Bournemouth beat nine-man Tottenham to heap more misery on Mauricio Pochettino’s side and put their top-four hopes in jeopardy.
South Korea forward Son Heung-min received his marching order in the closing minutes of the first half for a needless push, while substitute, Juan Foyth saw red for a studs-up lunge two minutes after coming on.
Despite that, the North London team looked like they were going to see off the match and hold on for a point but a late Nathan Ake’s strike ended their resistance and condemned them to the seventh consecutive away loss in the premier league.
It makes for an even worse reading when you consider that fourth place Chelsea could go above Spurs if they win against Watford while Arsenal can go within a point if they win at home to Brighton.
“Of course it is difficult to get something positive. We made a massive effort,” said Pochettino.
“We need to move on. We have ahead two finals. It is in our hands. If it does not happen we will be proud because nobody expected Tottenham to be in the position they are today.”
If their two rivals win their games, then Tottenham will need to beat Everton next Sunday to be sure of qualification for next season’s Champions League
In the middle of that, they also have to visit Ajax in midfield as they try to overcome a first leg deficit.
“We are fighting six teams. It’s impossible for all six to get the top four, whatever happens, I will feel proud and whatever happens in the semi-final I will be proud,” added the Argentine.
Pochettino didn’t rest any of his key players ahead of the trip to Amsterdam, with Son, Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen, Moussa Sissoko and Lucas Moura all starting, although Jan Vertonghen was absent after his head injury in midweek.