Tottenham Hotspur have finally done it. After 17 long years without silverware, the drought is over. Brennan Johnson bundled in the only goal of the game as Spurs edged out Manchester United 1-0 in the Europa League final in Bilbao.
It wasn’t pretty. It was a scrappy, nerve-jangling affair that screamed of two sides struggling for form. Spurs and United are sitting 16th and 17th, respectively, in the Premier League. Their league seasons have been poor, but on Wednesday night, all that mattered was the trophy.
The goal itself? A messy finish from Johnson just before halftime. Pape Sarr floated in a cross, Johnson flicked it, it clipped off Luke Shaw’s shoulder, brushed Johnson again, and rolled over the line. Manchester United keeper Andre Onana couldn’t reach it. The ball crept in. It wasn’t a highlight-reel goal, but it counted, and that was all Spurs needed.
Manager Ange Postecoglou has been under pressure, with Spurs’ domestic struggles raising questions. But true to his word, he delivered a trophy in his second season. He called out his critics before the match and left the pitch vindicated.
The atmosphere at Athletic Bilbao’s San Mames was electric. Spurs fans traveled from all over, some sleeping in cars just to make the trip. They witnessed a game short on quality but high on emotion.
There were plenty of nervy moments. United pushed late on. Rasmus Hojlund had a golden chance, but Micky van de Ven pulled off a heroic goal-line clearance. Guglielmo Vicario, Spurs’ keeper, made crucial saves, including a late stop from Shaw’s header.
Postecoglou brought on Captain Son Heung-min to steady the ship. United tried to rally with Garnacho and Zirkzee off the bench, but came up short, for the fourth time this season against Spurs.
With this win, the Spurs break their trophy curse to secure a spot in next season’s Champions League. For United, the loss stings even more they’ll miss out on European football altogether next season for the first time in a decade.
By Yockshard Enyendi
