Bournemouth 3-2 Spurs | Thomas Frank’s verdict

Thomas Frank described an ‘extremely painful’ 3-2 loss against Bournemouth on Wednesday evening, after feeling we could take the victory ourselves after equalising late and creating the better chances – until the home side snatched it in added time at the Vitality.

Mathys Tel gave us the perfect start with a solo opener on five minutes only for the Cherries to hit back to lead through Evanilson (22 minutes) and Junior Kroupi (36).

We fought our way back – Richarlison hit the post, Joao Palhinha curled just wide and Micky van de Ven had a penalty awarded, then overturned by VAR, before Palhinha struck a spectacular overhead kick to level on 78 minutes. We were in the ascendancy and Dorde Petrovic somehow clawed van de Ven’s header from under the crossbar with five minutes of the 90 remaining.

However, it wasn’t to be as Antoine Semenyo, on his last appearance for Bournemouth before a move to City, drilled home the winner in the fifth minute of added time.

“It’s extremely painful tonight,” said Thomas. “The players worked so hard. We started the game well against always a difficult Bournemouth team. Then we are not aware enough and good enough in two second phase set pieces, especially the second one, we need to do better.

“I love the mentality, the belief and the character second half. We were completely on top. Even with hitting the inside of the post, missed chances, an overturned penalty, staying in there, sticking to the game plan, sticking to the right things, which we haven't done all the time when it's been a little bit difficult, and then we get the more than well-deserved equaliser.

“I think we are closer to win the game than Bournemouth are in that phase. Then to concede a late goal is very, very tough to take and accept. That's unfortunately margins in football.”

Asked how he felt when Semenyo’s shot hit the back of the net, Thomas replied: “My body is hurting definitely. The feeling of maybe going 3-2 up and then going 3-2 down, I can't describe that feeling, and in a situation where we are actually getting under the ball, but we don't keep the pressure, but they still shoot from a distance where I think, ‘okay, you can take that’, maybe one out of 20, and maybe he'll score one out of 20.

“No matter how painful it is, it's still a good performance. It's a good away performance, and one that gives us something to hang on to. But, of course, you need some points as well.”