Cherries boss Eddie Howe's misery was confirmed as he saw on-loan midfielder Jack Wilshere forced off injured in the closing stages.
And Vincent Janssen's first Premier League goal from open play wrapped up a solid win in injury-time.
FACTS, STATS, GOALS AND LOLS
TOTTENHAM raced out of the blocks early and Harry Kane saw a ferocious volley deflected wide by Steve Cook and Mousa Dembele had a thunderous shot saved by Artur Boruc.
SIMON FRANCIS was left red faced after allowing a ball to go out for what he thought was a Bournemouth goal-kick but ref Michael Oliver awarded a corner – and Christian Eriksen’s flag kick found its way to Mousa Dembele in acres of space to open the scoring.
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England star Kane drives home left footed for 3-0Credit: Reuters
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Mousa Dembele struck early to put Tottenham aheadCredit: Getty Images
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Son Heung-min continued his fine form with the secondCredit: Reuters
IS Son Heung-Min the South Korean Pele? He ran through to score his eight goal in his last five games and is absolute on fire for Tottenham right now.
HOW Spurs were not 4-0 or 5-0 up was anyone’s guess. Christian Eriksen and Son Heung-Min either had shots save by Boruc or were off target. It was a truly dominant Spurs performance.
MOST managers would be delighted to see their team 2-0 up and totally in control of the game at half-time but Mauricio Pochettino stormed down the tunnel not looking impressed.
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Vincent Janssen sweeps home the fourth in injury-timeCredit: Getty Images
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The late strike was Janssen's first from open play in the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty Images
Such are his high standards. He clearly felt his team should have been 3-0 or 4-0 up and did not like some sloppy defensive play on the rare occasions Bournemouth did get forward.
WHATEVER Poch said to the players at the interval, it worked – as they raced out of the blocks and got the all important third goal to kill the game off two minutes into the second half.
HARRY KANE is back. Making his first start since recovering from an ankle injury, the striker notched his 20th Premier League goal of the season.
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Son has deputised well for Kane but was back on the left flank todayCredit: Reuters
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Dembele wheels away after setting Spurs on road to victoryCredit: Getty Images
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Jack Wilshere went off injured in a blow for the Cherries and ArsenalCredit: Reuters
JACK WILSHERE was forced off with a, surprise, surprise, injury. It did not look serious but clearly he was in agony as he limped off.
BENIK AFOBE has been impressive in recent weeks but he was starved of any service against a dominant Tottenham defence.
YET another accomplished performance from Christian Eriksen was replaced by Vincent Janssen with five minutes left. All that was missing was a goal.
AND Spurs were so good that even Janssen scored at the death ... it took him two attempts but he got there in the end. Spurs fans chanted: "He scores when he wants."
SOCIAL SAYS
BIG PICTURE
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WHAT THEY SAID
Harry Kane: "I've missed being out the guys have been doing great I was happy to go out and put in a good shift and obviously get the goal.
"It’s good to be consistent as a striker, hitting 20 goals for three seasons in a row but there’s plenty of work left to do and I’m trying not to think about it.
"Hopefully Manchester United can get a result tomorrow and do us a favour."
Theirry Henry on Harry Kane knowing where the goal is: "You know where the toilets are in your house. This is his house."
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Mauricio Pochettino saw his side move within four points of ChelseaCredit: Rex Features
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Bournemouth are not yet safe from relegationCredit: PA:Press Association
DREAM TEAM RATINGS
Tottenham: Lloris 6, Walker 7, Alderweireld 6, Vertonghen 7, Davies 7, Dier 7, Dembele 8, Son 8, Eriksen 8, Dele 6, KANE 8. Subs: Janssen 7, Wanyama 6, Sissoko 6.
Bournemouth: Boruc 8, Smith 6, Francis 6, S Cook 6, Daniels 6, Stanislas 6, Arter 6, Wilshere 6, Pugh 5, King 5, Afobe 5. Subs: L Cook 6, Mousset 5, Fraser 5.