Premier League

THIS defeat summed up why Daniel Levy is still unsure what to do with Ange Postecoglou.But the relentless singing of the Aussie’s name throughout this 22nd Prem loss by the Spurs fans showed exactly what they make of the man who ended their 17-year trophy drought.Brighton ran riot with a final-day 4-1 win at TottenhamCredit: GettyAnge Postecoglou paraded the Europa League trophy to the home fansCredit: ReutersBut the defeat was Spurs’ 22nd defeat out of 38 league gamesCredit: GettyLevy is understood yet to have made his mind up over whether to sack or back Postecoglou following Wednesday’s Europa League triumph.He had been expected to axe the 59-year-old even if European glory had been delivered due to the horrific league campaign, which has ended with Spurs in 17th.That was barring an emotional U-turn, which now cannot be ruled out after Postecoglou went and pulled off a historic win in Bilbao.The unforgettable scenes of the last week have certainly changed the minds of many fans, who are now demanding the ex-Celtic boss be retained.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLBut Levy’s dilemma will not have been helped by Postecoglou’s men getting spanked in their final home game.They were 1-0 up at half-time thanks to Dominic Solanke’s penalty but collapsed after the break.Jack Hinshelwood’s double turned it round, before a Matt O’Riley spot-kick and Diego Gomez’s stunner turned it into a mauling.Postecoglou heads on holiday on Monday with his future unlikely to be resolved as Levy takes more time to think it over.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe ecstasy in N17 over the last few days prior to today’s second half will likely have some impact on his decision after so long without a trophy.And it was a carnival atmosphere ahead of kick-off here around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as thousands of blue-and-white flags were twirled in celebration.Inside Tottenham’s wild Europa League open-top bus parade as 200,000 fans greet heroesChants of “Champions of Europe, we know what we are” and the “Johnson again ole ole” – in reference to the match-winner in Bilbao – rang around the ground.While Postecoglou’s name was sung for the first time in months, perhaps all season long, from the diehard supporters in the South Stand.Spurs’ players had effectively been on a three-day bender since beating Manchester United in Spain on Wednesday.But they made a sober enough start to the game and even took the lead on 17 minutes through Solanke after Mats Wieffer had caught Mathys Tel for a nailed-on penalty.England man Solanke clipped his spot-kick in off the bar for his ninth league goal of the campaign and 16th in all competitions.Spurs were playing well – much more Ange Ball than the Ange Wall that defended their way to glory in Bilbao.Rodrigo Bentancur, in particular, was revelling in it with some clever tricks and crunching tackles.Seven minutes before the break, it should have been 2-0 as Pedro Porro fed Tel but somehow the Frenchman, on loan from Bayern Munich, could not beat Bart Verbruggen.Brighton had a dramatic second-half turnaround in the reverse of this fixture back in October, coming from 2-0 down at the break to win 3-2.It was a hugely damaging loss for Postecolgou, exposing a fragility that would crop up time and again in the league.And here it was a story of another fightback following the interval for Fabian Hurzeler’s side for a win that secured them an eighth-placed finish.The 32-year-old Albion chief sparked it with an inspired double half-time substitution, bringing on Gomez and Bayern Munich-target Kaoru Mitoma.Suddenly, the visitors upped the intensity – while Spurs’ interval swap Wilson Odobert produced a first touch that suggested a heavy few days celebrating had preceded it.Brighton’s first two goals were almost identical to each other, and not just via the goal-scorer Hinshelwood.They both came from corners that Spurs failed to clear and there was England Under-21 star Hinshelwood, Johnny on the spot, to stick away the loose ball.His first strike was a clinical blast into the roof of the net on 51 minutes, his second a clever backheel 13 minutes later.The travelling fans mocked their hosts with chants of “Champions of Europe, you’re having a laugh” and telling Postecoglou “you’re getting sacked in the morning”.That turned into “You lucky b***ards, you should have gone down” after O’Riley’s spot-kick made it 3-1 late on.Dominic Solanke put Tottenham in front from the penalty spotCredit: ReutersJack Hinshelwood found the net with a cheeky backheelCredit: ReutersIt referred to Spurs’ pitiful haul of 38 points, which in seasons gone by would most definitely have seen them get relegated.The penalty was awarded when sub Yves Bissouma, one of the revellers-in-chief on Spurs’ parade party bus on Friday, caught Gomez with a late challenge that suggested a hangover.With regular-taker Joao Pedro not in the squad following a bust-up with team-mate Jean Paul van Hecke in training, the ball was handed to O’Riley who curled it home.It got worse when Gomez curled home a 30-yard peach to rubber-stamp the victory, before bursting into tears in celebration.Home fans responded by twirling their flags and producing a rousing rendition of ‘When the Spurs go marching in’.What Levy will have made of it though was anyone’s guess.Read More on The SunFinishing 17th, with a Prem record 22 defeats, is the worst Tottenham have managed since they were relegated in 1977.And yet how can you sack a man who has delivered the first piece of silverware in 17 years – and the first European trophy since 1984?Matt O’Riley celebrates getting in on the actCredit: ReutersDaniel Levy has a big decision to make over PostecoglouCredit: PA More

CHELSEA sealed Champions League football with a 1-0 win away at Nottingham Forest.The Blues have been absent from Europe’s elite competition for two years but finally, the billion-pound boys will be back next season.Levi Colwill got the vital touch to send Chelsea into the Champions LeagueCredit: GettyThe Blues beat Forest 1-0 at the City GroundCredit: GettyIt was unlikely source Levi Colwill with the goal to give Chelsea a boost of confidence ahead of flying to Poland for Wednesday’s Conference League final against Real Betis.Here is how SunSport’s Graeme Bryce rated the performances. Robert Sanchez – 6Chelsea fans have been on Sanchez’s back lately but he was rarely tested here.Lucky to escape unscathed when Chris Wood got to Ola Aina’s cross before him just before half-time.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFortunately for the ‘keeper the big Forest striker lofted his shot over with Sanchez flapping at thin air.Reece James – 7Crunched into tackles and took no prisoners.Moved effortlessly into midfield when required.Played much more conservatively after Colwill’s goal as Forest pitched Callum Hudson-Odoi into the action.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSManaged to keep CHO subdued which is exactly what Enzo Maresca required of him.Tosin Adarabioyo – 7The daddy of this Chelsea team at the ripe old age of 27!But it didn’t stop the old boy from getting a real ticking off from his younger partner Colwill for carelessly gifting Morgan Gibbs-White the ball early on.  Recovered to put in a solid performance and managed to keep Wood shackled for the most part.Levi Colwill – 9Chelsea’s top performer – solid at the back and LETHAL up front!Produced a couple of timely tackles to win high-fives from his teammates.And went on to celebrate his England call-up with Chelsea’s crucial opener. That was karma for the big defender who scored an own goal playing for Huddersfield in the 2022 play-off final at Wembley which saw Forest promoted to the Prem! Marc Cucurella – 7Was solid defensively, winning a string of headers in his own penalty area.And slotted in comfortably to his inverted role in midfield when Chelsea were in possession.Had a large hand in Colwill’s opener too and can be well pleased with his afternoon’s work.Enzo Fernandez – 7 Disciplined performance in Chelsea’s engine room.Handled Elliot Anderson well and snuffed out his creative threat.Put in a power of work to frustrate Forest and squeeze the life out of them in midfield.Moises Caicedo – 8The man in the mask was handed the tough task of keeping Gibbs-White quiet which he did to great effect.Fortunate to avoid a booking after chopping down MGW from behind early on.But stuck to the job in hand and covered every blade of grass on the City Ground pitch to show why he is Chelsea’s Player of the Year.Even felt confident enough to ditch the protective mask for the second half!Noni Madueke – 7Was easily Chelsea’s best attacking player early on when he took the game to Forest at every opportunity.But lacked a focal point up front to supply with Neto pretty ineffective as a stand-in striker.Moved out to the left wing in the second half but saw less of the ball as Chelsea protected their lead.Cole Palmer – 7 Still struggling to recapture his early season form and few players will look forward to his summer hols more than the England man. Looks like he could do with even a short break to recharge his batteries before the club world cup.Sloppy in possession at times and hounded relentlessly by Forest’s midfielders.But he did at least put in Chelsea’s best delivery of the first half for Neto and was one of their more creative players on a day short on overall quality. Jadon Sancho – 5Worked hard on the left flank to track Aina’s runs and provide cover.But showed precious little in an attacking sense.Chelsea have an obligation to buy him from Manchester United this summer.But this wasn’t the kind of day when he was going to convince anyone that would be good business and he was replaced by Lavia on the hour. Pedro Neto – 6Played as a makeshift striker in Nicolas Jackson’s continued absence.But struggled to make an impression and missed a snip on the half hour when he fired Cole Palmer’s inviting cross over when he had to hit the target – at least!Looked a bit better when he was moved to the wing after the break and provided the crucial assist for Colwill’s goal.But a frustrating day for the Portuguese who was replaced by Gusto near the end.SUBS: Romeo Lavia (Jadon Sancho, 62) – 5Came on to bolt the backdoor once Chelsea got their noses in front and did what it said on the tin!Flashed in a late shot which was deflected for a corner. Malo Gusto (Pedro Neto, 78) – 5Sent on to help see out the game and did exactly that, double-banking with James to keep Hudson-Odoi under lock and key. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (Noni Madueke, 86) – 5Sent on to kill a bit of time late on but ended up putting in a crucial clearing tackle to keep Chelsea’s clean sheet.Read More on The SunSanchez flipped the ball away from Wood’s head and Jota and Neco Williams were steaming in for the kill.However KDH threw himself at the loose ball to hoof it to safety. 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MANCHESTER UNITED saved possibly their best performance of a dismal season until the final game by seeing off Aston Villa.Goals from the livewire Amad Diallo and an emotional penalty from the departing Christian Eriksen bagged the three points.Amad Diallo was the best player on the pitch at Old TraffordCredit: ReutersBut the game was not without controversy. First Emi Martinez was sent off in the first half for a rugby tackle on Rasmus Hojlund.Then Villa were denied going ahead in the game when the referee incorrectly blew his whistle for a foul on United keeper Altay Bayindir.But replays showed he had spilled the ball and Morgan Rogers fired home what he thought put his side 1-0 up.VAR couldn’t rightly rule it was a goal as Thomas Bramall had already blown his whistle.Read more FootballVilla were incensed, United were relieved, and it was the beleaguered hosts who went on to secure a final-day victory.Here is how SunSport’s Martin Blackburn rated United’s stars…ALTAY BAYINDIR – 6Handed a start on what will surely be his final competitive game for United. Showed why as he almost gifted the visitors a goal when Rogers nicked it off him but the ref came to his rescue. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSA couple of important late saves to be fair.VICTOR LINDELOF – 6 Another one who is saying his goodbyes this summer so got the chance to put himself in the shop window. The right time to move on but will be a handy free transfer for someone this summer. Ruben Amorim breaks silence over futures of Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro GarnachoHARRY MAGUIRE – 7Another glimpse of ‘Harrydinho’ on the wing to create the chance which Dalot put against the post. At the other end he did his bit to keep a toothless Villa quiet for much of the afternoon. AYDEN HEAVEN – 6One slip almost presented the visitors with a rare chance but otherwise another promising show from the young signing from Arsenal. One positive to come from United’s season is the way he has settled in. NOUSSAIR MAZROUAI – 5Made a positive start on the right and created a couple of early chances for Mount and Fernandes. But his afternoon lasted only 20 minutes as he was forced off with an injury and replaced by Dalot. BRUNO FERNANDES – 8Was off target with a few shots all afternoon but then supplied the pass for Diallo to nod the home side ahead. Generously gave the pen to Eriksen on his last game. United fans will be praying it wasn’t the skipper’s farewell too. Bruno Fernandes could yet be sold by Man Utd this summerCredit: AFPCASEMIRO – 7Proved he can still cut it in the Prem as well as in Europe with a decent show. Nice step over almost created a goal for Fernandes. Floated a beauty that clipped the outside of the post. Is the veteran worth the huge wages they pay him though? PATRICK DORGU – 6The January arrival gives United the kind of balance that Amorim is looking for on the left. Made it a difficult afternoon for Villa’s full-back Cash. There will be more to come from the former Lecce wide man next season.AMAD DIALLO – 8United are a much better side with him in the team and it was fitting that he scored the winner from a perfect pass from Fernandes. Then won a pen to seal it. The season would not have been this bad if the Ivorian had stayed during the spring. MASON MOUNT – 6A rare Prem start and should have marked it with an early goal as he saw two efforts saved by Martinez. Replaced by the departing Eriksen late on – United fans are still waiting for his Red Devils career to take off. RASMUS HOJLUND – 6 Forced the red card as he tried to go round Martinez. Another disallowed for offside but it just won’t happen for him. Left the field to a big ovation before the end – will this be the last we see of the goal-shy Dane at the Theatre of Dreams. Rasmus Hojlund failed to score yet againCredit: GettySUBSDALOT (for Mazrouai 20 – 6Curled an effort against post. Chose to pass when he should have shot and went off at half-time MAINOO (for Dalot 45) – 6Has hardly played recently but showed his quality after the break.ERIKSEN (for Mount 66) – 6Determined to bow out with a goal and managed it as he smashed home the pen.EVANS (for Heaven 66) – 6What a servant he has been and almost marked his last appearance with a goal. Read More on The SunOBI (for Hojlund 80) – 5Gave Villa’s over-worked defence a different kind of problem. 5 More