bar when he should have been picking out a teammate. At the other end, Davies tried his luck but was the latest to be denied by Boruc.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUB! Mousset is now on for the other Arsenal academy graduate, Benik Afobe. Spurs make a change of their own at long last, replacing star striker Kane with Wanyama for the remaining 10 minutes.
Spurs continuing to go through the motions, much like they have done for the best part of 30 minutes now. Probably done enough to warrant a fourth of the afternoon, with Boruc nearly caught out by a deflected cross at his front post.
Son picked out in a similar position to the one he found himself in when scoring a little earlier, but he can only pick out the side-netting this time. Around six minutes left to play at White Hart Lane in a game that has been over for a while.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUB! Moussa Sissoko replaces Dele Alli to further shore up the home side's midfield for these closing minutes. Prior to that, Daniels fluffed his lines with an attempt on his weaker right foot.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUB! Pochettino has the luxury of taking off Eriksen, who is replaced by and out-of-form Janssen - was he ever in form? Both he and Sissoko with a chance to prove a point late on here.
We are now into three minutes of added time. Spurs would have liked a fourth, which their performance has merited, but it does not look like happening. Bournemouth boss Howe will be delighted to hear that final whistle.
Still Spurs come forward, with Sissoko driving down the right-hand flank. Son gets in a decent position on the opposite side, but his attempted pull-back towards the penalty spot is cut out by Francis and a late corner is awarded.
GOAL! TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 4-0 BOURNEMOUTH (VINCENT JANSSEN)
Janssen could well seal cult-hero status at White Hart Lane. At the second attempt, the Dutchman blasts past Boruc after Bournemouth failed to defend the corner. A huge roar goes up and each of his teammates race over to celebrate.
FULL TIME: TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 4-0 BOURNEMOUTH
Referee Michael Oliver brings the one-sided contest to an end, with Tottenham Hotspur running out 4-0 winners in the end to make it seven league victories on the spin. It is also a club-record run of 12 wins in a row at White Hart Lane, seeing them once again close the gap on leaders Chelsea at the summit to just four points.
That concludes Sports Mole's live text coverage of events from North London. An on-the-whistle report can be found by clicking here, while updates from the afternoon's other top-flight matches are available here. Thanks for joining!
