Match ends, Tottenham Hotspur 1, Bournemouth 0.
Tottenham recorded their first Premier League victory at Wembley as Christian Eriksen's second-half winner saw off a resolute Bournemouth.
Having picked up maximum points from their four league games on the road this season, it was Spurs' first win in four attempts at their temporary home.
Bournemouth's back five stifled Spurs in the first half, but Eriksen gave the hosts the lead immediately after the break with a smart left-footed finish.
Jermain Defoe almost levelled against his old side after coming off the bench, but Hugo Lloris was equal to the striker's low effort.
It was Tottenham captain Lloris' second big save of the match after Eric Dier nearly turned a Bournemouth corner into his own net in the first half.
Asmir Begovic was kept busier at the other end, but got the better of Harry Kane on several occasions in a frustrating afternoon for the England striker.
Spurs off the mark at Wembley
Tottenham's struggles in the league at Wembley have been well documented and, an important Champions League victory against Borussia Dortmund aside, Spurs are yet to really impress at their temporary home.
Defeat to champions Chelsea in the opening game at Wembley and draws with Burnley and Swansea have seen Spurs struggle to break down sides that looked to sit behind the ball and make it difficult for the hosts.
Eddie Howe's Bournemouth are more renowned for their expansive football, but the visitors set up with a back five and it looked like Tottenham's frustrations at the national stadium might continue.
But, having started with a back four, Mauricio Pochettino changed to a back three after the break and it worked almost instantly as Eriksen linked up with Son Heung-min to score what proved the winner.
The Dane then forced Cherries goalkeeper Begovic into a fine save with another well-hit effort from the edge of the box, as Spurs exploited the space left as Bournemouth looked for an equaliser.
It could have been a more comfortable win, but for Begovic twice denying Kane from close range within the space of a few seconds.
Two Harrys in the spotlight
Tottenham striker Kane has been prolific in 2017 and 15 goals for club and country so far this campaign have seen the England man's name added to the shortlist for the Ballon d'Or.
Kane said earlier this year it was his "dream" to be crowned the best player in the world, but the 24-year-old was well-marshalled by a trio of Steve Cook, Nathan Ake and Simon Francis at the heart of Bournemouth's defence.
The striker did have the ball in the net when he headed Kieran Trippier's cross past Begovic, but was well offside.
It was testament to Kane that he managed to muster six shots on goal under such scrutiny, but those were largely half chances and goalkeeper Begovic was equal to him on the rare moments his defence had not been.
Namesake Winks won his first senior England cap under the stewardship of Kane in the win over Lithuania last week, drawing to the attention of a wider audience the potential that has excited Spurs fans.
Tottenham boss Pochettino has nicknamed the 21-year-old "Little Iniesta" - after Barcelona and Spain playmaker Andres - and the youngster showed a similar ability to link defence with attack as he found the target with 94.5% of his 73 passes.
Winks could have added gloss to Spurs' win in stoppage time, but fired over with the goal gaping after substitute Georges-Kevin Nkoudou had been taken down by the onrushing Begovic.
Cherries impress but to no avail
Bournemouth find themselves in the midst of a relegation battle with only bottom-placed Crystal Palace bearing a worse record than Howe's side this campaign.
But the Cherries boss will have taken plenty of positives from their performance in the capital, with the visitors sticking resolutely to their game plan in the first half.
Eriksen's goal meant Howe had to throw on attacking reinforcements, and substitutes Jordon Ibe and Defoe combined to almost bring them level.
Defoe, playing against the club where he is fifth on the all-time scoring charts, offered an alternative to the strong running and hold-up play of Joshua King as he turned smartly in the box to force Lloris into a fine save.
But the visitors were unable to keep up that intensity and came away empty handed from a game they will feel they may well have snatched a point.
Man of the match - Christian Eriksen (Tottenham)
'Stop asking me about Wembley!'
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino: "The team played well. It was difficult to find the space. We had a lot of time on the ball but could not break down the opponent.
"In the second half we found better positions and moved the ball quickly, it was much better. We are always suffering if you don't score the second goal. It was good, not great, but enough to win the three points.
"I am delighted we have won but it is impossible to stop you asking me about Wembley."
Bournemouth defender Nathan Ake: "We came with a gameplan and we executed it well. We just lost the game. They only got in once and they scored.
"We have more stability with three at the back, we were compact and it worked well.
"In the last few games we have been playing better but we have to pick up points. We could have got away with a draw today."
Kane equals unwanted Shearer record
- Bournemouth directed just one shot on target in the game, something they last managed in a Premier League match last April, against Spurs.
- Christian Eriksen has scored three goals in his past five Premier League games, as many as in his previous 24.
- Harry Kane has failed to score in his first four home Premier League games of the season, despite scoring six goals overall. The only other player to do this was Alan Shearer in '93-94.
- Kane has now mustered 28 shots in home league games this season without scoring, with 10 of them on target.
- Spurs have kept four clean sheets in their past five Premier League games after keeping just one in the seven before that.
- The Cherries have managed just one clean sheet in their past 11 top-flight games.
What's next?
Tottenham travel to the Bernabeu to face European champions Real Madrid on Tuesday, kick-off 19:45 BST, before Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool visit Wembley a week on Sunday (16:00).
Bournemouth, meanwhile, travel to Stoke City in the Premier League for a 15:00 kick-off next Saturday.
Line-ups
Tottenham
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Lloris
- 2Trippier
- 6D Sánchez
- 4Alderweireld
- 5VertonghenBooked at 84mins
- 15Dier
- 29Winks
- 23Eriksen
- 20AlliSubstituted forNkoudouat 90+3'minutesSubstituted forat 90+6'minutes
- 7Son Heung-minSubstituted forSissokoat 75'minutes
- 10KaneSubstituted forLlorenteat 85'minutes
Substitutes
- 13Vorm
- 14Nkoudou
- 17Sissoko
- 18Llorente
- 21Foyth
- 24Aurier
- 37Walker-Peters
Bournemouth
Formation 3-5-1-1
- 27BegovicBooked at 90mins
- 2Francis
- 3S CookBooked at 27mins
- 5Aké
- 15A SmithBooked at 38minsSubstituted forIbeat 75'minutes
- 16L CookSubstituted forMoussetat 83'minutes
- 6Surman
- 19StanislasSubstituted forDefoeat 75'minutes
- 11Daniels
- 4Gosling
- 17King
Substitutes
- 1Boruc
- 7Pugh
- 8Arter
- 9Afobe
- 18Defoe
- 31Mousset
- 33Ibe
- Referee:
- Robert Madley
- Attendance:
- 73,502
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home73%
- Away27%
- Shots
- Home18
- Away5
- Shots on Target
- Home6
- Away1
- Corners
- Home9
- Away5
- Fouls
- Home9
- Away7
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Tottenham Hotspur 1, Bournemouth 0.
Post update
Attempt saved. Christian Eriksen (Tottenham Hotspur) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Post update
Georges-Kévin Nkoudou went off injured after Tottenham Hotspur had used all subs.
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Post update
Delay in match Georges-Kévin Nkoudou (Tottenham Hotspur) because of an injury.
Booking
Asmir Begovic (Bournemouth) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Georges-Kévin Nkoudou (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Asmir Begovic (Bournemouth).
Substitution
Substitution, Tottenham Hotspur. Georges-Kévin Nkoudou replaces Dele Alli.
Post update
Attempt missed. Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Moussa Sissoko following a fast break.
Post update
Foul by Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur).
Post update
Jordon Ibe (Bournemouth) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Corner, Tottenham Hotspur. Conceded by Steve Cook.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Kieran Trippier.
Post update
Corner, Tottenham Hotspur. Conceded by Andrew Surman.
Post update
Offside, Bournemouth. Lys Mousset tries a through ball, but Jermain Defoe is caught offside.
Substitution
Substitution, Tottenham Hotspur. Fernando Llorente replaces Harry Kane.
Booking
Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham Hotspur) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham Hotspur).
Comments
Join the conversation
Son 20+ goals
Alli 20+ goals
Eriksen in double figures
"If Kane doesn't score, who else will for Spurs?"
Muppet :)
Bring on Tuesday and Real Madrid!
COYS
Should've scored more in the second half and arguably had decent enough chances in first but not complaining. Chelsea and United both dropping points also a big positive.
COYS
Well played to Bournemouth.They never came and parked the bus.
Neither did they play anti-football.
Unlike Man U earlier today..The most negative display i have ever witnessed from a team who started the day and will finish it in 2nd position.
COYS
They all came to shut up shop in complete fear of getting hammered
Another three points for Spurs who if they strengthen in January will have a good chance of runners up.
An ugly win is still a win before the big CL game.
It made for a poor match with little in the way of entertainment
It was also important for Spurs to break the Wembley hoodoo
Thanks to Eriksen’s creativity & Lloris for some superb goalkeeping the points were always safe
However there will always be games like this & all that matters is 3 points