Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe: 'Tottenham Hotspur are title contenders'

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has claimed that Tottenham Hotspur are "genuine" challengers for the Premier League title this season.

Mauricio Pochettino's side stumbled in the closing stages of the 2015-16 campaign as they handed the crown to Leicester City.

The North London outfit are unbeaten in the league this season, and they inflicted defeat on leaders Manchester City with a 2-0 triumph at White Hart Lane earlier this month.

Currently, Tottenham are third in the table, just one point adrift of top spot ahead of Saturday's visit to the Vitality Stadium.

In Friday's press conference, Bournemouth boss Howe told reporters: "I think Tottenham are genuine title contenders. They have an outstanding manager who is one of the best.

"I think they play really good football but he main thing is their off the ball work. They are talented and have a good work ethic.

"In the home game we didn't handle their press well then in the away game we didn't perform, but we learnt so much from the games."

The Cherries are 11th in the standings after picking up 11 points from eight games.