The striker scored his 20th and 21st goal of the Premier League season as Spurs closed the gap on the title favourite to five points, with Christian Eriksen adding a third

Harry Kane scored twice as Tottenham cruised to a convincing 3-0 win over Bournemouth and moved back to within five points of Premier League leaders Leicester City.

Kane moved clear at the top of the Premier League scoring charts as he put the hosts into a commanding two-goal lead in the opening 15 minutes, before Christian Eriksen added a third just after half-time.

With Arsenal having closed the gap to three points by beating Everton on Saturday, a strong start was vital and Kane drilled home with just 43 seconds on the clock, before doubling his tally 15 minutes later.

Bournemouth came out fighting in the second half, but the result was swiftly put beyond all doubt as Eriksen capitalised on an error from Artur Boruc to tap-in from close range.

Eddie Howe's side were condemned to their first defeat on the road in 2016 while victory for Spurs – who face Liverpool and Manchester United after the international break – sees them keep pace with Leicester.

Bournemouth had taken the lead in the first minute in the reverse fixture, but it was Tottenham who struck first on this occasion when Kane turned home Kyle Walker's superb cross.

That strike took Kane to the top of the scoring charts, and the striker did not have to wait much longer to rack up a 21st goal of the season as he ran in behind Bournemouth's defence to tuck home an Alli pass.

Pochettino's side believed they had got a third when Alli drove home on the half-volley from close-range, but the strike was disallowed as Kane had strayed offside in the build-up.

Steve Cook headed just over the crossbar as Bournemouth finally managed a meaningful attack shortly before the interval, while Eriksen narrowly missed Kane's cross-cum-shot at the other end.

In a bid to haul his side back into proceedings, Howe made two changes at the interval, introducing Lewis Grabban and Eunan O'Kane in place of Benik Afobe and Harry Arter.

Despite some promising play from the visitors, Tottenham finally got their third seven minutes after the break as Boruc spilled Kane's long-range strike straight into the path of Eriksen, who duly tapped home.

Alli would have put further gloss on another fine individual display had he not skewed a gilt-edged chance wide as Spurs pressed home dominance which saw Bournemouth fail to register a shot on target.

•  

   

  Full-time at White Hart Lane. Tottenham close the gap on Leicester at the top of the table to five points after brushing aside Bournemouth in a highly professional performance which earned them a 3-0 win at home. Harry Kane was typically involved for the hosts and netted twice, with the first coming in the very first minute of play, while the third was scored by Christian Eriksen. Beware, the Foxes, as Spurs are in the hunt! Thanks for joining us, see you next time!
• 90'

   

  SubstitutionEric Dier Nacer Chadli
  Another time-wasting change from Pochettino here and it sees Nacer Chadli being given a small cameo appearance, with Dier leaving the pitch to a standing ovation from the White Hart Lane faithful. Another highly impressive run-out from the former Sporting Lisbon youngster.
• 88'

   

  WHAT AN EFFORT FROM KANE! The only thing missing from this Tottenham performance this afternoon has been the currently elusive hat-trick for the England international, who is left frustrated when his long-range attempt is flashed wide of the left-hand post.
• 86'

   

  SAVE AGAIN FROM BORUC! Kane fails to get on the end of a low cross to the front post, with possession eventually falling loosely to Eriksen. The Dane smashes a drilled half-volley low towards the centre of the goal from a tight angle, but the former Celtic goalkeeper is on hand to get down and make the block with his feet! How did that one not go in?!
• 84'

   

  Mason gets involved in the action positively just moments after coming on as he opens up his stride down the left wing with a gliding run before lashing a left-footed strike aimed towards the far corner. Boruc shows a much better command of the ball this time, though, and gets across the goal to make the solid save.
• 82'

   

  SubstitutionBamidele Alli Ryan Mason
  Unfortunately for Dele Alli, that miss will be his last contribution to the match as he is being withdrawn for Ryan Mason. The youngster coming off shouldn't dwell on the spurned chance too much, though, as he has once again been outstanding beyond his years this afternoon. What a player England and Tottenham have on their hands.
• 80'

   

  OHH WHAT A POOR MISS FROM ALLI! Eriksen leaves two Bournemouth defenders for dead with a cracking bit of skill on the edge of the area before moving forward and squaring perfectly for the 19-year-old, but his subsequent strike on goal is fluffed wide of the left-hand post! He is usually so composed in situations like that, but not on this occasion.
• 78'

   

  Grabban, who has been extremely quiet since entering the action at the break, finally bursts into life with a marauding run down the right wing before hitting the byline, but the most Bournemouth can get from the attack is a corner kick as Dier blocks the cross at the front post. Much better from the Cherries as they at least force Spurs into defensive action.
• 76'

   

  Alli, to Kane, to Eriksen, and so on and so forth. It was mentioned previously that Surman had covered more ground than anyone else in the league so far this season, and he certainly hasn't done anything to sabotage that record this afternoon as he has been chasing around constantly trying to win the ball back.
• 74'

   

  This is all a bit of a training session for Pochettino's men, who are practicing their passing drills with some well put-together little triangles in the final third. Right out of the coaches handbook, that one, and there's no better place to practice when at home and three goals up.
• 72'

   

  Not much happening in the second period at the moment as Spurs are more than content to allow Bournemouth some possession as we approach the latter stages of the match. As mentioned previously, the hosts today have the best defensive record in the league, so it is probably a bit too much to ask for the Cherries to score three in 20 minutes...
• 70'

   

  SubstitutionMax-Alain Gradel Marc Pugh
  Third and final change from Eddie Howe here as Marc Pugh attempts to put in a good display for 20 minutes or so at the expense of Gradel, who has displayed moments of quality without really shining like he has in recent matches.
• 68'

   

  We get our first glimpse of Carroll since coming on as he receives the ball to feet inside the centre circle before drilling a precise pass out to the left wing for Alli. It looks like in the absence of Lamela, the former MK Dons man has been deployed out wide with Eriksen moving into the centre.
• 66'

   

  SubstitutionErik Lamela Tom Carroll
  First change of the match from Pochettino now and the scoreline means the Argentine boss can utilise his squad and give players a rest without much worry. Entering the action is talented young midfielder, Tom Carrol, who made his senior debut against Bournemouth for Leyton Orient, entering the action to replace Lamela.
• 64'

   

  Spurs are just taking a bit of a breather at the moment as they see out the remaining portion of this match, hopefully for them without much incident. Bournemouth are losing their desire to press forward trying to win possession as the game was basically dead and buried when Eriksen netted the third goal for the capital club.
• 62'

   

  Wimmer, who has been outstanding since coming into the team to replace the injured Vertonghen a few months back, looks to have picked up a knock of his own here as he goes down at the left touchline after being taken out off the ball by King. Not a malicious challenge by any means, but it was more the way the Austrian went down.
• 60'

   

  One-third of the match remaining now and it is tough to see where Bournemouth go from here as if they press ahead with a lot of intensity trying to get some goals back, then Spurs are certain to pick them off on the counter. On the other hand, Howe always encourages his charges to get forward and get involved in an attacking capacity.
• 58'

   

  Yellow Card Simon Francis
  First yellow card of the match now and it is a deserved one for Francis as he cynically brings down Kane on the halfway line, who looked poised to catalyse a Spurs counterattack forward. Always full of energy, the Tottenham attacker.
• 56'

   

  Ritchie, who has been quiet this afternoon on that right wing for Bournemouth, finds a moment of possession a yard in from the touchline before before popping  a lovely diagonal pass in behind the Tottenham defence for Gradel, but the home side trigger the offside trap well and the Ivorian is penalised for being ahead of the play.
• 54'

   

  That goal will probably prove to be a hammerblow to the confidence of the Cherries here, who started the second period so well only to eventually concede moments later after a mistake from Boruc. Under Howe they never give up, of course, but this game is damage limitations now.
• 52'

   

   

   

  Goal Christian Dannemann Eriksen
  GOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLL FOR TOTTENHAM! Bournemouth's resurgence lasts all of three minutes! Kane receives the ball to feet around 25 yards out and smashes a dipping strike towards goal which is palmed back into the danger area by Boruc. Eriksen is on hand to pounce and pass into the empty net on the rebound! Three-nil, but poor goalkeeper from the Pole!
• 50'

   

  Pochettino's outfit haven't started the second period too well, which is the complete polar opposite of their display in the opening few minutes of the game itself when they went ahead very early on. Some credit has to be given to Bournemouth though who look energised after their half-time break.
• 48'

   

  Tottenham move forward in a sweeping counterattack, with all the usual suspects involved in some form of another. The move ends with Walker, who lashes an attempt at goal from the right channel which is dragged wide of the left-hand post. There was probably better options there for the Spurs right-back.
• 46'

   

  SubstitutionHarry Arter Eunan O'Kane
  Confirmation of O'Kane replacing Arter.
• 46'

   

  SubstitutionBenik Afobe Lewis Grabban
  A double-change to report at the break which is not really a surprise from Eddie Howe. Entering the action is Lewis Grabban and Eunan O'Kane in place of Benik Afobe and Harry Harter, both of whom didn't have the most productive of first halves.
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  We are back under way at White Hart Lane!
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  Half-time at White Hart Lane. Tottenham put in one of their more impressive performances of the season and enjoy total first-half domination as they go into the break 2-0 up against Bournemouth. No prizes for guessing who found the net, as Harry Kane records his 19th and 20th league goals of the season to sink the Cherries, who have a lot of work to do to save this game. The Spurs striker, along with his partner in crime, Alli, have been on top form. Second period to come.
• 44'

   

  OHHH SO VERY CLOSE FOR ERIKSEN! Kane and Alli link-up effectively once again with a couple of short passes on the edge of the box, with the former eventually firing a cross-cum-shot along the box. The Dane attempts to get on the end of it to turn into the empty net, but can't stretch out his leg enough to make the required contact.
• 42'

   

  Dembele really has seen a resurgence this season under the tutelage of Pochettino and has a certain commanding presence about him when playing in that deeper central area now. On this occasion, he shows an impressive display of strength when he ushers Gradel off the ball just in front of the dugout to win possession back for the hosts.
• 40'

   

  Gradel is tasked with a free kick deep down the left wing and steps up to whip the set-piece dangerously into the six-yard area. Cook, who has two goals in his last three games for the Cherries, attempts to add another to the tally with a glancing header, but it ends up going the wrong side of the right-hand post. He probably should be scoring that!
• 38'

   

  GOOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLL FOR SPURS! WAIT! NO! OFFSIDE! Pochettino's men nearly take the game completely beyond Bournemouth as Alli runs in behind the defence after a pass from Kane to lash a superb finish into the corner. However, the centre-forward was offside as he provided the pass to his team-mate, which triggers the linesman to raise his flag.
• 36'

   

  Ritchie exchanges a short corner with Afobe and receives the ball back to feet before standing a cross deep towards the far corner. King rises high attempting to get on the end of it, but it is just too high for him which allows Walker to step in and usher the ball behind for a Spurs goal kick.
• 34'

   

  Eriksen, who has not scored at home for nearly three months, stands over a free kick down the right channel and subsequently steps up before rifling the wicked set-piece teasingly into the six-yard box. Dier is sniffing around, attempting to deflect an attempt on goal, but he Cherries defend well to eventually smuggle possession out of the danger area.
• 32'

   

  Kane, who is now on a hat-trick after his first-half exploits, is clearly oozing with confidence at the moment and goes for his third goal of the match with a cheeky attempt at goal from a tight angle. Certainly well-struck, but Boruc is well-positioned to make the block without much incident as Bournemouth eventually manage to clear.
• 30'

   

  Eddie Howe will be worried that today's performance may stem from the fact that a lot of commentators have suggested Bournemouth are safe from relegation following their recent series of good results. Such a mindset is dangerous towards the end of the season, and the Cherries boss will be aiming to eradicate it if that is indeed the case.
• 28'

   

  Dier receives the ball to feet in acres of space inside the centre circle and moves forward unopposed before going for goal with a long-range strike. He pulls the trigger with a low, powerful attempt, but Boruc isn't forced into making the save as Surman charges the shot down at the edge of the box.
• 26'

   

  We are just beyond the midway point of the first half at White Hart Lane and Tottenham's lead looks to be very comfortable at the moment, with Lloris in between the sticks for the hosts barely called into any kind of meaningful action. A cracking defence in front of the Frenchman, too, though.
• 24'

   

  This game has been a bit of a Sunday afternoon stroll for Spurs so far, as they have barely broke a swat to gain their two-goal lead. Bournemouth have been terrific in recet weeks, but today's action suggests they might be getting a little fatigued as we approach the business end of the season. Still plenty of time to turn this around if they can find he means, though.
• 22'

   

  King, who has been in decent goalscoring form recently, works the right channel well by getting on he end of a speculative ball towards the corner flag from Smith. The former Blackburn striker holds the ball up effectively, but eventually succumbs to the Spurs numbers at the back and surrenders possession to Danny Rose.
• 20'

   

  Arter and Surman in the middle of the park for Bournemouth are usually dogged in the way they press and hustle the opposition, but this afternoon they can't get anywhere near Alli, Dier, and Dembele who are effortlessly bossing those central areas. Perhaps Howe should look at sticking an extra man back in midfield?
• 18'

   

  When Tottenham, and Kane and Alli in particular, are in form like this they can comfortably go up against anyone in this league. They look like they are going to score any time they go forward, which is a testament to the attacking ambition Pochettino installs in his teams. Great to watch.
• 16'

   

  Assist Bamidele Alli
  Alli continues to impress despite his young years, as he picks out Kane with a penetrating pass to go on and score.
• 16'

   

   

   

  Goal Harry Kane
  GOOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLLL FOR SPURS! AND IT IS HARRY KANE AGAIN! Alli collects the ball in a useful position in the middle of the park and turns sharply before sliding a perfect pass in behind the Cherries' defence for his team-mate, who lashes a quite brilliant left-footed finish into the bottom right corner! Two-nil!
• 13'

   

  Walker has started the match excellently at right-back, and recorded that early assist for Kane. This time, though, he attempts to become the man to finish off the chance with a stinging strike at goal from all of 30 yards, but unfortunately for him, it goes high and wide over the bar.
• 11'

   

  Fair play to the Cherries as they have calmed down a lot since going a goal behind, and look a lot more confident with their passing play out of the back. Two teams with similar philosophies this afternoon as Pochettino and Howe both love to advise their player to press high up the park, with the latter utilising Kane and Alli to great affect. Interestingly, though, it is Bournemouth's Andrew Surman who has covered the most ground in the Premier League this season.
• 9'

   

  Bournemouth have proved that they are definitely capable of competing at this level this season, and actually have one of the best away records in the league. However, they face a momentous task to get back into this as today they are up against the most solid defence out of the 20 Premier League outfits.
• 7'

   

  The Argentine boss has regularly switched around his full-backs this season, but it is indeed the arguable first-choice pairing of Rose and Walker who feature today, with the latter already having had a massively positive impact on proceedings. That duo are just so vital in providing width to this Spurs side.
• 5'

   

  The atmosphere at White Hart Lane was already vibrant pre-match, but the Tottenham fans are taking the roof off the place now after taking the lead so early. Pochettino has his charges up for this match to a really high degree, which is probably as a response to their dismal exit from the Europa League at the hands of Dortmund on Thursday.
• 3'

   

  Well, we can finally catch our breath now after than intense opening couple of minutes of play. Bournemouth need to keep extremely compact at the back at the moment as Spurs are full of confidence going forward after that incredibly early goal, which was Kane's 20th league goal of the season. Not bad!
• 1'

   

  Assist Kyle Walker
  Assist Kyle Walker
• 1'

   

   

   

  Goal Harry Kane
  GOOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLLLL FOR SPURS! WHAT A START FOR THE HOSTS! Walker makes his way down the right wing with authority before swinging a teasing cross into the area, which is subsequently turned into the bottom left corner by Kane! One-nil! Incredible!
• 1'

   

  We are under way at White Hart Lane!
•  

   

  Bournemouth subs: Federici, Distin, Elphick, Gosling, O'Kane, Pugh, Grabban.
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  Bournemouth (4-4-2): Boruc; Smith, Cook, Francis, Daniels; Ritchie, Arter, Surman, Gradel; King, Afobe.
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  Tottenham subs: Vorm, Trippier, Walker-Peters, Carroll, Chadli, Mason, Son.
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  Tottenham (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Walker, Alderweireld, Wimmer, Rose; Dembele, Dier; Lamela, Alli, Eriksen; Kane.
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  TEAM NEWS...
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  Bournemouth, rather impressively for a promoted team, have lost just one of their last nine away league matches, winning four and drawing the other four in the process. Even with this good form, though, they will still be wary of the fact that in their previous match against Spurs at the Vitality Stadium in October, the capital-club ran out comprehensive 5-1 winners.
•  

   

  Tottenham's biggest goal threat this season has typically been Harry Kane, who has scored eight goals in his last nine league games, taking his tally to 19 in total for the campaign. Such a prolific centre-forward would certainly be desired by Bournemouth, as their top goalscorer this season is Callum Wilson, who has scored five goals but has been injured since September. However, the burden to find the net has been shared throughout the squad, as 13 separate players have scored in the Premier League this season for the Cherries.
•  

   

  Pochettino's charges may be riding high near the top of their domestic league, but they will need to display some mental strength in order to recover from their miserable exit from the Europa League during the week when they were outclassed in a 5-1 aggregate defeat to Borussia Dortmund. The Argentine boss fielded weakened sides for both legs in that tie, though, so it is fairly clear that his priorities lie with the league.
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  Spurs are currently second in the table with 58 points taken from 30 matches, which is eight points behind the Foxes in top position. Today's match is indeed their game in hand though, so they can close the gap on the league toppers if they can claim all three points against Bournemouth this afternoon. The Cherries, meanwhile, are loftily positioned in 13th place on 38 points, and can probably begin to breathe a sigh of relief, with their Premier League status basically sealed for next year.
•  

   

  If it wasn't for the impeccable resurgence of Leicester City from relegation candidates to potential champions this season, there would certainly be more headline room awarded to Mauricio Pochettino and Eddie Howe for the jobs they have did in their respective roles this year. For the first time in recent memory, Tottenham are still in with a shout of being crowned as league winners at this stage of the season, while Bournemouth, in their maiden Premier League adventure, have all but sealed their status in the top flight for next season, with plenty of games to spare.
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  Good afternoon football fans! Welcome to LIVE coverage of the Barclays Premier League clash between Tottenham and Bournemouth from White Hart Lane.