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Full-time: Tottenham 4-0 Bournemouth

  • Irresistible Tottenham cut Chelsea's title advantage to four points with a second straight 4-0 triumph at White Hart Lane
  • Mousa Dembele rifles home his first goal since January 2016 to give hosts an early lead
  • Heung-Min capitalises on brilliant Harry Kane flick to quickly double advantage after Jack Wilshere loses possession in midfield
  • Kane, making his first start for nearly five weeks, turns Simon Francis before slotting home a third just two minutes after the interval
  • England striker becomes the first Tottenham player since Jimmy Greaves to notch 20+ league goals in three consecutive seasons
  • Alan Shearer, Thierry Henry and Ruud van Nistelrooy are the only other players to achieve that feat in the Premier League era
  • Substitute Vincent Janssen wraps up emphatic victory in stoppage time with his first league goal from open play
  • Arsenal loanee Wilshere limps off in the second half with another injury
  • Tottenham, the Premier League's most dominant team on their own patch, win a 12th successive top-flight home game within a single season for the first time in club history and extend their run of league victories to seven for the first time since 1967

That is all for this particular live blog, but stay tuned for post-match reaction. We will also be back tomorrow to bring you live coverage of West Brom vs Liverpool and that aforementioned clash between Manchester United and Chelsea from Old Trafford.

Until then, goodbye.

And so ends one of the most one-sided Premier League contests you are ever likely to see.

Tottenham chalk up a seventh successive top-flight win, extend their formidable home record and trim Chelsea's title advantage to four points ahead of the leaders' Sunday afternoon trip to Manchester United. The top two come face-to-face next weekend in an eagerly anticipated FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.

Utterly outclassed and completely overmatched, Bournemouth, who host stricken Middlesbrough next, remain 15th and seven points clear of the bottom three ahead of today's 3pm kick-offs. They will drop a place if Crystal Palace earn a point against Leicester City at Selhurst Park.

Full-time

Tottenham 4-0 Bournemouth

Bournemouth's humiliation is complete. After a short corner, Janssen, shooting from close range, gets two bites at the cherry to score his first Premier League goal from open play.

Goal: Tottenham 4-0 Bournemouth (Vincent Janssen)

Son scampers to the byline and tries to find Janssen with a low ball that is blocked behind for a corner.

King's cross towards the front post is turned away by Alderweireld and Janssen gets back to do his bit.

Three minutes of added time for Bournemouth to endure. They have not been at the races today in any department.

Sissoko looks to tee up Eriksen with a cutback, but the latter's speculative shot is emphatically blocked.

That proves to be the former Ajax playmaker's last contribution. Janssen becomes Pochettino's final substitution.

Alli follows Kane to the bench as Pochettino wisely manages the workload of his key players.

Sissoko comes on.

Son gets in behind Daniels and shoots narrowly wide of the front post under pressure from the defender.

Daniels then perfectly sums up Bournemouth's wretched afternoon with a woeful effort that goes out for a throw-in on the far side.

With victory long since assured, Pochettino lets Kane soak up the adulation from the stands.

Wanyama, now recovered from a back injury, is on for the final 10+ minutes.

An attempt at either end as Davies has the freedom of the Lane to unleash a left-footed effort that is saved by Boruc. King then blasts into row z before Howe withdraws Afobe in favour of Lys Mousset.

Son fires beyond the far post but his blushes are spared by the offside flag.

At the other end, Lloris makes his first save after 74 minutes. The Frenchman comfortable holds an ambitious long-range drive from Charlie Daniels.

"We've had a shot" cheer the Bournemouth fans.

That's one way to make an impact. Fraser picks up the first yellow card of the afternoon for a poor challenge on Davies.

Howe's second substitution sees Fraser replace Stanislas. Can he provide any sort of a spark for Bournemouth? Lord knows they need it.

Dier's volley is deflected over and Boruc gets down low to deny Eriksen.

A very brief sight of goal for Bournemouth, but Stanislas' shot is blocked by Jan Vertonghen.

Good - albeit slightly desperate - defending from Cook to see off both Alli and Kane.

A ball down the line from Stanislas intended for King is comfortably swept up by Alderweireld.

No chances for the Norwegian to extend his scoring run so far today. He has been extremely isolated.

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Certain Tottenham fans display a real lack of decorum as Wilshere limps off to be replaced by Lewis Cook.

The 20-year-old, a £10m summer arrival from Leeds, is making just his second Premier League appearance.

Jack Wilshere

Suicidal from Bournemouth amid yet more relentless Spurs pressure. Cook is caught on the ball by Kane, but Alli is unable to provide the finish at the front post.

Boruc twice denies Kane after a low pass from Eriksen and a driving run from Son.

To the delight of the home crowd, Wilshere looks to have hurt himself while trying to block that latter effort.

He's in esteemed company...

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There's your answer. Just two minutes after the break, Kane outwits Francis with a brilliant turn before lashing home his 20th Premier League goal of the season.

He's back, folks.

Harry Kane

Goal: Tottenham 3-0 Bournemouth (Harry Kane)

Back underway at White Hart Lane. Will Tottenham pile on more misery, or can Bournemouth stem the tide?

Complete and utter domination from relentless Spurs, who are cruising towards a 12th consecutive home win and their seventh league victory on the spin.

Bournemouth have been mere passengers throughout, offering nothing going forward, marking sloppily and seemingly unwilling to step up and press for fear of further punishment.

Chelsea remain overwhelming title favourites, of course, but cannot afford any late slip-ups with Tottenham in this kind of imperious form. Expect further goals after the interval.

Half-time

Tottenham 2-0 Bournemouth

Kane looks to be clean through, but is held up and eventually dispossessed by a firm challenge in the box. No penalty.

Smith hobbles back on but still looks extremely uncomfortable. It would not be a surprise to see him withdrawn at half-time.

Two minutes of added time signalled by the fourth official. Bournemouth badly need that whistle.

Smith looks to be in some discomfort and requires medical attention after landing awkwardly following an aerial duel with Alli. He might not be able to continue.

Could we see Mings introduced before the break? He's currently warming up on the touchline.

Eriksen toys with Stanislas before pulling the ball back for Son, whose low drive is straight down the throat of Boruc.

Eriksen thrashes an an effort over the top after fine build-up play involving Kane, Ben Davies and Son.

So nearly 3-0. Bournemouth are all at sea with five minutes still to play until half-time.

Bournemouth, focused solely on keeping their shape, allow Spurs far too much time and space to pick out a pass. Kane guides Alderweireld's ball into the path of Eriksen, whose half-volley is pushed wide by Boruc.

Pochettino can be heard bellowing instructions from the touchline. He wants more.

Cook has to be alert to stop Kane from racing onto another cute low pass. Tottenham are not content with this two-goal lead.

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He has now scored 19 goals across all competitions so far this season...

Stanislas looks to be Bournemouth's chief attacking threat this afternoon. He whips a delightful cross into the corridor of uncertainty, but Afobe is unable to get there in time.

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Stanislas forces Walker into conceding Bournemouth's first corner of the day. Cook heads the subsequent delivery well over.

Another sublime start from Tottenham. Wilshere's attempted pass is blocked by Eric Dier and Kane releases Son with a sumptuous flick.

The South Korean international beats Cook for pace and picks out the bottom left hand corner.

20 minutes on the clock and this game already looks beyond Bournemouth. Spurs are irresistible at the moment.

Heung-Min Son

Goal: Tottenham 2-0 Bournemouth (Heung-Min Son)

Denied by Boruc a few minutes ago, Dembele quickly recovers to score his first league goal since January 2016.

After Francis mistakenly allows the ball to roll out of play for what he thought would be a goal kick, Eriksen's corner finds the former Fulham favourite in plenty of space.

He has all the time in the world to take a touch with his right foot before rifling a low effort through the legs of Marc Pugh and into the back of the net.

Mousa Dembele

Goal: Tottenham 1-0 Bournemouth (Mousa Dembele)

Tottenham academy graduate Smith bundles over Eriksen and the Dane's poor free-kick is headed clear by King.

Kane almost catches Simon Francis in possession. Tottenham then probe patiently for an opening before Walker tees up Mousa Dembele for a vicious low strike that is beaten away by Boruc.

For all of his supreme ability, the Belgian midfielder is not a regular goalscorer.

Bournemouth have struggled to string three passes together during this opening few minutes. Some strong hold-up play from King leads to a rare foray forward, although Alderweireld clears Wilshere's cross.

Smith scolds the referee after an apparent foul from Son that is not given.

A flurry of early corners for Spurs after a Kane volley is deflected over the crossbar by Steve Cook. Toby Alderweireld's long ball forward was not properly dealt with.

Son flicks into the side netting and Bournemouth clear behind before another fizzed low cross from Christian Eriksen finds Kane. Artur Boruc makes a fine close-range save as the offside flag is raised.

Plenty of early pressure from Tottenham, but the visitors survive.

Something of a subdued start as Alli looks to find Kane and Heung-Min Son sees a left-wing cross blocked by Stanislas.

Tottenham dominating possession with Bournemouth getting plenty of bodies behind the ball.

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Referee Michael Oliver gets proceedings underway.

Having recently earned points at both Old Trafford and Anfield, can Bournemouth become only the third Premier League team to avoid defeat at White Hart Lane this season?

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Dele Alli was announced as a contender for the PFA Young Player of the Year award earlier this week, although his absence from the shortlist for the main prize was not well received by Spurs fans.

Pochettino concurred that the influential 21-year-old deserved consideration alongside Kane, Romelu Lukaku, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Alexis Sanchez, Eden Hazard and N'Golo Kante after another terrific campaign in which he has scored 19 goals and provided 10 assists in 42 appearances across all competitions to date...

I think maybe, yes. Maybe agree with you. I think yes. Alli is giving a great performance every week in every game. He has improved a lot from last season, I think he is a better player, showing better stats and in my opinion he deserves it.

Always the people want to see in the second season if he can confirm all he showed last season and he not only confirmed that but improved all the aspects of his game. That means he is clever, intelligent, has the potential to improve and learn and today he has shown he is one of the best players in the Premier League.

Twitter/@OptaJoe

These two sides have only met on four previous occasions, with Tottenham winning two and one ending in a draw.

You have to go all the way back to February 1957 for the last time that Bournemouth, then competing in Division Three and still known as Bournemouth and Boscombe Athletic, claimed bragging rights over today's opponents.

Having already eliminated Burton Albion, Swindon Town, Accrington Stanley and Wolverhampton Wanderers, Freddie Cox's side continued their amazing FA Cup run with a shock 3-1 win secured thanks to goals from Ollie Norris, Stan Newsham and Nelson Stiffle.

The giant-killers were eventually stopped by Manchester United in the quarter-finals.

Howe can also be forgiven for cursing Kane's return. The England striker has scored five of Tottenham's eight league goals against Bournemouth to date, including a hat-trick in a 5-1 rout in October 2015. He also struck two early efforts in a routine 3-0 victory at the Lane last March.

He missed the frantic and tempestuous goalless draw at Dean Court in October, a match notable as being the last time that Lamela appeared in a league game before being plagued by a mysterious hip injury. Both teams hit the woodwork that day and former Arsenal striker Benik Afobe spurned a late chance to hand the Cherries all three points.

Moussa Sissoko was also retrospectively charged with violent conduct after appearing to catch Harry Arter with an elbow. It was also the first time that the injury-plagued Wilshere had completed 90 minutes of competitive football since September 2014.

A brief look at those stats tells you just what a tall order it will be for Bournemouth to leave north London with a positive result this afternoon.

In addition to possessing the best home record and stingiest defence, Spurs have also earned five more points than any other Premier League team in 2017.

By contrast, the visitors have shipped 59 goals - only relegation battlers Hull and Swansea have conceded more. They have also let in three or more in 11 top-flight games.

Tottenham boast the most miserly rearguard in the Premier League with only 22 goals conceded in 31 outings so far in 2016-17, although their defensive resolve may well be tested today by Josh King.

The Norwegian striker has scored 10 times in his last 11 league appearances. As per Opta, that impressive run includes eight strikes against teams currently in the top 10.

Josh King
Reuters

Howe's only alteration from that 3-1 home defeat by Chelsea sees Stanislas, absent since a 2-0 home defeat by Crystal Palace in late January, given the nod ahead of Ryan Fraser.

The pacy Scot drops to the bench, where he is joined by Mings. Brad Smith and Jordon Ibe are not involved. As expected, Gosling does not feature.

Arsenal loanee Jack Wilshere can expect a frosty reception from the home supporters.

Pochettino makes two changes to the side that bullied Watford, with the much-maligned Vincent Janssen making way for Kane and Kyle Walker replacing Kieran Trippier at right-back.

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Wanyama is named as a substitute, while Pau Lopez continues as Hugo Lloris' deputy in the continued absence of Vorm. Georges-Kevin Nkoudou drops out of the matchday squad altogether.

Twitter/@afcbournemouth
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The official lineups have now been released. Stay tuned...

As for Bournemouth, Tyrone Mings is now free to play once more after serving the entirety of a five-match violent conduct suspension handed down following his ugly altercation with Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic in early March.

"He's been frustrated because he's fit and he's had a long-term injury to contend with previously," Eddie Howe said earlier this week. "It can seem like a long time five games so we're delighted to have him back."

Tyrone Mings

However, midfielder Dan Gosling will likely miss out again after suffering a setback in his rehabilitation from a knee problem sustained in a goalless south coast derby draw at Southampton.

Junior Stanislas should return to the squad after a groin strain, although Andrew Surman could miss the rest of the campaign due to a medial knee ligament injury.

Long-term absentees Callum Wilson, Adam Federici and Rhoys Wiggins all remain sidelined.

After coming on to play the last half an hour against Watford, Harry Kane is expected to start his first game for nearly five weeks today after recovering from ankle ligament damage.

Victor Wanyama also returns to contention following a back injury sustained during a 2-0 victory at Burnley at the beginning of the month, while the fitness of number two goalkeeper Michel Vorm remains in questions due to knee swelling.

Harry Kane
Reuters

Danny Rose is set to begin working outdoors next week, although Pochettino is doubtful that he will be ready in time for next weekend's FA Cup semi-final clash with Chelsea at Wembley. The left-back has not played at all since injuring his knee in a goalless draw at Sunderland on 31 January.

Cameron Carter-Vickers sustained an issue during a United States Under-20 training camp this week, while Harry Winks (ankle) and Erik Lamela (hip) have been lost for the remainder of the season.

"I think we're playing and fighting for bigger things."

That was Mauricio Pochettino's response during his pre-match press conference on Thursday when asked about the possibility of finishing above Arsenal in the Premier League and ending the slightly cringeworthy St Totteringham's Day tradition for the first time since 1995.

While many may have construed that as a cheap dig at the Gunners' expense, it is also absolutely correct. With Arsene Wenger's side 14 points adrift in sixth and facing a sizable uphill battle just to continue their run of successive top-four finishes, Tottenham have, for some time now, had their eyes firmly fixed on another London rival.

The prospect of a Chelsea collapse now seems very unlikely, but, until their fifth title success is mathematically confirmed, in-form Spurs are nevertheless primed to take advantage of any slight stumble that occurs between now and then.

White Hart Lane
Reuters

With the leaders not in action until a potentially difficult clash at Old Trafford tomorrow afternoon, Tottenham, given Saturday lunchtime billing for the second weekend in succession following a 4-0 drubbing of Watford last time out, can cut the gap to four points with victory against a Bournemouth side who arrested their alarming slide towards relegation last month with back-to-back victories and recently took a point off Liverpool before producing a spirited display against Chelsea.

Should they dispatch of the Cherries as expected, it would be the first time in history that they have won 12 consecutive top-flight home games within a single season. The last time they won seven league matches on the spin was all the way back in 1967.