Frank laments ´painful´ Bournemouth defeat as Spurs players clash with fans

Thomas Frank acknowledged Tottenham’s 3-2 defeat was extremely painful for everyone at the club, after several players were involved in confrontations with fans at full-time.

Antoine Semenyo scored a 95th-minute winner to cap what Andoni Iraola subsequently confirmed would be the winger’s final game for Bournemouth, condemning Spurs to a sixth defeat in their last 12 Premier League games.

Mathys Tel had put Frank’s team ahead before Evanilson and Junior Kroupi struck for Bournemouth, with Spurs unable to hold on for a point after Joao Palhinha made it 2-2.

Since the start of last season, only Wolves (36) have suffered more Premier League defeats than Tottenham’s 30, with that figure putting them level with West Ham and Southampton.

They are mired in 14th place in the table, closer to 17th-placed Nottingham Forest (six points) than they are to fourth-placed Liverpool (seven).

After the final whistle, Palhinha, Pedro Porro and Micky van de Ven were all seen to confront members of the travelling contingent, though Frank was careful not to pick any further fights with supporters when speaking to Sky Sports.

“I think the travelling fans were amazing today, their support throughout the game was very, very good,” he said.

“The players are frustrated, I’m frustrated, the fans are hurt, we’re all hurt.

“I think it is fair to say there have been ups and downs, but the last four performances have been strong and competitive. I definitely feel like I’ve been tested today.”

It was the first time Tottenham had lost a Premier League game due to a 90th-minute goal since November 2023, when they led Wolves 1-0 in the final minute of the 90 and suffered a 2-1 defeat.

“That’s football, unfortunately. It’s extremely painful to be on the Tottenham side after that game,” Frank added, speaking to BBC Match of the Day.

“We put everything into the game, the boys worked really hard, the staff worked so hard to come down here and try to get a result.

“We went 1-0 up, then conceded two second-phase goals – especially with the second one, we have to do much better.

“Then in the second half, the character and mentality, the focus to stay in the game and keep going against a difficult counter-attacking team… it was very pleasing to see.

“I thought we were closer to winning than Bournemouth were.”

With the January transfer window now open, Spurs fans are keen to see them bolster their ranks, and Frank is aware reinforcements are required.

“We are very much in the market and working very hard to do what we can to improve the squad,” he added. “January is a tough window and we only want to get players in if they improve the team.”