By Reece Knox.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou boldly stated “I always win a trophy in my second season” and he fulfilled that promise as he delivered Tottenham’s first major trophy in 17 years with a 1-0 win over Manchester United in an all-English Europa League final in Bilbao.
As far as European finals go, this one will go down as one of the most underwhelming (unless you’re a Tottenham fan); understandable considering the positions of both sides in the Premier League table and this final was seen as a chance for one of these clubs to save an otherwise dire season. Tottenham manager Postecoglou’s record of always winning a trophy in his second season or Manchester United midfielder Casemiro’s record of never losing a European final, one of these records was going to be ended.
The San Mames stadium in Bilbao was the location as both Tottenham and Manchester United vied for European glory and qualification for the Champions League. The defining moment came in the 42nd minute when Tottenham forward Brennan Johnson bundled the ball past Andre Onana in the Manchester United goal after a cross from midfielder Pape Matar Sarr. The ball appeared to come off Johnson’s thigh and hit United defender Luke Shaw’s hand before Johnson got studs to the ball to divert it past Onana to send the Tottenham fans behind the goal into a frenzy.
In the second half, United huffed and puffed and came close on a few occasions; most notably when Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario spilled a cross with the ball falling to striker Rasmus Hojlund whose header was acrobatically cleared off the line by Tottenham defender Micky Van De Ven. Vicario made amends with a match winning save from Luke Shaw’s header in the 96th minute. Tottenham’s last European trophy came back in 1984… in another all-English final against Wolves.
At the full-time whistle, the players and coaching staff of Tottenham raced onto the pitch and the fans could not believe their eyes, Tottenham winning a trophy and Postecoglou keeping his promise of winning a trophy in his second season. Postecoglou was criticised for making such a bold statement but he stayed true to his word.
The final will not go down as the most enthralling of encounters but try telling that to the fans of the North London club who have been starved of success and who will remember this night for the rest of their lives. Tottenham’s Europa League success concludes a quirky chain of glory this season following Liverpool’s Premier League win, Newcastle United’s Carabao Cup victory and Crystal Palace’s remarkable FA Cup triumph.
The 2024/25 season will be remembered as the year of the underdogs and, following the Tottenham victory, the year for having a bird on the club badges as Liverpool (Liver bird), Newcastle (Magpie), Crystal Palace (Eagle) and Tottenham (Cockerel) all won trophies; whether that is domestically in the case of Liverpool, Newcastle and Crystal Palace or in Europe in the case of Tottenham.
