Tottenham finished 2023 on a high with victory over an energetic Bournemouth in the Premier League at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Pape Sarr opened the scoring when Rodrigo Bentancur latched on to Neto's casual pass out from the back and it broke for Sarr, who drilled it into the far corner.
Smarting from a 4-2 loss to Brighton in midweek, an injury-hit Spurs watched as Bournemouth enjoyed plenty of chances and looked likely to level.
But the visitors lacked a clinical edge in the final third and Son Heung-min doubled his side's lead with a superb left-footed strike which went in off a post before Richarlison swept home to wrap up the points for Ange Postecoglou's side.
Alex Scott steered home a consolation goal but the Cherries will likely wonder how they allowed the scoreline to get away from them and leave London empty-handed.
It marked a first defeat in seven games for Andoni Iraola's side as Dominic Solanke's three-match scoring streak came to an end.
How did you rate Spurs' performance? Have your say hereWhat did you make of Bournemouth's display? Send us your views hereInjury-hit Spurs find way to win
After a strong start to the season under Postecoglou, Tottenham had lost five of their past nine games and continue to battle with injuries.
The surprise return of Bentancur to the starting XI was a welcome sight for Spurs fans after he recovered from an ankle injury earlier than anticipated.
The home side got off to the perfect start with Sarr's slotted finish but had to hang in there as Bournemouth were on top for large periods.
Spurs created little in the second half but Son's goal knocked the wind out of the visitors and Richarlison wrapped up the points.
But there was more injury misery for Postecoglou as Sarr went down in the first half and left the field visibly upset before Alejo Veliz hobbled off in tears late on, forcing Spurs to see out the final few minutes with 10 men, having made all their substitutions.
While they showed quality to withstand Bournemouth's pressure, Spurs will likely be forced to act in the January transfer window to support their threadbare squad.
Spurs also paid tribute to goalkeeper Hugo Lloris at half-time after he joined Major League Soccer side Los Angeles FC on a free transfer, having made 447 appearances in 11 years for Tottenham.
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Tottenham Hotspur
Squad number13Player nameVicario
Squad number23Player namePorro
Squad number12Player nameEmerson Royal
Squad number33Player nameDavies
Squad number38Player nameUdogie
Squad number29Player nameSarr
Squad number30Player nameBentancur
Squad number18Player nameLo Celso
Squad number22Player nameJohnson
Squad number9Player nameRicharlison
Squad number7Player nameSon Heung-min
Squad number4Player nameSkipp
Squad number5Player nameHøjbjerg
Squad number11Player nameGil
Squad number15Player nameDier
Squad number36Player nameVéliz
AFC Bournemouth
Squad number1Player nameNeto
Squad number15Player nameA Smith
Squad number27Player nameZabarnyi
Squad number25Player nameSenesi
Squad number11Player nameOuattara
Squad number10Player nameChristie
Squad number4Player nameL Cook
Squad number16Player nameTavernier
Squad number19Player nameKluivert
Squad number17Player nameSinisterra
Squad number9Player nameSolanke
Squad number7Player nameBrooks
Squad number14Player nameScott
Squad number24Player nameSemenyo
Squad number29Player nameBilling
Squad number37Player nameAarons
Line-ups
Tottenham
Formation 4-3-3
13Vicario23Porro12Emerson RoyalBooked at 87mins33Davies38Udogie29SarrSubstituted forSkippat 32'minutesBooked at 56mins30BentancurSubstituted forHøjbjergat 58'minutes18Lo CelsoBooked at 90minsSubstituted forDierat 82'minutes22JohnsonSubstituted forGilat 82'minutes9RicharlisonSubstituted forVélizat 82'minutesSubstituted forat 90+4'minutes7Son Heung-minSubstitutes
4Skipp5Højbjerg11Gil15Dier20Forster35Phillips36Véliz63Donley65DorringtonBournemouth
Formation 4-2-3-1
1Neto15A SmithSubstituted forBrooksat 82'minutes27Zabarnyi25SenesiBooked at 79mins11OuattaraSubstituted forAaronsat 45'minutes10ChristieSubstituted forScottat 69'minutes4L Cook16Tavernier19KluivertBooked at 25minsSubstituted forBillingat 61'minutes17SinisterraSubstituted forSemenyoat 61'minutesBooked at 84mins9SolankeSubstitutes
6Mepham7Brooks8Rothwell14Scott21Moore24Semenyo29Billing37Aarons42TraversReferee:Simon Hooper
Attendance:61,780
Live Text
Match ends, Tottenham Hotspur 3, Bournemouth 1.
Second Half ends, Tottenham Hotspur 3, Bournemouth 1.
Foul by Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (Tottenham Hotspur).
Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Offside, Bournemouth. Alex Scott is caught offside.
Attempt missed. David Brooks (Bournemouth) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Alex Scott.
Attempt blocked. Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Lewis Cook with a cross.
Corner, Bournemouth. Conceded by Eric Dier.
Attempt missed. Dominic Solanke (Bournemouth) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Marcos Senesi with a cross.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match because of an injury Marcus Tavernier (Bournemouth).
Alejo Véliz went off injured after Tottenham Hotspur had used all subs.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match because of an injury Alejo Véliz (Tottenham Hotspur).
Giovani Lo Celso (Tottenham Hotspur) is shown the yellow card.
Corner, Bournemouth. Conceded by Eric Dier.
Attempt saved. Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth) right footed shot from more than 35 yards is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Marcus Tavernier.
Corner, Bournemouth. Conceded by Emerson Royal.
Foul by Son Heung-Min (Tottenham Hotspur).
Alex Scott (Bournemouth) wins a free kick in the defensive half.