SHAKY SPURS NEED DUTCH COURAGE
THEY couldn’t blow it from here could they? Surely not. Not even Tottenham.
That was the dread feeling Spurs supporters who have seen their side snatch defeat from the jaws of victory far too often will have wondered after this implosion at Bournemouth.
Twenty-four hours later Tottenham were let off the hook, in the league at least. But it is thanks to the failings of others that they are set to limp over the line in the race for a top-four finish.
Only an unlikely chain of events, including a eight-goal swing, will see them pipped to fourth now after Manchester United and Arsenal dropped points yet again.
A few months ago, if offered the challenge of beating Ajax to progress in the Champions League and securing one more win for a place in the top four, Spurs would have snapped your hand off.
It has not turned out to be anywhere near as straightforward as they might have hoped. That is in part because of the fearless and gifted side Ajax have proved to be, as Spurs found out in losing last week’s semi-final first leg 1-0.
But the main reason for the concern will be Spurs themselves and the worrying signs they have shown at the worst possible time.
Nathan Ake’s 91st- minute headed goal for Bournemouth condemned Spurs to a fifth loss in six games, and a ninth away defeat in 10.
Though Tottenham will almost certainly finish in the top four now, there was plenty else to alarm them at the Vitality Stadium.
Top of the list was their lack of discipline. Son Heung-min and Juan Foyth — just 133 seconds after coming on — were both sent off. Eric Dier should have been, Dele Alli was at the heart of a late melee and was one of five Spurs players booked.
Referee Craig Pawson and fourth official Simon Hooper were the targets of Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino’s frustration. This was a worrying insight into Spurs’ state of mind ahead of a massive night in Amsterdam on Wednesday.
They have no time to dwell on events at Bournemouth. Midfielder Moussa Sissoko said: ‘This week will be the biggest of the season for us. If we win and go to the final it will be a dream for everyone.’
Not content with downing Spurs, match-winner Ake, a Dutch international, said he will be supporting his countrymen. ‘Everyone would be proud if Ajax win the Champions League,’ he said.