May 22 – Tottenham Hotspur ended a 17-year trophy drought on Wednesday evening by defeating Manchester United 1-0 in the UEFA Europa League final in Bilbao, earning a Champions League berth for next season in the process.
Spurs claimed UEFA’s second-tier competition during an underwhelming final against their English Premier League rivals – Brennan Johnson’s scrappy first half goal the difference between the two sides.
The victory will bring a sense of vindication for manager Ange Postecoglou, who has been the subject of intense media pressure following a disappointing domestic campaign that has seen the London club drop to 17th in the EPL standings.
That will possibly be all be forgotten by Tottenham fans who will revel in a European victory – The Australian also delivered on his promise that he always wins a trophy in his second season.
At times, the match resembled more of a Championship play-off feel than a genuine European competition final. United and Tottenham have endured their worst seasons in modern history, however, the financial depth of the Premier League means that clubs ranked just above the relegation zone in the English topflight can win the continent’s second-tier title.
The contest was scrappy and chaotic from the off, with opportunities to score at a premium. Pape Sarr for Spurs and Amad Diallo for Manchester United squandered early chances to put their sides in front.
The deciding moment came just before the interval. The aforementioned Sarr whipped in a fierce cross from the left toward the back post run of Johnson who darted in and swung a boot at the ball.
He sliced the strike off defender Luke Shaw, with the ball looping in slow motion past the desperate dive of André Onana – Spurs first European final goal since a Jonathan Woodgate effort in 2008.
Those expecting a better display in the second period were left disappointed as the standard barely lifted above abject. United’s best chance of an equaliser came in the 68th minute when Rasmus Højlund looped a header over a stranded Guglielmo Vicario, but Micky van de Ven hooked the ball off the line with a phenomenal acrobatic clearance.
In injury time, Vicario kept out Luke Shaw’s powerful effort which was destined for the bottom right hand corner, conserving Spurs one goal advantage into the dying embers of the contest.
In a flash interview with TNT after the game, Johnson said: “This season hasn’t been good at all, but I swear, not one of those players right now care about that, this is what it’s all about, this club hasn’t won a trophy for 17 years. It means so much.”
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1747925376labto1747925376ofdlr1747925376owedi1747925376sni@i1747925376tnuk.1747925376ardni1747925376mas1747925376