TOTTENHAM have defeated Manchester United 1-0 in the Europa League final in Bilbao!
Spurs may have endured a woeful season in the league – but they’ve ended it with Champions League qualification after winning the final.
Brennan Johnson bundled the ball home to score the only goal of the game as Tottenham fans went wild in the San Mames Stadium.
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Massive moment for big stars
Having left clubs to join this Spurs’ project, they may have had moments wondering if they would see some silverware.
Moments like this are just why they made that decision.
All the low points seem worth it as they enjoy a truly special moment with their teammates and fans.
Credit: Reuters Credit: Reuters Gaffer sticks to his plan
Speaking with TNT Sports, the Man Utd manager was asked for his views and whether he is concerned about his future:
Especially in the second-half, we were in control of the situation. In the first-half we suffered a goal but we had plenty of chances to score. This moment is to give space to winners and try and deal with this feeling. I am confident I am still the guy, I know it is going be tough and the patience of the fans is going to be short. I am not going to give up on this challenge. If they say [the board] I have to go, I will leave without compensation in a day.
Ruben Amorim
New look, same love
There is no doubting that Tottenham have a special place in the heart of the former player.
On media duties for TNT Sports, Gareth Bale could not hide his excitement with this win.
Once a Spur, always a Spur.
Credit: PA
Something to remember for boss
He has had to field some difficult scrutinty from the media all season as things failed to go to plan.
But, for Ange Postecoglou, everything grilling must seem a distant memory now.
The former Celtic boss was brought in to bring the good times back to North London and he has certainly delivered.
Credit: Getty Legend gets his reward for commitment
His performances over the years have attracted many of the biggest clubs in Europe to look at him.
Son Heung-Min had the captain’s armband on as he finally got his hands on some silverware.
It all seems worth it now as he embraces his family in a moment he will never forget.
Credit: Getty Credit: Getty We could be heroes, just for one day
They dealt with the pressure and got the job done.
Many wondered whether Spurs could lift the trophy or fall at the final hurdle like many teams before.
This should act like a springboard for these players and give them belief they can go on to bigger things.
Credit: PA Amorim bombshell
Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim gave a strong answer when asked about next season.
He said: “I will not quit.
“I am confident in my job and I will not change anything.
“If the board or fans feel that I’m not the right guy, I will go the next day without any conversation about compensation.”
‘What I’ve always dreamed of’
Club captain Son Heung-min was all smiles as he appeared on TNT Sports and said: “”Let’s say I’m a legend. why not? Only today!
“17 years nobody has done it, so today let’s say with amazing players probably a legend of the club.
“This is what I’ve always dreamed for. Today is the day it happened. I am the happiest man in the world.
“When you look at the whole season there will always be some situation you have a tough time but we as players always stuck together.
“I felt the pressure. I wanted it so badly. The last seven days I was dreaming about this game every night. It finally happened and I can sleep easy now!
“We can celebrate today so let’s just make it one we will never forget and maybe I will miss the flight tomorrow!”
Hey Mickey you’re so fine
With Tottenham having a slender lead in the game, a superb acrobatic clearance from van de Ven saw him deny Man Utd an equaliser.
After Vicario’s error, the Dutchman did brilliantly to hook it off the goal line.
If he wasn’t one before, the defender will be a hero with fans forever after ensuring they scooped the trophy tonight in Bilbao.
Credit: Reuters
‘We’re still building’
Ange made it pretty clear that he wants to remain in north London next season.
“We’re still building.
“When I joined all I wanted to do was deliver a trophy and I’ve done that.
“But I don’t feel like the job is complete.”
Everything fans had dreamt of
Performances mean nothing in moments like this, getting results are all that counts.
These Tottenham fans will not be leaving this stadium anytime soon.
It has been a long wait but they have ended their 17-year trophy doubt.
Scenes.
Ange sends message to critics
Speaking with TNT Sports, the Spurs’ manager gave his views after this massive moment:
Look I am still taking it all in. I know what it means for this football club. Unfortunately the longer it goes on, it is harder to break that cycle. There are supporters who have been following us for those 41 years and not seen it. I felt we were going to be hard to break down. I just had this thing inside me, I know our league form has been terrible, I knew only us winning something would change our mentality.
Ange Postecoglou
‘Disaster’
Man Utd icon Rio Ferdinand told TNT Sports: “A disaster of a season ending on a bad note, but I don’t think Man Utd did enough to deserve it.
“There was no real cutting edge in the Man Utd team. All that sustained pressure, the goalkeeper [Guglielmo Vicario] made one save in the whole game – you can’t expect to win a trophy when you’re a bit reserved.”
He added: Getting those defenders back was critical for [Tottenham].
“Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven wanted to defend that penalty area.
“They were not bothered about Harry Maguire being up – they enjoyed the battle.
“They defended for their lives and they got what they needed.”
Reality dawns for forward
Brennan Johnson seems to be pondering on what he has just done for Tottenham in Spain.
His goal has secured Spurs a trophy in Bilbao.
It is the kind of thing every footballer dreams of as a child and now he is living his dream for all to see.
Credit: Reuters Credit: Reuters Long time coming
Spurs legend Gareth Bale told TNT Sports: “Amazing for the club.
“It has been a long time coming. Delighted for the club and all the fans.
“Now Ange goes down as a legendary manager to win a European cup.”
Aussie sticks to his word
At the start of the season, Ange Postecoglou told the media that he always wins a trophy in his second season managing clubs.
Many scoffed at him and expected him to fall short.
He has silenced his doubters, kept his promise and given the fans a night to remember in Bilbao.
Credit: AP Credit: Reuters Tottenham become European champions
As the players celebrate, you can see just how much it means.
It has been a tough season in North London but now they are heros.
Lifting the Europa League trophy will be a massive confidence boost for the team when they needed it most.
Credit: Getty Credit: Reuters Trophy time!
It’s taken 17 years for Tottenham to see this sight… but there is club captain Son Hueng-min lifting a trophy!
Close but no cigar for Red Devils
The looks of dejection are there for all to see as the Man Utd players walk up to collect their runners-up medals.
Some have been used to winning things with former clubs but that seems a distant memory now.
This one will hurt Man Utd’s players and fans for some time.
Credit: AP Credit: AP Credit: Getty View from SunSport’s Dave Courtnadge in Bilbao
So after all the talk of El Crapico we got…. that.
Certainly not a Clasico, with little class on show.
You can’t take anything away from Spurs, they sat deep, did what they had to do and will be wondering why it’s taken 17 years to win a trophy when it was that easy tonight.
Fair play to Ange for ditching Ange Ball. It must take a lot of humility to ditch a tactic named after you. But it worked.
And whatever Amorim had told his players to do, didn’t.
They only really raised the tempo in the dying minutes, with Vicario only making his first save after 75 minutes.
No one should be surprised United served up such dross, it’s what they’ve been best at all season.
As for Spurs, dare I say it but, bar Vicario’s attempts to let United back in, that was an unSpursy second half.
Congratulations to them, and if this is the end of Ange’s time in charge, what a way to go out.
More from Johnson
The goalscorer, draped in a Wales flag at the end of the match, added: “[The final few minutes were] horrible. I couldn’t watch.
“I was listening to what the boys were saying, asking how long was left.
“When we defended that corner at the end, I kind of knew. The relief is nothing I can describe.
“Tottenham Hotspur finishing 17th in the Premier League isn’t good enough, but we’ve had an unbelievable Europa run and the fans have been so good.
“I thought they had the edge on the United fans, to be honest… it got us through the game.
“He [Postecoglou] has done his job. If there’s ever a time for a mic drop, it’s now so I’ll be looking forward to his interview.
“I can’t thank the manager enough for how much trust he’s had in us… especially in the Europa League, he had a great way of getting everyone up for it and it shows.”
‘It means so much’
Matchwinner Brennan Johnson was absolutely BUZZING when he was interviewed by TNT Sports.
He said: “I’m so happy right now. This season hasn’t been good, but not one of us players cares right now.
“This is what it’s all about… it means so much.
“All the fans get battered, we get battered for not winning a trophy, but to get the first one in a while today, I’m so happy.
“Ever since I came here, it’s been ‘Tottenham are a good team but never get it done’. We got it done.
“I knew I touched it [for the goal] and then I looked up and the ball was trickling into the goal.
“I can’t describe the feeling.”
Why does it always rain on me?
Ruben Amorim looks a devastated man after this defeat.
After a woeful season, it was more of the same in the final tonight.
Things are not going to plan for the former Sporting Lisbon manager.
Credit: Alamy Credit: Getty Welshman scoops trophy for Spurs
Brennan Johnson will never forget this evening.
His goal has secured the Europa League for Ange Postecoglou.
This is the moment he and all his teammates have been dreaming of.
Credit: Getty Credit: Getty Tottenham etch their names in history
For all the critics they have this season, winning a European trophy is a big moment for any club.
These players will be remembered in the club’s history after their triumph in Bilbao.
The party will continue long into the night for everyone associated to the North London outfit.
Credit: AFP Credit: Reuters
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
