Bournemouth beat Tottenham 3-2, Thomas Frank talks about that Arsenal coffee cup, and boos, while his players confront fans.
The Cherries produced a dramatic comeback victory, ending their 11-game winless Premier League run.
Mathys Tel had put Spurs in front after 5 minutes, before Evanilson (22′) and Eli Junior Kroupi (36′) had Bournemouth ahead.
João Palhinha’s stunning overhead kick made it 2-2 on 78 minutes, then Antoine Semenyo, who is reportedly set to join Man City, scored a spectacular 95th-minute winner.
The result sees Bournemouth up to 27 points and one behind 14th-placed Spurs, who remain winless in 10 of their last 12 league games under manager Thomas Frank.
Adding to Frank’s woes, he went viral on social media when he was photographed pre-match holding a coffee cup bearing Arsenal’s logo. Frank insisted he hadn’t noticed the branding.
Thomas Frank addresses why he was drinking out of an Arsenal cup before Bournemouth vs Spurs 👀🥤 pic.twitter.com/ED5gawXw0w
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 8, 2026
Thomas Frank said after the game regarding the coffee cup: “I definitely did not notice it. It would be completely stupid of me to take it if I knew.
“It’s a little bit sad in football that I need to be asked about it. I would never do something that stupid.
“I think we’re definitely going in the wrong direction if we need to worry about me having a cup with a logo of another club.”
According to BBC Sport, Frank was handed a coffee in a reusable cup bearing the Arsenal crest when he arrived at Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium. The cup was left behind by Arsenal during their Premier League visit just four days earlier.
Neither Frank nor the staff member noticed the emblem until after photos emerged. Frank then said it was an honest mistake, adding that it would be “completely stupid” to do intentionally.
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank, speaking to BBC MOTD: “That’s football unfortunately. It’s extremely painful to be on the Tottenham side after the game. We put everything into the game, the boys worked really hard, the staff worked hard to come down here and try and get a result.
“We went 1-0 up, conceded two second-phase goals – especially the second one, we have to do much better. Then the second half the character and mentality, the focus to stay in the game and keep going against a difficult counter-attacking team was very pleasing to see.
“I thought we were closer to winning than Bournemouth were.”
On the penalty that was awarded to Tottenham and then overturned: “I think it was a 50-50 situation.”
On the January transfer window: “We are very much in the market and working very hard to do what we can to improve the squad. January is a tough window and we only want to get players in if they improve the team.”
Frank, speaking to Sky Sports: “That is very, very difficult, really painful. The players put in everything. We started really well and went 1-0 up. I loved the mentality and character in the second half. There was one team out there and that was us. To concede a goal five minutes into extra time is just so painful. It’s very, very hard to take.
“The thing is we conceded four shots first half. No, I didn’t see our mentality slip away. We showed great mental strength. It’s unbelievably painful.
“The travelling fans were amazing today. They supported us throughout the game. The players are frustrated, I’m frustrated. We are all hurt, the fans are hurt. That’s absolutely natural. That’s why football is emotional. It’s just very painful for everyone involved with Tottenham today.”
Meanwhile, Cristian Romero called out the Tottenham board via social media: “Apologies to all fans of you who follow us everywhere, who are always there and will continue to be. We are responsible, there’s no doubt about that. But we will keep facing up to it and trying to turn the situation around, for ourselves and for the club.
“At times like this, it should be other people coming out to speak, but they don’t – as has been happening for several years now. They only show up when things are going well, to tell a few lies.
“We’ll stay here, working, sticking together and giving our all to turn things around. Especially at times like this, keeping quiet, working harder and moving forward all together, is part of football. All together, it will be easier.”
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: “We needed this one, we have been very close in the last games. Football can not every time go to the other side and today was the perfect moment, also for Antoine [Semenyo].
“To play the way he did, the commitment to help in whatever way until the last second. I think football has been fair and given him a lovely moment.”
Semenyo’s last game for Bournemouth? “I think it was, unluckily for us I think it was.
“He has been if not the best, one of the best I have coached. He has improved every single season. He has scored 10 goals in half a season and not even a number nine. It is not just the numbers but a lot of things – the physicality, the balls in the air and the defensive things. He will be a big miss.”
Iraola, speaking to Sky Sports: “In the last games we deserved it more but today we were the ones shooting from the edge and scoring. That was a lovely [moment] for Antoine. Sometimes football gives you these things. He has been top, he has given everything and been committed until the end. I think it is good football gives him back this moment.”
Was this Antoine Semenyo’s last game? “It looks like it yes. Obviously there is a medical and the formalities. I think it is going to be his last moments with us, yes.
“A top professional. We are not [only] losing an incredible player but one of the best players I have ever coached. He is a top guy, so full of energy and ready for whatever you need him. I am sure he will continue his development because he has improved every season with us.
“We know we are very thin in numbers but the club is also working. We will have to be patient in this January market. I hope we can add more players.
“I try to analyse and explain to the club and we have a very good relationship, they understand what we need but it is not easy in the January market because nobody wants to lose players.
“I am sure the club will try to sign the best players they can.”
Tottenham’s Joao Palhinha, speaking to Sky Sports: “The fans are showing their frustration. We understand that. We are trying to get victories we should deserve in my opinion. It’s tough to speak a lot about momentum because when you lose it just sounds like words.
“I just want to say keep supporting because the victories will come. It’s frustration as I said. I felt we were the best team on the pitch. We were the only team on the pitch that wanted to win the game. Football is like that. Tomorrow is another day. We need to keep pushing. We have been working hard to get wins.
“We came here to win. Today and tomorrow probably the hangover is going to be really tough, but in football we cannot think too much about what happened.”
It looked like words were exchanged with fans after the game?: “No, it was just the supporters sharing their frustration. We of course understand. We respect and we are fighting for all the same.
“We want to win – not just the players. The staff and the supporters. We are trying to get the victories, in my opinion, we deserve the last few games. And it’s tough to speak a lot about the momentum when you lose.”
Bournemouth’s Marcus Tavernier, speaking to Sky Sports: “In a way it is a relief [at winning].
“We’ve waited too long to feel this feeling again. It might not have been the prettiest of performances but we got the three points.”
On Antoine Semenyo’s fairytale winner: “Everyone reads a lot of the media and if that is to be his last involvement for Bournemouth there is no better way for it to go. That was the type of stuff you write in movies and no man deserves it more than him.
“He will be a big miss with his quality but also the person he is in the changing room.
“If that is to be his last moment we definitely have to find something else going forward.”
Twitter users gave their reaction after Bournemouth beat Tottenham 3-2, Thomas Frank talks about that Arsenal coffee cup, and boos, while his players confront fans…
@barry_kester: Our club is truly broken. Not by the current players and manager but by the years of mismanagement and atrocious appointments by the previous regime. It is going to take years to fix this mess.
@davydhackett: What player is honestly gonna want to come here spurs fans are now playing a very dangerous game
@HJJ92_: Some nerve footballers like this offering fans out after getting rightly criticised, when they’ve spent hard earned money travelling hundreds of miles on a Wednesday night to support them
@steelej27: There’s something about Bournemouth away.. Last year it was Ange getting abused, now Porro. Fucking shambles of a club
@CL1882: Van De Ven gesturing to meet fans outside. Some club. Blokes a knob
@ansonharries: When you see scenes like this you know it’s over for the manager and coaching staff. At this point I would say it’s over for the owners s well. Sell up and f@ck off #ENICOUT. #thfc
@_ethanthfc_: Grow a pair and actually talk to the fans. Sick of players “confronting fans” when all they do is say 1 thing then walk instead of actually communicating with them. This goes for the manager and players
@ClayWinstead: It just keeps getting worse. The relationship between the club and supporters feels antagonistic
@DavyW14: Let’s be honest the world’s best manager couldn’t do anything with this squad. We’re absolutely wick
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