Bournemouth striker Evanilson required five minutes to end Tottenham’s perfect defensive record this season as The Cherries took a surprise lead against opponents targeting top spot in the Premier League on Saturday.
Club record signing Evanilson collected Marcos Senesi’s perceptive low pass inside the box on the left and found the far corner of the net with a shot that deflected over goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario via a deflection off Spurs defender Cristian Romero.
“The Spurs defenders were looking for an offside decision but it looks like he’s onside,” former Southampton full-back Francis Benali told BBC Sport, watching as England newcomer Djed Spence’s position appeared to ensure Evanilson had not strayed.
“What a start for the visitors. This has certainly rocked the home supporters.”
You can follow live updates from the game here.
Bournemouth vs Tottenham: Visitors dominant
Bournemouth lost 4-2 at Liverpool in the first game of the 2025/26 season before Marcus Tavernier’s fourth-minute goal gave the Cherries victory at home to Wolves.
One of the surprise packages of last season, Andoni Iraola’s side dominated during the early stages against a Tottenham side who had won 3-0 at home to Burnley and 2-0 at Manchester City.
Evanilson and Antoine Semenyo had chances to double the lead for a team unbeaten on their last six trips to London.
“Bournemouth have had a fantastic start to this game,” said Benali, adding that regaining possession immediately was “clearly a plan” for Iraola.
“I can remember coaches saying the first few seconds are crucial. As soon as you lose the ball, you’ve got a split second or two to win it back instantly. Bournemouth do that particularly well.”
Tottenham team vs Bournemouth
Tottenham remained without several key players.
Midfielder Yves Bissouma, who has yet to feature this season amid fitness and disciplinary issues, missed out again, while winger Dejan Kulusevski (knee), defender Radu Dragusin and playmaker James Maddison (both knee), centre-back Kota Takai (foot) and wideman Bryan Gil (knee) were all sidelined.
Full-back Destiny Udogie (knee) and winger Manor Solomon (calf) had been doubts but were on the bench in an unchanged side, with forwards Brennan Johnson and Richarlison bidding to become the first Spurs players to record a goal or assist in each of the opening three games of a Premier League season.
Tottenham starting XI: Vicario, Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence, Sarr, Joao Palhinha, Bentancur, Kudus, Richarlison, Johnson
Tottenham substitutes: Kinsky, Danso, Udogie, Davies, Gray, Bergvall, Tel, Solomon, Odobert
Bournemouth team vs Spurs
Bournemouth defender Julian Araujo served a suspension following his red card against Brentford in the EFL Cup on Tuesday.
Adam Smith came in at right-back, but forward Enes Unal and midfielder Lewis Cook (both knee) remain unavailable until after the international break.
After rotating heavily for the 2-0 EFL Cup home defeat, Iraola restored several of his regular starters.
Bournemouth starting XI: Petrovic, Smith, Diakite, Senesi, Truffert, Adams, Brooks, Scott, Tavernier, Semenyo, Evanilson
Bournemouth substitutes: Dennis, Adli, Faivre, Christie, Kluivert, Kroupi JR, Gannon-Doak, Soler, Hill
Is Tottenham vs Bournemouth on TV?: Live stream, channel
Kick-off on Saturday was at 15:00 BST (10:00 ET / 07:00 PT). This match will not be shown on live TV in the UK.
