Ange Postecoglou praised the mentality of his Tottenham team after the North Londoners battled back from two goals down to draw with Bournemouth.
Spurs were second best for much of the contest, with captain Heung-min Son admitting the side are low on confidence after a challenging campaign. Postecoglou was critical of his side after a disappointing defeat at AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League on Thursday night and Spurs were little better this weekend.
Bournemouth took the lead through Marcus Tavernier, as Milos Kerkez capitalised on a slack pass from Pedro Porro to charge forward and tee up the winger. The Spurs fans voiced their unhappiness with boos at half-time and the atmosphere got worse when Bournemouth doubled their lead through Evanilson.
Spurs hit back instantly as Pape Sarr’s intended cross looped over Kepa and in off the far post. Bournemouth looked the likelier side to score the fourth goal, but a foul from Kepa on Son handed Spurs a spot-kick. The South Korean confidently dinked his effort down the middle to rescue a fortunate point for Spurs.
“At 2-0 we had a bit of a mountain to climb. It was a chaotic game today and the boys showed a real mentality,” Postecoglou reflected to Sky Sports.
“It would have been really easy at 2-0, with the atmosphere in the stadium, to let it slip away from us but they fought hard and got themselves back in the game.
“It was a different kind of struggle for us today. Bournemouth pressed really well and we were really sloppy with the ball at times which allowed them to pin us back. It wasn’t anything like Thursday but we hung in there.
“There is definitely a sense of nervousness there. We are getting players back who have been out quite a while. We’ve been keen to get [Cristian] Romero back and his first pass shows he’s not played for three months. Some of it is just anxiety and nervousness which we need to get under control.
“I think Micky van de Ven, Dom and Romero are quality players and we’ve hardly had them all year. It gives the team a bit of a boost to see them out there. It would have been a fairly deflating feeling had we not [got back into it]. It gives us and the players some understanding that when we stay strong and we can overcome whatever kind of struggle we have.
“I don’t preach from the altar. People are allowed to feel the way they do. Playing away at AZ they certainly helped their team and we’d like to think on Thursday we will make it just as hostile for the opposition.”
