AFC Bournemouth extended their unbeaten run at home in the Premier League to four games after holding Tottenham Hotspur to a goalless draw on Saturday afternoon.
Post-Match Reflections
Cherries manager Eddie Howe was delighted with a point, saying, “I’m very pleased, although there were no goals I thought that it was a very good game. Real high intensity, high quality, two teams really going at it.
Howe felt that the game was very entertaining and was "more proud than I was this time last week," pointing towards their 6-1 win against Hull, "because of the quality of the opposition we were up against.”
Bournemouth appeared to catch Spurs out early on with their high pressing tactic, which Howe said, “from my perspective that was our game plan" to be "disruptive and break up their rhythm, their normal way of playing”, Howe said.
“They have supremely talented players and we felt that our best option was to stop the ball getting into the final third with our work rate and intensity."
The Cherries struggled at home last season, only winning five over the course of the season, but now just nine games in the side already have three wins at Dean Court. This form at home has delighted Howe and the players are delivering exactly what the English manager wants to see.
“It’s easier said than done," said Howe, before adding "but the players have gone out and produced a brilliant performance from a physical perspective," which he said was "full of work rate, endeavour, desire, the key words for us, that’s why I’m so pleased with the boys today."
Wilshere's performance pleases Howe once again
Another positive for the Cherries in today’s game was that Jack Wilshere played 90 minutes of football for the first time in 771 days.
“I thought Jack was excellent today, first and foremost from a defensive perspective he supported Callum superbly in our pressing”, Howe said.
Howe felt that Wilshere "did a lot of unseen work off the ball and competed for the second ball," while also commenting that the on-loan Arsenal midfielder did "all the niggly things you have to do to try and gain control of the game."
"With the ball I felt he (Wilshere) had a greater influence the more the game went on and he made a number of telling passes."
Howe said that Wilshere stayed on for the full 90 minutes "because his performance warranted it and his fitness levels have improved to the degree where he was able to deliver that.”
All in all, both managers were satisfied with a point in what was a very competitive game. Both sides will look to kick on from this result, the Cherries will be looking to extend their home run when they face winless Sunderland at home on Saturday November 5th.