Tottenham 3-1 Bournemouth – Spurs sweep past Bournemouth but Pape Sarr an AFCON injury risk after going off

Pape Sarr sampled the highs and lows of the Premier League as Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham ended the year in style by returning to winning ways with a clinical 3-1 home victory over a wasteful Bournemouth.

But the Senegal midfielder was left in tears at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after a suspected hamstring injury forced him to depart the action just after the half-hour mark.

Judging by his reaction, Sarr faces a race against time to be fit for the Africa Cup of Nations, which begins in Ivory Coast on January 13.

Despite looking the likelier side for large swathes of the match, the visiting side could not find an equaliser chasing a fifth straight victory and paid a heavy price for their profligacy as clinical finishes from Son Heung-min (71) and Richarlison (81) finished them off.

Substitute Alex Scott scored a late consolation on 84 minutes for Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth – who saw their seven-match unbeaten run end in the saturated London gloom – as they remained 12th in the table with 25 points from 19 games.

Spurs have scored in 32 straight league matches for the first time since 1962 and end the year fifth in the table, three points behind leaders Liverpool and Aston Villa.

Injuries to Sarr and substitute Alejo Veliz, who was forced off in added time, did not brighten the mood of manager Ange Postecoglou, but the nature of the win will when he settles down for a New Year refreshment.

Spurs were facing a Bournemouth side who arrived in London having racked up four straight Premier League victories over Crystal Palace, Manchester United, Nottingham Forest and Fulham, but could not extend their winning run despite having 24 attempts at goal compared to 12 by the home side.

Winning ugly is part of the remit in the Premier League and Spurs showed a willingness to tough it out in claiming three points from a match that was in the balance until Son struck in the final 20 minutes of regulation time.

Tottenham certainly have a clinical edge to their play that should serve them well when they resume the second half of the league campaign against Manchester United at Old Trafford in a fortnight’s time.

A superb, technically superior display by Lo Celso in midfield for the home side with a couple of key assists to his name.

Provided one of the passes of the year to play in his captain Son with the outside of a boot for the second goal after setting up Sarr for the vital opener.

Just edged his team-mate, the excellent young defender Destiny Udogie, for player of the match award.

Tottenham: Vicario 7, Porro 7, Royal 7, Davies 8, Udogie 8, Sarr 7, Lo Celso 8, Bentancur 6, Johnson 7, Son 7, Richarlison 7 Subs: Skipp 6, Hojbjerg 6, Gil 6, Dier 6, Veliz 6

Bournemouth: Neto 6, Smith 7, Zabarnyi 7, Senesi 7, Ouattara 6, Christie 6, Kluivert 7, Tavernier 7, Solanke 7, Cook 7, Sinisterra 7 Subs: Scott 7, Semenyo 6, Brooks 6, Billing 6, Aarons 6

8′ GLORIOUS CHANCE FOR SOLANKE He rises above Ben Davies to nod past the post with a clear header from the glorious Dango Ouattara cross. What a chance that is. Should really be 1-0 to the visitors.

9′ GOAL FOR SPURS! (SARR) Lovely finish from Pape Sarr into the corner of the net from edge of box after Bournemouth gave the ball away. Great interception and pass from Lo Celso. 1-0 to the home side.

45+3′ VITAL BLOCK BY DAVIES Does just enough to prevent the finish from Solanke hitting the net as the ball lands on the top of the bar. That could easily have landed in net. Luis Sinisterra playing provider.

52′ GLORIOUS CHANCE FOR SPURS A frantic counter attack by the home side. Son with a weighted pass for Richarlison racing into the box, but he slips the shot wide. Looked easier to score. Should have been 2-0 to Spurs.

60′ SPURS CUT OPEN AGAIN Christie to Tavernier and his ball across the face of goal is knocked wide by Solanke. Wasn’t easy under pressure, but another chance to level comes and goes for The Cherries.

71′ GOAL FOR SPURS! (SON) A thumping finish from Son Heung-Min racing through the middle from Giovani Lo Celso. What a pass with the outside of the left foot. And Son did the rest with a blistering hit in off the post. They lead 2-0.

80′ GOAL FOR SPURS (RICHARLISON) Brilliant move by Spurs, surely to put this match away as Richarlison makes it five goals from five matches by nudging home the Johnson cross. Surely game, set and match.

84′ GOAL FOR BOURNEMOUTH! (SCOTT) Fine finish into the corner of the net from Scott as he slides the ball into the net from the Tavernier cutback. It is 3-1.

88′ HOW DID THAT STAY OUT? Almost 4-1. Bryan Gil somehow heads off the bar from almost under it. Lovely cross from Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg before Royal collects a booking for a late trip.