Spurs manager ‘Poste-no-clue’ in bust-up with fans after Bournemouth defeat

Credit: X / @mralexthfc

Ange Postecoglou was involved in an angry exchange with Tottenham Hotspur supporters after a 1-0 defeat at Bournemouth during which the travelling fans abused the manager and called him ‘Poste-no-clue’.

Postecoglou walked behind his players as they made their way across the pitch at the Vitality Stadium to applaud the visiting fans and appeared to be the target of boos as he turned to leave. The Australian then exchanged words with fans.

The head coach refused to elaborate on the nature of the exchange. And while he insisted the fans had the right to express their frustration after a defeats that leaves Tottenham in 10th position in the Premier League, he admitted the jeers had been painful.

“You know, they’re disappointed, and rightly so,” Postecoglou said. “And they gave me some direct feedback, which I guess was taken on board.”

The head coach added: “Look, I’ve got no issue with it. I said I didn’t like what was being said because I’m a human being, but you know, you’ve got to cop it. I’ve been around long enough to know that things don’t go well, that you’ve got to understand the frustration, the disappointment, and they’re rightly disappointed tonight, because, again, we’ve let a game of football get away from us but that’s OK. I’m OK with all that.”

Set-piece woes again

For the second time in three games, Spurs were undone by a set piece, with Dean Huijsen heading the only goal of the game from a corner to secure a victory that lifted Bournemouth above their opponents in the table.

Huijsen, who became Bournemouth’s youngest ever Premier League goalscorer at 19 years and 235 days, took advantage of poor marking to provide the decisive moment of the game. Postecoglou’s side were unable to conjure a response and ended the game battling to prevent the home side doubling their lead.

Postecoglou’s side arrived at the Vitality Stadium having won just one of their past five games, a run that summed up their difficulties this season. Disappointing back to back defeats by Galatasaray and Ipswich Town were followed by the stunning 4-0 victory at Manchester City. The optimism generated by that eye-catching result, however, was then diluted by the failure to beat Roma and Fulham at home despite being in a winning position on both occasions.

Their hopes of returning to winning ways were lifted by the return of Dominic Solanke to face his former club after missing Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Fulham. The forward, who joined Spurs from Bournemouth for a club record fee of up to £65 million in the summer, was restored to the side in place of Son Heung-min, who dropped to the bench, while Dejan Kulusevski and Archie Gray replaced Timo Werner and Pedro Porro.

Bounemouth went into the game lifted by the weekend win at Wolverhampton Wanderers, which had followed back to back defeats by Brentford and Brighton. The hosts were strengthened by the return of Antoine Semenyo from suspension.

Solanke quickly made an impression as Spurs made a positive start to the game. Dejan Kulusevski forced the first save of the match when Kepa Arrizabalaga easily dealt with his effort from the edge of penalty area. Solanke had a better opportunity to break the deadlock when he held off Huijsen only to slice his shot high over the bar.

Another strong forward run after Illia Zabarnyi, Huijsen’s centre-back partner, lost possession near halfway underlined the Spurs forward’s ability to unsettle the home backline, but it was Bournemouth who made the breakthrough after poor marking followed a mix-up in the Spurs defence.

Adam Smith’s low cross was hacked away by Spurs centre-back Radu Dragusin but the attempted clearance rebounded back off team-mate Destiny Udogie. This time Dragusin, sent off balance by a challenge from Evanilson, was unable to make contact and it took a good save by Fraser Forster to deny the forward’s close-range shot. The danger had by no means gone away though and from the resulting corner, Huijsen was allowed to peel off to the back post where he rose unchallenged to head past Forster.

Tottenham’s efforts to get back level were not entirely convincing. They dominated possession but their attacking moves too often broke down before they were in a position to threaten Kepa’s goal. Bournemouth continued to pose a threat on the break.

Had Marcus Tavernier not drifted into an offside position, he would have capped another quick counter with his side’s second instead of seeing the effort ruled out. And it took a fine reaction save by Forster to deny the Bournemouth winger just before half-time, when Tavernier glanced a header goalwards from Milos Kerkez’s cross.

There was no shortage of problems for Postecoglou to address at the interval and, if Tottenham were to find a way back into the game, they would have to demonstrate a cutting edge. A positive start to the second half indicated that the head coach had made his feelings known to his players but while Spurs appeared to have added purpose to their play, the closest they came to troubling Kepa was when the keeper was forced to hurry to avoid being caught out by James Maddison’s inswinging corner.

Bournemouth’s response, though, highlighted their continuing threat, with the home side immediately countering, this time through Justin Kluivert who outpaced Odogie before drawing another save from Forster.

Postecoglou had seen enough and introduced Son Heung-min for Pape Matar Sarr. Almost immediately the forward made an impact, finding a way past Kepa after the keeper had parried Kulusevski’s shot, only to be ruled offside. Moments later, the substitute played in Maddison, whose curled shot drifted wide of the far post.

Spurs were unable to maintain that momentum, though, and Bournemouth looked increasingly likely to add to their lead. The offside flag came to Forster’s rescue after the keeper’s misplaced pass led to another opportunity for the home side, only adding to the sense that the Tottenham defence was creaking, a view reinforced by the sight of Tavernier and Dango Ouattara both spurning good chances to score.

10:28 PM GMT

Thanks for joining us

That brings an end to over coverage of this evening’s Premier League ties.

Alex Iwobi scored twice as Fulham moved up to sixth with a 3-1 over Brighton at Craven Cottage.

Meanwhile, Dean Huijsen became Bournemouth’s youngest ever Premier League scorer as Andoni Iraola’s beat Tottenham 1-0 to climb into the top half.

Thank you for joining us!

10:26 PM GMT

‘Tottenham didn’t look like scoring’, says Ferdinand

Speaking on Amazon Prime, former Tottenham Hotspur striker Les Ferdinand said: “Every time Bournemouth went forward, they looked like scoring. Tottenham didn’t.

“There was no urgency, no physicality, didn’t win any 50-50 tackles. We didn’t know what Spurs would turn up and it wasn’t this one the fans wanted.”

10:25 PM GMT

Postecoglou disappointed at ‘really poor goal’

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou told BBC Sport: “We started well and conceded a really poor goal. It’s a difficult place to come when giving the opposition the opportunity to play in the manner they want.

“It’s disappointing. It’s something we’ve done consistently and we always pay the price for it.

“We started the second half with more conviction. Always be a tough game here. Don’t want to give the opposition a leg up. We’ve done that in other games this year and paid the price.

“It comes down to us as a collective being a lot more determined to control a game of football and not let the opposition take control.”

10:24 PM GMT

‘We’re a force at home’, says Smith

Speaking to Amazon Prime, Bournemouth captain said: “At home we’re a force, even away from home, we press high, we don’t care about who the opponent is, we focus on ourselves and the crowd gets behind us and I think our mentality is top.”

Discussing Bournemouth’s squad, he said: “We’ve got so many exciting players. The club’s done very well in recruiting big talent - players coming off the bench - we’ve got great players, so for sure this clubs moving forward.”

10:21 PM GMT

Bournemouth enjoy hosting north London

Both of Bournemouth’s clean sheets this season have come at home in their wins over north London opponents with the other coming in the 2-0 triumph over Arsenal in October.

They have now won successive Premier League games for the first time since April.

10:16 PM GMT

Should have been more for Bournemouth

Bournemouth had 21 shots, their highest total in a Premier League game this season.

Their expected goals was 3.31, compared to 0.58 for Tottenham.

10:15 PM GMT

Where this evening’s action leaves us

Fulham’s 3-1 victory over Brighton sees Marco Silva’s men climb from 12th to sixth in the Premier League table, one point and one place behind their opponents this evening.

Meanwhile, Bournemouth’s 1-0 victory over Tottenham has seen go one place ahead of Ange Postecoglou’s side, moving up from 13th into ninth.

There are now just four points separating Brighton in fifth and Manchester United in 13th. Meanwhile, there is a three point gap between Fabian Hurzeler’s men and Manchester City in fourth, and a five point gap to Arsenal and Chelsea.

10:09 PM GMT

Full time: Bournemouth 1 Tottenham 0

And there is the full-time whistle! Bournemouth have another big win at the Vitality as they beat Tottenham 1-0 to go up to ninth and ahead of Postecoglou’s men in the Premier League.

The only goal of the game came from 19-year-old defender Huijsen but it should have been far more for the hosts who created chance after chance in the second half while Tottenham lacked any cutting edge.

10:06 PM GMT

90+6 mins: Bournemouth 1 Tottenham 0

Kulusevski swings a ball in and Solanke tries to bring it down with his back to goal but it goes out for a goal-kick and that feels like it could be enough to see Bournemouth home.

10:05 PM GMT

90+3 mins: Bournemouth 1 Tottenham 0

Bournemouth are really pushing for a second even in added time. The ball is pulled back to Adams on the penalty spot but it’s blocked by Bergvall. There are appeals and a VAR check for handball but no doing.

Kerkez takes the ball to the by-line and makes in roads into the area before looking to poke a ball across goal but Forster squirms it behind. Unal’s header from the corner is straight at the keeper.

10:01 PM GMT

90+1 mins: Bournemouth 1 Tottenham 0

Bournemouth have the chance to break and find themeslves in a two-on-two. Ouatarra beats Dragusin on the outside once again but, again, his effort his wild and goes way way over.

There will be six minutes added on at the end here.

09:59 PM GMT

88 mins: Bournemouth 1 Tottenham 0

Another chance for Bournemouth as the corner is initially cleared before being headed back in by Billing but Ouattara heads over from close range.

Tottenham nearly shoot themselves in the foot once again as they look to play out but they get away with it.

09:57 PM GMT

87 mins: Bournemouth 1 Tottenham 0

Triple-change for Bournemouth as Evanilson, Tavernier and Semenyo make way for Unal, Billing and Brooks.

Brooks is immediately involved as he is found by a long ball in the right channel by Smith. He takes it to the by-line before winning the corner from Gray.

09:55 PM GMT

83 mins: Bournemouth 1 Tottenham 0

Are Bournemouth going to pay for these missed chances? The move once again comes form Semenyo down the right as he squares a ball back towards the edge of the box.

Evanilson flicks it on with a back-heel before Tavernier feeds Ouattara to his left but his first effort is blocked by Porro while he blazes his second attempt over after cutting in.

09:54 PM GMT

82 mins: Bournemouth 1 Tottenham 0

Oh it should be two! Semenyo does well on the right to dig out a cross. Tavernier latches onto it with a left-footed half volley but it goes over. It was a difficult technique, especially given he was slightly on the stretch, but he had the box to himself!

09:52 PM GMT

79 mins: Bournemouth 1 Tottenham 0

Maddison wins the free-kick as a smart turn draws the foul from Kerkez. The England international takes it but it’s a poor delivery. It does drop to Bissouma on the edge of the box who produces great technique on the volley but it goes wide of the left post.

That was Maddison and Bissouma’s last involvement as they are replaced by Bergvall and Werner.

09:48 PM GMT

77 mins: Bournemouth 1 Tottenham 0

Ouattara finds himself in a one-on-one situation with Dragusin down Bournemouth’s left. He beats the defender on the outside but, off-balance, hits his effort over.

Christie is replaced by Cook for the hosts.

09:47 PM GMT

75 mins: Bournemouth 1 Tottenham 0

Tottenham and Forster suddenly look shaky as the keeper and Porro get in the way of each other. Forster’s clearance is really poor but the cross in to the box with a vacant net can’t find a Bournemouth head.

Bournemouth win it high up the pitch though and Semenyo finds Tavernier on the edge of the box but his effort whistles wide of the right post. They are pushing for a second here!

09:44 PM GMT

72 mins: Bournemouth 1 Tottenham 0

Bournemouth think they have doubled their lead but this could be offside. Forster plays a straight pass to Kulusevski that Bournemouth pounce on. Tavernier’s first effort is saved before Evanilson can scramble home on the follow up but while the flag stays down initially, VAR checks it and rightly rules it out.

09:43 PM GMT

70 mins: Bournemouth 1 Tottenham 0

Ouattara’s cross from the left is deflected behind for a corner. Tavernier’s cross is headed just wide but the foul is given for a shove on Maddison.

Semenyo has his best opening of the match as he cuts inside from the right but his powerful effort whistles over.

09:39 PM GMT

67 mins: Bournemouth 1 Tottenham 0

Evanilson has his back to goal but tees up Christie coming in from the left who takes it to the edge of the box before striking low towards the bottom left corner but it nicks off the upright and goes behind. So close to two!

09:37 PM GMT

66 mins: Bournemouth 1 Tottenham 0

A change for the hosts now as Ouattara replaces Kluivert. Tavernier shifts into the 10 role as the substitute goes out on the left.

Johnson’s cross is skewed behind for a corner that Maddison once again uses the wind to land on top of Kepa but he does well again to punch clear. The ball drops to Porro who strikes well on the half-volley but Kepa sets himself well to make the stop.

09:33 PM GMT

62 mins: Bournemouth 1 Tottenham 0

Son picks it up on the right and drives to the edge of the box before rolling a ball in behind for Maddison. He has his back to goal but is allowed to spin on the edge of the six-yard box but his curling effort looking for the top right corner goes just wide.

Davies picks up a knock in another blow at central defence for Tottenham and Porro is on in his place. Gray shifts to centre-back as Porro goes into the right-back role.

09:31 PM GMT

59mins: Bournemouth 1 Tottenham 0

Tottenham think they have their equaliser but it’s ruled out! Bissouma puts a strong challenge in in midfield allowing Solanke to feed Kulusevski into the box to his right. He squares it across to Son for a tap-in with his first touch but the flag is rightly up.

Down the other end Evanilson has space for a shot on the edge of the box but is low strike is straight at Forster.

09:29 PM GMT

58 mins: Bournemouth 1 Tottenham 0

Kulusevksi wins the corner before playing it short and swinging a wicked ball in but he is unhappy after seeing no one get on the end of it.

Son comes on for Tottenham in place of Sarr in an attacking move for the visitors.

09:26 PM GMT

Full time: Fulham 3 Brighton 1

It’s full time at Craven Cottage and Fulham clinch a vital win that takes them up to sixth as things stand just one point and one place behind Brighton.

09:25 PM GMT

53 mins: Bournemouth 1 Tottenham 0

Bournemouth break and Kluivert skins Udogie down the home side’s right. He bears down on goal before looking to rifle one into the roof of the net but Forster can turn it behind.

Evanilson is furious he didn’t square it but I think he should have perhaps gone for the bottom left corner.

09:24 PM GMT

52 mins: Bournemouth 1 Tottenham 0

It’s a better move from Tottenham as Johnson feeds Udogie on the overlap inside the area but his low ball his turned behind for a corner.

It’s Maddison who swings it in and Kepa does well to improvise a punch clear and stop the ball going straight in.

09:22 PM GMT

90+4 mins: Fulham 3 Brighton 1

A final change for Fulham as Cuenca replaces Berge. There will be five minutes added on at Craven Cottage.

Pereira picks up a booking for hacking down Rutter who was making inroads to the edge of the box. Ferguson’s effort from the free-kick whistles over the top-right corner.

09:20 PM GMT

47 mins: Bournemouth 1 Tottenham 0

We are back underway at the Vitality with no changes at the break for either side. Will Tottenham improve after a really lacklustre opening period or will Bournemouth hang on to a lead that will take them up to ninth ahead of Postecoglou’s men?

09:17 PM GMT

GOAL! Iwobi has his second

Fulham 3 Brighton 1 (Iwobi) Iwobi has second and Fulham’s third to seal the three points. Robinson finds the midfielder inside the box towards the left. He gets slightly lucky to see the ball to stay at his feet but there is nothing lucky about the finish as he finds the bottom right corner with a low curling effort.

09:15 PM GMT

86 mins: Fulham 2 Brighton 1

Dunk wasn’t happy about the Fulham goal, perhaps he thought there was a foul, but either way he talked himself into the book as he continued to hassle Peter Banks.

Brighton’s changes are yet to make a real impact on this one with it feeling like it’s fizzling out somewhat. Gruda is on for Wieffer in Hurzeler’s final attempt to shake things up.

09:10 PM GMT

81 mins: Fulham 2 Brighton 1

That was O’Riley’s last involvement as he is replaced by Rutter while Ferguson comes on for Pedro.

There are changes too for the visitors as King and Jimenez come on for Wilson and Muniz.

09:09 PM GMT

GOAL! O’Riley own goal restores Fulham’s lead

Fulham 2 Brighton 1 (O’Riley OG) Fulham’s changes have injected some energy into the side and Traore wins the corner down their left. The ball is then swung in by Pereira and the it goes in off the back-side of O’Riley to give Fulham the lead once again! He knew very little about it in fairness to him.

09:03 PM GMT

Half-time: Bournemouth 1 Tottenham 0

The first half comes to a close at the Vitality and it’s been really poor from Tottenham. Other than Solanke’s early chance following the error from Huijsen, they have looked fairly toothless.

09:02 PM GMT

71 mins: Fulham 1 Brighton 1

Just as Fulham are preparing changes, Nelson pulls up and is holding his hamstring, looking in real pain. That is not a good sight for Silva and the home fans.

He may well have been replaced anyway just seconds later but does make way for Traore while Pereira is on for Smith Rowe. Van Hecke is off for Lamptey and he is not happy at all about it, kicking part of the dugout on the way to his seat.

08:59 PM GMT

44 mins: Bournemouth 1 Tottenham 0

What a save from Forster! Kerkez makes the underlapping run and delivers a great ball into the area. It finds the head of Tavernier but the Tottenham keeper puts a strong arm down low to his left to keep it out.

08:55 PM GMT

Good header from Huijsen

Ian Winrow at the Vitality Stadium

Spurs had made a positive start to the game but find themselves after failing to pick up Dean Huijsen at a corner. Good header by the centre-back though.

That was his first Bournemouth goal and the 19-year-old appears to be growing in confidence, coming out on top in his latest battle with Solanke with a well-timed sliding tackle before blocking Kulusevski’s shot.

08:55 PM GMT

40 mins: Bournemouth 1 Tottenham 0

Kerkez takes a heavy touch on the edge of his own box gifting Kulusevski the ball in a dangerous area but his low ball across is tame and easily cut out.

Moments later and Tottenham have another corner from their left which once again comes to nothing.

08:53 PM GMT

64 mins: Fulham 1 Brighton 1

Mitoma delivers a fierce inswinging cross from the left. It takes a nick and lands at the feet of O’Riley at the back post but Robinson does well to make the block.

Down the other end and Van Hecke picks up a yellow for chopping down Nelson who had skipped past him. Wilson’s cross is punched clear by Verbruggen.

08:50 PM GMT

35 mins: Bournemouth 1 Tottenham 0

Johnson is bearing down on the penalty area but Huijsen gets back to execute a perfectly-timed sliding challenge. After an early error he is now having a great game!

08:47 PM GMT

31 mins: Bournemouth 1 Tottenham 0

Bournemouth think they have doubled their lead as Evanilson drives to the edge of the box. He nicks a clever ball through to Tavernier who finishes clinically as he sweeps his left-footed effort into the near post but the flag is - correctly - raised.

08:46 PM GMT

GOAL! Baleba equalises for Brighton

Fulham 1 Brighton 1 (Baleba) Van Hecke plays a long ball into the feet of Joao Pedro who with a touch of class tees it off to Baleba first time. The midfielder strikes it first time with a slicing left-footed volley that finds the bottom left corner from the edge of the box. Great goal!

08:43 PM GMT

54 mins: Fulham 1 Brighton 0

O’Riley wins a corner from Robinson down Brighton’s right and it’s the Dane who takes it. It’s a great ball in that Van Hecke leaps well to get on the end of it but he heads over... he should hit the target!

08:40 PM GMT

50 mins: Fulham 1 Brighton 0

There are appeals from Fulham for a penalty as the ball potentially strikes the top of Baleba’s arm on the edge of the box but play is waved on and VAR agrees.

08:37 PM GMT

22 mins: Bournemouth 1 Tottenham 0

Bournemouth are pressing for a second. Semenyo feeds Tavernier to his left but he is caught in two minds on the edge of the box and it’s neither a cross or a shot from the winger as the ball drifts wide.

Udogie is given a yellow for an earlier tug back on Kluivert.

08:35 PM GMT

46 mins: Fulham 1 Brighton 0

We are back underway at Craven Cottage, can Brighton turn this one around or will Fulham hold on for an important three points to take them up the table?

08:33 PM GMT

GOAL! Huijsen gives Bournemouth the lead

Bournemouth 1 Tottenham 0 (Huijsen) Bournemouth make it pay from the corner though! The inswinging ball from the right from Tavernier is delivered to the back post to the young-centre back Huijsen who has peeled round the back.

He heads home back across goal for an early lead and becomes Bournemouth’s youngest-ever goalscorer. Really poor defending from Tottenham - he had acres!

08:31 PM GMT

16 mins: Bournemouth 0 Tottenham 0

It’s the best chance of the game. Dragusin’s clearance form inside the six-yard box deflects off Udogie and falls back to Evanilson who looks to scramble it home but Forster smothers it well.

08:29 PM GMT

Davies walking on a tightrope

Ian Winrow at the Vitality Stadium

Ben Davies took just four minutes to mark his 300th Premier League appearance with a yellow card. The Spurs defender earned his caution for a not very subtle attempt to halt Evanilson’s forward run near the halfway line.

08:28 PM GMT

13 mins: Bournemouth 0 Tottenham 0

It’s a mistake this time from Bournemouth’s other centre back Zabarnyi as Solanke pinches it off him on halfway but Huijsen gets back in to block the shot as he reaches the box.

Bournemouth break dangerously from the corner as Gray gives away the foul but Tavernier scuffs his free-kick.

08:24 PM GMT

9 mins: Bournemouth 0 Tottenham 0

Huijsen gets away with one as he gets his clearance from a long ball all wrong. Solanke is through on goal but with the ball bouncing and Huijsen getting back in to apply the pressure, the striker is off balance and his strike goes over.

08:22 PM GMT

Half-time: Fulham 1 Brighton 0

The first half comes to a close at Craven Cottage with Fulham going into the interval with a 1-0 lead thanks to Iwobi’s early goal following Verburggen’s error. Brighton have been the more dominant side but haven’t created a great deal to show for it with Adingra coming closest for the visitors.

08:21 PM GMT

5 mins: Bournemouth 0 Tottenham 0

Davies picks up a very early yellow card as he brings down Evanilson who was driving well through the centre of the pitch. He’s going to have to be very careful now for the final 85 minutes.

Maddison turns superbly in midfield before feeding Kulusevski whose left-footed strike from the edge of the box is straight at Kepa.

08:19 PM GMT

45+2 mins: Fulham 1 Brighton 0

Fulham have a late chance as Muniz rises well above the defender from a cross from the left but his header goes wide of the right post and that is likely to be the final action of this first half.

08:17 PM GMT

1 min: Bournemouth 0 Tottenham 0

We are underway at the Vitality with Tottenham and Maddison kicking things off going from left to right.

08:16 PM GMT

44 mins: Fulham 1 Brighton 0

Iwobi catches Wieffer late after the Brighton man nicked it off him on the edge of the Fulham box to give away the foul in a dangerous position.

Matt O’Riley’s delivery is attacked by Lewis Dunk and it falls to Wieffer to have a go. Sander Berge takes it straight to the face and there is blood coming from his nose.

08:12 PM GMT

Bournemouth vs Tottenham: Players making their way out

As the first half approaches its end at Craven Cottage, the players are now making their way out of the tunnel at the Vitality Stadium with kick-off just moments away.

08:09 PM GMT

39 mins: Fulham 1 Brighton 0

Brighton nearly shoot themselves in the foot once again as they look to play out but Muniz can’t control Van Hecke’s loose ball across the back line.

08:07 PM GMT

Bournemouth vs Tottenham: Semenyo the fans’ favourite

Ian Winrow at the Vitality Stadium 

Consensus among the Bournemouth mascots is that Antoine Semenyo is their favourite player. They’re not bad judges and won’t be the only ones pleased to see the winger return after suspension.

08:06 PM GMT

35 mins: Fulham 1 Brighton 0

A huge chance for an equaliser. Igor plays a slicing through ball in behind for Mitoma who plays a lovely low ball across the box. It runs to Adingra arriving at the back post but his low strike is saved well by Leno.

Following the corner, Igor’s effort from the edge of the box takes a nick and goes wide.

08:03 PM GMT

33 mins: Fulham 1 Brighton 0

Berge goes through the back of Pedro and picks up a yellow but the visiting players want to see more. The Video Assistant Referee supports the onfield decision though.

Pedro gingerly gets back to his feet before O’Riley delivers the ball to Dunk at the back post but Smith Rowe clears.

08:01 PM GMT

31 mins: Fulham 1 Brighton 0

It’s a really important evening in terms of the teams outside the top four with things so tightly congested.

If Fulham can hang on to their lead it will take them from 12th to within one point of Brighton and ahead of Tottenham if they fail to beat Bournemouth, who can move from 13th to as high as eighth this evening. All to play for!

07:58 PM GMT

28 mins: Fulham 1 Brighton 0

It’s a nice move from Fulham as Iwobi picks out Wilson with an accurate ball infield. The Wales international knocks it through to to Muniz but his low driven ball across the six-yard box can’t pick out a white shirt.

Wilson tugs the shirt of Igor as he looks to drive towards the edge of the box and Brighton have a free-kick in a dangerous position from the left. O’Riley swings it in but Wieffer’s flicked header goes harmlessly wide.

07:55 PM GMT

24 mins: Fulham 1 Brighton 0

Brighton work the ball out nicely to Adringra who cuts in onto his left foot but it’s a weak effort that drifts high and wide.

The travelling fans will take confidence from the fact Brighton are the only team yet to lose when conceding first in the Premier League this season.

07:52 PM GMT

Bourenmouth vs Tottenham: Forster looking for away clean sheet

Fraser Forster is once again in the starting line-up for Tottenham to deputise for the injured Vicario.

However, he hasn’t kept a clean sheet on the road in the Premier League for Tottenham, conceding 23 goals in eight appearances away from home.

He last he kept one in an away league game in March 2021 for Southampton at Sheffield United.

07:48 PM GMT

18 mins: Fulham 1 Brighton 0

Some industrious play from Pedro down Brighton’s right gives him the space to swing a ball towards Adingra on the edge of the area but the winger brings it down with his arm to waste the opportunity.

07:46 PM GMT

Bournemouth vs Tottenham: Thursday struggles for visitors

In what is potentially a rather pointless statistic, Bournemouth have never lost a Premier League clash on a Thursday, winning one and drawing three.

Spurs have lost four of their past five Premier League matches on a Thursday, drawing the other.

07:45 PM GMT

15 mins: Fulham 1 Brighton 0

It’s Brighton turn to put a fluid move together down their left. Mitoma delivers a sumptuous ball with the outside of his boot into the box but Bassey is there to crucially block efforts from Estupinian and Pedro.

07:44 PM GMT

13 mins: Fulham 1 Brighton 0

Fulham combine nicely down their left but Wilson and Muniz both drop to the penalty spot as Robinson swings a dangerous ball in. Dunk chests it behind for a corner though.

Muniz leaps incredibly from the set-piece but his powerful header goes wide of the right post. It’s been a lively opening to this one!

07:42 PM GMT

11 mins: Fulham 1 Brighton 0

Van Hecke’s cross is headed clear to Baleba on the edge of the box. He takes a touch before swinging a left foot at it but his volleyed effort goes high and wide to cheers from the home fans.

Moments later and it’s Van Hecke looking to provide once again as he slips a fantastic ball in behind into the right of the area for Joao Pedro. The Brazilian looks to strike it into the bottom left corner but Leno is down well to save.

07:39 PM GMT

Bournemouth vs Tottenham: Head-to-head

Bournemouth have won just two of their 14 Premier League fixtures with Tottenham, drawing two and losing 10.

The Cherries lost both meetings last season: 2-0 at home and then 3-1 away.

07:39 PM GMT

9 mins: Fulham 1 Brighton 0

It should be two! A long ball from Leno goes all the way over the top of the Brighton defence for Iwobi to run onto. He takes it into the penalty area on his left foot but Igor gets back to make the block as Iwobi took aim.

The corner for the hosts come to nothing and their wait for a goal from said set-piece this season goes on.

07:35 PM GMT

GOAL! Iwobi opens the scoring

Fulham 1 Brighton 0 (Iwobi) Brighton look to play out through Verbruggen but he plays a loose pass looking for Baleba on their edge of their own box. Iwobi can intercept and with Verbruggen vacant from his goal, there is an empty net for the Fulham man to roll the ball into for an early lead.

07:33 PM GMT

3 mins: Fulham 0 Brighton 0

It’s looking like a back-three for Brighton with Wieffer, Baleba and O’Riley as a midfield three and Adingra out towards the right. I’m sure it will be fairly fluid in and out of possession.

It’s the visitors who enjoy early possession and Joao Pedro wins a corner down their left that is cleared by Muniz.

07:30 PM GMT

1 min: Fulham 0 Brighton 0

After a rather impressive light show, we are underway at Craven Cottage with Brighton and O’Riley kicking things off going from right to left. Peter Banks is the referee for this one is.

Brighton boss Hurzeler is serving a one-game touch-line ban this evening.

07:27 PM GMT

Fulham vs Brighton: Players ready

The players are in the Craven Cottage tunnel now and are ready to head out into the wet and windy weather. Will the conditions have an impact on tonight’s proceedings?

07:23 PM GMT

Postecoglou ‘looking forward’ to Bournemouth clash

Discussing the busy festive schedule, Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou said: “It’s a Thursday-Sunday cycle for us pretty consistently. They’ve all recovered well, no issues from [Fulham] and we’re ready to go for a big game.”

He said opponents Bournemouth “are one of those sides where they have a real consistency in performance and approach so you know that you’re in for a battle. They’ve beaten Manchester City and Arsenal at their place. I’m really looking forward to it.”

07:21 PM GMT

Kick-off approaching at Craven Cottage

We are less than ten minutes away from kick-off at a rainy Craven Cottage. Will Brighton return to the top four or will Fulham climb into the top half? The action is on its way!

07:20 PM GMT

Iraola on Tottenham attacking threat

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola has rejected the idea Tottenham are a similar team to Arsenal and Manchester City, who his side have beaten this season.

He said: “Stats-wise they are amazing. They are top scorers [in the Premier League] and just three teams [have] conceded less. They have so many offensive threats and are good in the press and possession. I enjoy watching them.”

Discussing Bournemouth’s former striker Dominic Solanke, he said: “I prefer that he doesn’t play against us! But we have prepared the game thinking that he will play. He’s very important for them - he is giving them a lot in and out of possession. We know him well but he knows everything we do.”

07:16 PM GMT

Bournemouth vs Tottenham injury news

Antoine Semenyo is available for the hosts after missing last weekend’s win at Wolves through suspension and is back in at right-wing.

Midfielder Lewis Cook has been struggling to overcome a muscle issue but makes the bench and Julian Araujo, Alex Scott and Luis Sinisterra all remain sidelined.

Tottenham striker Dominic Solanke has returned to training after a brief illness and is in from the start.

Archie Gray has overcome a knock to also start but this game comes too soon for defender Cristian Romero, who has missed the past three matches with a toe injury.

Rodrigo Bentancur continues his domestic suspension while Wilson Odobert, Richarlison, Mickey van der Ven and Guglielmo Vicario all remain out.

07:12 PM GMT

Fulham vs Brighton: Both sides flying high

Fulham’s tally of 19 points is their joint-second highest after 13 games of a Premier League season. They made a similar start in 2022-23 and had 21 points in 2003-04.

Brighton’s 23 points is their best-ever tally after 13 matches of a top-flight season.

The Seagulls are aiming to win a fourth away league game, which would equal their total for the whole of 2023-24.

07:09 PM GMT

Those line-ups in full

Bournemouth: Kepa, Smith, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Adams, Christie; Semenyo, Kluivert, Tavernier; Evanilson.

Subs: Aarons, Billing, Hill, Brooks, Kinsey, Ouattara, Travers, Cook, Unal.

Tottenham: Forster; Gray, Dragusin, Davies, Udogie; Sarr, Bissouma, Maddison; Kulusevski, Solanke, Johnson.

Subs: Austin, Bergvall, Spence, Porro, Son, Lankshear, Olusesi, Reguilon, Werner.

07:06 PM GMT

Two changes for Bournemouth

Semenyo and Huijsen come in for Brooks and Senesi as Andoni Iraola makes two changes to the side that put four past Wolves on the weekend.

07:02 PM GMT

Postecoglou makes three changes

There are three changes to Tottenham’s team that drew against Fulham as Gray, Kulusevski and Solanke replace Porro, Werner and Son.

06:57 PM GMT

Elsewhere this midweek

Liverpool’s advantage at the top of the Premier League reduced to seven points on Wednesday following their thrilling 3-3 draw with Newcastle.

Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City all capitalised on the slip-up with wins over Southampton, Manchester United and Nottingham Forest, respectively.

After failing to score in their last four, Everton put four past Wolves in a big result at the bottom of the table while Aston Villa returned to winning ways with a 3-1 win over Brentford.

Tuesday’s action saw Ruud van Nistelrooy get off to a fast start as his Leicester City side beat West Ham United 3-1 while Crystal Palace clinched a vital 1-0 over Ipswich Town to move othree clear of the bottom three.

06:52 PM GMT

Head-to-head

Brighton have failed to beat Fulham in their eight Premier League meetings having lost half and drawing the other.

The South Coast side have lost on three of their four top-flight visits to Craven Cottage.

06:47 PM GMT

Hurzeler expecting ‘tough game’

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler said Fulham “are a very good team in possession” with a well-balanced squad: “They defend in a very compact shape and they try to be aggressive and shift a lot.”

On playing at Craven Cottage for the first time, he said: “It’s a small, tight stadium. The pitch isn’t the biggest so it will be an intense, tough game.”

06:44 PM GMT

Pedro leads the line

Joao Pedro registered a goal and assist in his first two matches after from returning from injury against Manchester City and Bournemouth. He was unable to have the same impact against Southampton on the weekend but will he be a difference-maker this evening?

06:41 PM GMT

‘Brighton have clear identity’, says Silva

Discussing Brighton ahead of this evening’s clash Fulham manager Marco Silva: “They have a clear identity as a club. When they go into the market, they have been able (to find) what they really need and want.” He added that their summer spending “shows the ambition of the club right now”.

On his side’s season so far, he said: “I’m proud because I can feel that we all have confidence. Sometimes it comes from results, other times from the way you perform. We all share the same confidence because we all know the way we work and the players know their abilities as well.

“When you see fans proud, I have to be proud because our job is to make them proud. If we play any side and are at our best, then it is difficult for them [the opposition] as well.”

06:37 PM GMT

Fulham vs Brighton injury news

Fulham are without suspended midfielders Tom Cairney and Sasa Lukic.

Joachim Andersen and Harrison Reed remain sidelined but Jorge Cuenca makes the bench.

Carlos Baleba returns from suspension for Brighton and is in from the start, while Kaoru Mitoma and Yasin Ayari have both recovered from knocks with the Japan international starting but Joel Veltman doesn’t feature.

James Milner, Adam Webster, Ferdi Kadioglu and Jack Hinshelwood all remain out. Solly March may return before Christmas after more than a year out through a knee injury.

06:33 PM GMT

Wet evening in west London

06:28 PM GMT

Those line-ups in full

Fulham: Leno; Catagne, Diop, Bassey, Robinson; Iwobi, Berge; Wilson, Smith Rowe, Nelson; Muniz.

Subs: Benda, Tete, Cuenca, King, Jimenez, Vinicius, Sessegnon, Traore, Pereira.

Brighton: Verbruggen; Dunk, van Hecke, Igor Julio; Wieffer, O’Riley, Baleba, Estupinian; Adingra, Joao Pedro, Mitoma.

Subs: Ayari, Lamptey, Moder, Ferguson, McConville, Minteh, Gruda, Steele, Rutter.

06:23 PM GMT

Hurzeler makes four changes

There are four changes to the Brighton side that started the 1-1 draw with Southampton at the Amex as Dunk, Wieffer, Baleba and Adingra replace Lamptey, Rutter, Ayari and Welbeck.

06:18 PM GMT

Three changes for Fulham

Marco Silva makes three changes to the side that drew 1-1 away to Tottenham on the weekend as Castagne, Wilson and Muniz come in for Tete, Lukic and Jimenez.

06:16 PM GMT

Preview: Room for manoeuvring in congested mid-table

Good evening and welcome to Telegraph Sport’s live, minute-by-minute Premier League clockwatch. There are two fixtures in store this evening with Fulham’s home clash against Brighton and Hove Albion kicking off at 7:30pm before Tottenham Hotspur’s visit to Bournemouth gets underway at 8:15pm.

Brighton will be looking to keep pace in the race for the top four following victories for Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City on Wednesday. Fabian Hurzeler’s side are three points adrift of the reigning champions but could leapfrog them into fourth on goal difference with a win this evening.

Brighton’s home draw against bottom-of-the-table Southampton on the weekend will have frustrated the young German manager after momentum was starting to build following wins over City and Bournemouth.

Fulham come into this evening in 12th spot but with mid-table so tightly congested, victory could take them as high as sixth. Marco Silva’s men bounced back from a crushing 4-1 defeat at home to Wolves 12 days ago with a well-earned point away to Tottenham on the weekend, in a match in which they probably should have picked up all three points.

The visitors provided the greater attacking threat throughout and got their just rewards through Tom Cairney’s spectacular equaliser but they will be without their skipper this evening after he picked up a straight red 15 minutes later.

Once again though for Ange Postecoglou’s side, it was a disappointing result and performance to come after a spectacular one. Tottenham have scored four goals in each of their last three victories in the league in thumping wins over West Ham United, Aston Villa and most recently Manchester City. However, they were followed up with defeats against Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town, and the draw against Fulham, respectively.

This pattern of results suggests they are in for a four-goal haul and three points this evening - an outcome which could take them up to fifth if Brighton are beaten.

Remarkably though, defeat for Tottenham would see Bournemouth, who are currently 13th in the table, overtake them by a point. Andoni Iraola’s side are bringing up the rear of the cluster of six sides currently separated by two points and the group of nine teams separated by just five.

Justin Kluivert’s hat-trick of penalties saw Bournemouth beat Wolves 4-2 at Molineux on the weekend to deliver Iraola’s men their first win in three following defeats against Brighton and Brentford.