Ange Postecoglou was right all along, he does always win things in his second year as Tottenham defeated Manchester United in the Europa League final 1-0 in Bilbao, Spain.
Mocked relentlessly over the course of the season, Postecoglou has ended Spurs’ 17-year trophy drought and booked them a lucrative place in next season’s Champions League by claiming their first piece of European silverware since 1984.
He becomes the first Australian to win a major European trophy as a manager.
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Brennan Johnson’s 42nd minute goal was the decisive moment for Tottenham.
Pape Matar Sarr, who came into the final under an injury cloud, caught the United defenders off guard with a lovely ball into the near post from the left, and Johnson managed to get a boot stud to the ball after it bounced off Luke Shaw.
“As good as a goal!” Micky saves Spurs | 00:43
It was far from the prettiest goal, there debate as to whether it was an own goal, but it will stick long in the memory of Tottenham fans.
Although, when they recall this night in years to come it will likely be Micky van de Ven’s outstanding defensive effort which will be held in highest regard.
United came hard as they chased the game in the second half, and they almost had an equaliser when Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario spilled a free kick launched into the box.
The much-maligned Rasmus Hojlund pounced on the ball but van de Ven raced back to the goal line to pull off an acrobatic, heroic clearance to deny United.
It was one of many heart-in-mouth moments for Postecoglou as minutes later Bruno Fernandes’ free header sailed wide of the near post.
Vicario had to pull off an excellent diving save to his left in the sixth minute of added time and roughly 90 seconds later, Casemiro’s acrobatic volley crashed into the side netting.
Cristian Romero, who donned the captain’s arm band as Son Heung-min started on the bench after overcoming a foot injury, was in the thick of things.
The Argentine World Cup winner tangled with Harry Maguire on several occasions and revved up his teammates, and the travelling Spurs fans, with every tackle and block to repel United.
Ruben Amorim’s side attacked relentlessly in the second half as Tottenham sat back deeper and fought tooth and nail before trying to counter-attack.
The Red Devils ended the night with 73% possession, and had 15 shots, six on target, to just three for Spurs with Johnson’s goal being the only shot on target.
For all their glory in the Premier League and Europe previously, this was labelled in some parts as the most important game in United’s history given their financial woes and the cash windfall that comes with a Champions League place.
But in the end, it was Tottenham’s determination to end their much-ridiculed trophy drought that proved too strong.
MORE TO COME