Joao Palhinha stuns with bicycle kick as 3/10 horrific – Tottenham player ratings vs Bournemouth
Antoine Semenyo’s last-gasp winner saw Tottenham lose 3-2 against Bournemouth in the Premier League.
Spurs made a brilliant start to the game when Mathys Tel’s stunning low strike nestled into the bottom right corner.
Tel performed well in Tottenham’s 1-1 draw against Sunderland, and the Frenchman carried that form across to the South Coast, though the visitors were unable to build on their early advantage.
Evanlison’s looping header equalised proceedings in the 22nd minute, before Eli Junior Kroupi caught Frank’s side napping with a clever finish past Guglielmo Vicario.
Tottenham squandered multiple gilt-edged chances in the second half, but just when they thought Joao Palhinha’s stunning bicycle kick secured them a point, Antoine Semenyo scored an incredible last-gasp winner.
Mathys Tel with a lovely finish to give Spurs a dream start! 😍 pic.twitter.com/vZrE31jyWv
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 7, 2026
Rodrigo Bentancur was shocking vs Bournemouth
Rodrigo Bentancur has produced inconsistent performances for Tottenham this season, and the Uruguayan was shocking against Bournemouth.
The 28-year-old lacked purpose in possession, neither carrying the ball forward nor playing line-splitting passes to his teammates.
Bentancur was a passenger in midfield alongside Joao Palhinha, as he completed zero dribbles, lost possession X times and made no key passes.
Spurs fans have blasted Bentancur on multiple occasions in the past, and criticism towards the former Juventus man was valid in this contest.
Joao Palhinha rescues Tottenham
Palhinha returned to the starting lineup against Bournemouth, and the Portuguese international proved why he should be a permanent fixture.
Unsurprisingly, the Bayern Munich loanee locked down the midfield with his ball-winning qualities and ability to read danger.
But he also showcased his eye for the spectacular, and after scoring a bicycle kick in a Carabao Cup tie against Doncaster Rovers in September, he repeated the trick at the Vitality Stadium with another.
It was an exceptional piece of skill from Palhinha, who Spurs can permanently for £27million at the end of his loan, and they surely will trigger that agreement.
- Read More: Tottenham’s January transfer priority revealed as Radu Dragusin’s future hangs in the balance
Tottenham player ratings vs Bournemouth
Guglielmo Vicario – 4
Pedro Porro – 4
Cristian Romero – 7
Micky van de Ven – 7
Djed Spence – 5
Rodrigo Bentancur – 3
Joao Palhinha – 8
Lucas Bergvall – 6
Xavi Simons – 6
Mathys Tel – 7
Randal Kolo Muani – 5
Substitutes:
Wilson Odobert – 6
Richarlison – 6
Archie Gray – 5