Tottenham Hotspur captured their first trophy in 17 years on Wednesday, edging Manchester United 1-0 in a scrappy Europa League final in Bilbao. Brennan Johnson’s scrambled first-half goal was enough to seal victory and deliver Spurs their first piece of European silverware since 1984.
The triumph also guarantees Tottenham a place in next season’s Champions League, a stark contrast to Manchester United, who now face the financial consequences of missing out on Europe’s top competition.
Despite the celebrations, questions remain over the future of Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou. The Australian has come under fire following a poor domestic campaign that leaves Tottenham sitting just below United in the lower reaches of the Premier League table. On the eve of the final, Postecoglou defended his record, saying he was “not a clown,” and he backed up his words by continuing his tradition of delivering silverware in his second season at every club he has managed.
“This is what it’s all about,” said Wales international Johnson to TNT Sports after the match. “This club hasn’t won a trophy in 17 years. Ever since I came here, people have said ‘Tottenham are a good team, but they never get it done’ well, we got it done.”
Athletic Bilbao’s San Mamés stadium was packed with fans who had traveled great distances, some even sleeping in cars to avoid high travel costs. Yet the match itself was far from a classic, reflecting the Premier League struggles of both teams, who entered the final in 16th and 17th place respectively.
The match was high in intensity but low on quality, with constant turnovers, rushed defending, and frequent fouls disrupting any rhythm. United’s Harry Maguire made an early block to deny Pape Sarr, while Amad Diallo stood out for the Red Devils with a couple of promising moments on the right flank.
Tottenham’s breakthrough came in the 42nd minute via a messy but decisive sequence. Sarr, largely anonymous until that point, curled in a cross toward the near post. Johnson’s flick ricocheted off Luke Shaw’s shoulder, then off his own boot, before slowly trickling over the line past a scrambling Andre Onana.
United fans chanted the name of reported managerial target Ruben Amorim during the match, a clear signal of discontent after the club’s worst league finish in half a century.
For Spurs, however, the result marks a long-awaited return to glory, and for Postecoglou, a defiant response to his critics.
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