Concern on the face of Eddie Howe, tipped as a potential replacement for Mauricio Pochettino should the Argentine be lured to Old Trafford...

Spurs in the ascendancy again as Harry Winks goes scampering forward.

Well, Bournemouth had briefly looked the more dangerous before that goal.

But Harry Kane almost picks out Kyle Walker-Peters at the back post and now Spurs look full of confidence.

First big chance at Wembley, and it goes Bournemouth's way.

David Brooks slipped Simon Francis in down the right and the full-back's lofted cross picked out the diminutive Ryan Fraser in space.

Fraser got a head to it, but struck team-mate Junior Stanislas on the goalline.

And Bournemouth go close again... Brooks just unable to get a toe on Jefferson Lerma's delivery!

Image source, AFP

Charlie Daniels has a face like someone just stole his favourite Christmas present - Ryan Fraser didn't read the left-back's deft flick and it skids harmlessly out of play.

Not quite sticking for either side at the moment.

Bournemouth have the chance to get a few passes in, and plenty of Cherries players touch the ball before Charlie Daniels' pass runs through to Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

The visitors are setting up in their own half, looking to make Tottenham break them down when in possession.

Heung-min Son is a man in form - he drops a shoulder and looks to accelerate beyond Steve Cook, but the defender just gets a toe on it and Spurs win a corner.

Christian Eriksen's delivery is easily cleared by the Bournemouth defence.

Interesting to see how Spurs set up here.

Harry Kane has just dropped off behind his own midfield, before looking to hit Danny Rose in a left wing position.

The England captain's pass kicks on into Asmir Begovic's arms.

Image source, Reuters

Good feet from David Brooks to win a free-kick on half-way, but that's really sloppy from Simon Francis as he plays a pass square straight into the path of Lucas Moura.

The Cherries do well to get men scrambling back behind the ball.

Callum Wilson manages to sneak in behind the Spurs defence early doors and the hosts have to switch on, but a composed Moussa Sissoko does well to turn it into a counter attack for his own side.

Lucas Moura looks to take down a diagonal Toby Alderweireld pass inside the Bournemouth box, but stumbles and that will be a goalkick.

Image source, Reuters

Bournemouth get us under way at Wembley.

Last chance to squeeze as many Christmas puns as possible into a live text this year, so bear with me...

Right, the teams are out at Wembley and it's almost time for kick-off...

The national stadium, unsurprisingly, looking far from full.

Jermaine Jenas
Former Tottenham midfielder

It has been so tight at the top between Liverpool and Manchester City until last weekend that many people were not talking about Tottenham as being contenders.

They are now.

Spurs have won 11 of their past 13 games in all competitions, and if they take maximum points from their next three matches over the festive period they are going to be even closer to at least one of the teams above them, because City host Liverpool on 3 January.

Image source, Reuters

Image source, PA

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino on his side's title prospects: "Two seasons ago when we were fighting [for the title] with Leicester we went to the end but the gap was so big.

"Now we are close but we need to be cautious, go step-by-step, game-by-game. We need to be conscious about that, we need to fight a lot, and... be consistent.

"Being involved in four competitions will be tough but are going to try."

• Tottenham are unbeaten in the league against Bournemouth, with five wins and a draw. Those matches have all been in the Premier League since the start of the 2015-16 season.
• Spurs have won all three home meetings in the Premier League without conceding.
• Bournemouth's only victory against Tottenham came in their inaugural meeting - an FA Cup tie in February 1957.

Image source, Reuters

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe on reports linking him as an eventual successor to Pochettino at Spurs: "Tottenham have an outstanding manager who is doing an unbelievable job. I do not pay it any attention whatsoever. It has got absolutely no relevance to me.

"I always manage like I'm going to be here for the next 100 years. It is absolutely foolish of me to think of anything other than this club. I am absolutely committed 100% to every minute here."

Mark Scott
Match of the Day commentator at Wembley

Image source, Getty Images

With an unwelcome topic for Tottenham fans dominating talk about the club recently, there's a much more agreeable subject up for debate following their demolition of Everton - and on current form Spurs surely do have to be considered title contenders.

While Mauricio Pochettino still sees Liverpool and Manchester City as "clear favourites", the festive fixtures give his side a chance to close in on at least one of them - although their demanding schedule will also make it difficult to maintain the "amazing energy" he was so delighted with on Sunday.

Eddie Howe has been tipped as a potential Pochettino successor, and with Bournemouth's much-needed win over Brighton moving the Cherries up to eighth, he says this is now a game "they can really attack".

Dele Alli is left out of Tottenham's squad to face Bournemouth after being substituted because of a hamstring problem during their 6-2 win at Everton on Sunday.

Mauricio Pochettino makes four changes to that side, with Lucas Moura replacing Alli.

Defenders Kyle Walker-Peters, Juan Foyth and Danny Rose come in for Kieran Trippier Davinson Sanchez and Ben Davies as Pochettino changes three of his back four.

Image source, BBC Sport

Eddie Howe makes one change to his Bournemouth side that beat Brighton last time out, bringing in Ryan Fraser for Joshua King.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Ho ho hold on a minute, Santa is a Spurs fan?

I'm sure those travelling up to Wembley from Bournemouth today will have something to say about that...

Anyway, are you all topped up on Christmas dinner leftovers? All played-out with your kids' new toys? Done making pleasantries with the in-laws?

Then let's crack straight on and have a gander at the teams...