London Evening Standard

Spurs sign off with another defeat amid a party atmosphere

Star man: Rodrigo Bentancur

Action Images via Reuters

Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Dan Kilpatrick

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Tottenham signed off the Premier League season with 4-1 home defeat to Brighton, which nonetheless unfolded in a carnvival atmosphere as supporters continued to celebrate their historic Europa League success.

Dominic Solanke fired the hosts ahead from the penalty spot after 17 minutes after Mathys Tel was caught by Mats Wieffer.

But just as they did at the Amex in October, the Seagulls fought back, with Jack Hinshelwood twice scoring from close-range after Spurs had fail to deal with corners.

Matt O’Riley made it 3-1 with the game’s second spot-kick after Yves Bissouma caught Diego Gomez and the Paraguayan forward added a brilliant fourth with a 25-yard strike.

Here’s how we rated the Spurs players...

Guglielmo Vicario 6

Made a string of smart saves, including a smart stop to deny Yankuba Miteh in the second half, but powerless to keep the score down.

Pedro Porro 6

Set up a great chance for Mathys Tel to make it 2-0 in a creative first-half display. Lost Hinshelwood ahead of his second goal.

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Kevin Danso 5

Made an eye-catching goal-saving challenge in the second half but was ragged, as Spurs missed Cristian Romero.

Micky van de Ven 6

Not at his blistering best but mopped up as the last line of defence for an hour.

Destiny Udogie 6

Could barely move towards the end of the game and caught up the pitch for the attack leading to Brighton’s penalty.

Rodrigo Bentancur 8

Outstanding in the middle of the park in a silky but combative display in the first half. Faded and was one of the players hooked just after the hour.

Archie Gray 6

Produced his best 45 minutes for Spurs in his favoured midfield role. Snapped into tackles and drove forward with the ball. Struggled in the second half, in common with all of his teammates.

Pape Matar Sarr 6

One of the few players in the squad who would not have been suffering from a hangover, given he does not drink. Pressed enthusiastically but hooked at half-time.

Brennan Johnson 5

The hero of Bilbao had a decent chance in the second half which he skewed wide but was otherwise quiet.

Mathys Tel 6

Should have doubled Spurs’ lead after a quick counter-attack but his shot was too close to Verbruggen. Won the penalty with a dart inside and was lively down the left.

Dominic Solanke 6

Dispatched his penalty coolly, firing into the roof of the net off the underside of the crossbar. Worked hard but had limited service from open play.

Subs

Wilson Odobert (Sarr 46’) 5

Offered next to nothing at No10, suggesting Postecoglou was right to pick Sarr ahead of him in Bilbao.

Ben Davies (van de Ven 65’) 4

Came on in difficult circumstances, with his teammates tiring and Brighton in the ascendency.

Richarlison (Solanke 65’) 6

Held up the ball well on a couple of occasions but the tide had long since turned when he was introduced.

Yves Bissouma (Bentancur 65’) 4

Gave away a stone-wall penalty with a lunge on Gomez.

Djed Spence (Tel 83’) 5

Limited chance to make an impact.

Not used: Kinsky, Moore, Ajayi, Olusesi.

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The Spurs squad have been in party mode since beating Manchester United in Bilbao on Wednesday, which has raised questions about the team Postecoglou will select for the final day of the season.

Postecoglou encouraged the players to “enjoy the moment” but has said Spurs “want to make it a good day” and “finish the season off strong”.

Heung-min Son and Cristian Romero have been ruled out, while Yves Bissouma is a doubt after suffering a knock in the Europa League final.

Postecoglou has said “the rest of them physically are okay” but he may not want to risk Micky van de Ven given his injury record.

“There will be a couple of absences,” said Postecoglou. “Romero has been struggling with his toe for quite a while so we’ll leave him out, probably Sonny as well because his foot has still not healed. They both made a massive effort to get to the final.

“Bissouma got a knock in the game so he’s 50/50 at the moment but the rest of them physically are okay.”

Postecoglou added: “I really feel you need to celebrate your achievements properly and that was kind of my message to the boys.

“It’s important to make the experience as memorable as possible so that when I ask them to climb the mountain again, there’s a reason for it. It’s fair to say they’ve certainly enjoyed themselves over the last couple of days but the boys are all good, we’ll be good.”

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Spurs boss has made it clear he wants to continue as head coach

Decision time: Ange Postecoglou’s position at Tottenham remains uncertain

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Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Dan Kilpatrick

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy says the club are determined to use their Europa League triumph "as a springboard" towards "long-term sustained success" in an end-of-season message which made no mention of head coach Ange Postecoglou's future.

Levy used his traditional final-day address to supporters to focus entirely on Spurs' first European trophy in 41 years and only the second piece of silverware of his chairmanship after the 2008 League Cup.

He did not refer to their disappointing Premier League campaign nor reassure fans over Postecoglou's uncertain position.

Postecoglou has said he has held no talks with Levy or the club over his fate but wants to continue as head coach after guiding the team to an historic 1-0 win over Manchester United in Bilbao on Wednesday night.

Levy wrote that he "never wavered from the belief" that trophies would come for Spurs and expressed hope that the Europa League could be the catalyst for more success.

"We did it. What an unforgettable night it was in Bilbao as we ended our long wait for glory," read Levy's message ahead of the club's final game of the campaign, at home to Brighton on Sunday.

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"This is a huge moment for the whole Club, an historic achievement that sees us lift our first European trophy since 1984.

Ange Postecoglou has said he has held no talks over his future with the club

Action Images via Reuters

"This Club has been on an incredible journey on and off the pitch since we last won silverware, the League Cup, in 2008 – establishing ourselves as one of the biggest in Europe, moving into our new stadium and experiencing some incredible moments – we knew a trophy was the missing piece.

"We’ve come so close on a number of occasions and never quite got over the line – I have never wavered from the belief that success is just around the corner.

"I’d like to thank Ange and the players for making this incredible achievement possible and thanks to all of our amazing staff – there is so much hard work that goes on behind the scenes and this moment is for everyone to enjoy.

"I’d also like to thank you – the fans – for staying with us and carrying that same belief. I know it’s been hard at times and I have shared in that pain and frustration along the way. But when we all come together, we know we can achieve something special.

"Your support – whether that was in Bilbao, in our own stadium or in pubs and homes around the world – was the driving force behind our team.

"This is one trophy – our clear ambition as a Club has always been long-term, sustained success, competing for top honours every year. We have now tasted success and we are determined to use this as a springboard for more.

"Let’s enjoy this moment as a Club together, finish the season strong with a win today and go again next year.

"Most of all, be proud. Come on you Spurs! Daniel.”

Spurs are 17th in the league table going into the Seagulls' visit, comfortably clear of the three relegated clubs. They could finish as high as 14th if they beat Fabian Hürzeler's side and other results go their way.

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The Spurs squad have been in party mode since beating Manchester United in Bilbao on Wednesday, which has raised questions about the team Postecoglou will select for the final day of the season.

Postecoglou encouraged the players to “enjoy the moment” but has said Spurs “want to make it a good day” and “finish the season off strong”.

Heung-min Son and Cristian Romero have been ruled out, while Yves Bissouma is a doubt after suffering a knock in the Europa League final.

Postecoglou has said “the rest of them physically are okay” but he may not want to risk Micky van de Ven given his injury record.

“There will be a couple of absences,” said Postecoglou. “Romero has been struggling with his toe for quite a while so we’ll leave him out, probably Sonny as well because his foot has still not healed. They both made a massive effort to get to the final.

“Bissouma got a knock in the game so he’s 50/50 at the moment but the rest of them physically are okay.”

Postecoglou added: “I really feel you need to celebrate your achievements properly and that was kind of my message to the boys.

“It’s important to make the experience as memorable as possible so that when I ask them to climb the mountain again, there’s a reason for it. It’s fair to say they’ve certainly enjoyed themselves over the last couple of days but the boys are all good, we’ll be good.”

Ange Postecoglou delivered on his promise and delivered a trophy in his second season as Tottenham boss

Perfect: Ange Postecoglou wouldn’t change a thing about the Europa League final

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Arthur Ferridge

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Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Dan Kilpatrick

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou said he will never rewatch the Europa League final as he aims to preserve his ‘perfect memory’ of a historic night in Bilbao.

Tottenham have been criticised for their approach to a final that was contested by sides sat 16th and 17th in the Premier League table.

Brennan Johnson got the better of Luke Shaw as he bundled the ball over the line in the first half, scoring what proved to be the winner. Spurs were content to sit back and defend their slim lead in the second half, finishing the match with just 26% possession and the goal as their only shot on target.

In the eyes of Postecoglou, that makes little difference and takes nothing away from the scale of the club’s achievement. At the end of the day, it is Spurs who took the trophy home.

“People will say we didn’t play well,” he said. “That doesn’t bother me. For me, that night will stay in my memory forever as a perfect night.”

Postecoglou will do what he can to preserve the raw memory of the night and the delirious celebrations which followed.

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He added: “I tend to just leave the moments in perfect periods of time. I will never rewatch Bilbao.

“I have never rewatched any significant game I’ve won in my career, because if I do, I’ll start picking holes in the performance and I don’t want to do that.

“It’s a perfect memory for me. I leave that in its rightful place and move on to what the next thing is.”

While he is content to leave the tie in the past, he hopes to use it as fuel ahead of next season, which will start with a UEFA Super Cup tie against the winner of the Champions League final between Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain.

He has been clear in his intention to build on this season’s silverware as he looks to add more in years to come, provided he stays with the club, his fate still unconfirmed.

The Europa League final hero Johnson has been tipped to become Spurs’ figurehead after he capped a difficult campaign off-pitch with a historic goal. The Welshman faced vicious abuse from fans early in the season, later deactivating his Instagram account, but recovered well to finish the campaign with 18 goals in all competitions, a tally which could still grow as one match is still to be played.

Postecoglou continued: “Brennan is kind of indicative of what I have been trying to build here. People of character, people of resilience. He hasn’t had it easy.

Tottenham captain Heung-min Son lifts the Europa League trophy

Andrew Milligan/PA Wire

“That’s what you need from attacking players, not just in any games but in big games as well.

“Fair to say he’s one of the ones who has enjoyed himself the last couple days and rightly so. I’m hoping that him doing that on such a big stage, that he comes back next year as a mentality monster.

“I know what it takes to win, I know what I want again, and that feeds onto everyone else. That’s what you hope Wednesday night creates. All these guys have got a taste of it now and want more of it.”

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Spurs conclude the Premier League campaign at home to the Seagulls, though there has been question raised over how strong a team Postecoglou can name following events this week.

After beating Manchester United in the Europa League final on Wednesday night, the players celebrated with supporters on Friday during a trophy parade through the streets of north London.

He said: “I really feel you need to celebrate your achievements properly and that was kind of my message to the boys.It’s important to make the experience as memorable as possible so that when I ask them to climb the mountain again, there’s a reason for it.

“It’s fair to say they’ve certainly enjoyed themselves over the last couple of days but the boys are all good, we’ll be good tomorrow.”

With that said, Yves Bissouma is a doubt while captain Heung-min Son and Cristian Romero will miss out along with Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Lucas Bergvall and Radu Dragusin.

Postecoglou added: “There will be a couple of absences. Romero has been struggling with his toe for quite a while so we’ll leave him out, probably Sonny as well because his foot has still not healed.

“They both made a massive effort to get to the final. Bissouma got a knock in the game so he’s 50/50 at the moment but the rest of them physically are okay.”

Antonin Kinsky could make his third straight start in the Premier League, whilst the likes of Djed Spence, Archie Gray, Ben Davies, Mikey Moore, Wilson Odobert and Mathys Tel are all pushing for recalls.

Ange Postecoglou said he kept his distance from the Tottenham squad’s Europa League title-winning festivities as he aimed to let them “properly” celebrate the occasion.

The energy was just as high 48 hours later, as the Tottenham faithful lined the streets of north London in their thousands to welcome the players home on their open-top bus parade.

While the players were markedly festive, Postecoglou played a secondary role, making a short speech at the post-match afterparty before spending much of the evening with his family.

“I sort of stayed well away from it,” he said. “It's important the boys celebrate. We've been through a lot, and it's part of how you create this winning mentality and bond.

“As I've got older, and I used to be a bit different, but I really feel you need to celebrate your achievements properly and that was kind of my message to the boys.

“It's important for them, because they're the ones that achieved it and they've done it in a very difficult way. It's important for the people around them because then they can relax and enjoy it as well.”

He hopes the celebrations will inspire his team to more finals in the future: “It’s important to make the experiences, you know, as memorable as possible, so that when I ask them to climb the mountain again, there's a reason for it.

“And fair to say, they took my words literally, and certainly enjoyed themselves over the last couple of days. The last 48 hours and the parade yesterday were just unbelievable.”

The season has been far from easy for Postecoglou, who suffered through a severe injury crisis and faced intense scrutiny from fans and pundits in the process, many of whom tipped him for the sack even after winning the Europa League.

“It's fair to say we've had a real tough time this year, and I’ve said it quite a few times, that could have made my position really, really difficult, more difficult than people know.

“I could have felt very sort of isolated, but the fact that this group of players and the staff that I work closely with just stayed true and still believed in me, it is just tremendous pride to see that then come to fruition in something so special.

“Obviously you take on a great responsibility when you take over as a manager of a football club, there’s a lot resting on your shoulders.

“I can tell you every manager, whoever sort of fortunate enough to win something, he'll tell you the first feeling you have more than anything else is just relief. Relief that, you know, all the burden you've carried has been rewarded.”

Ange Postecoglou has confirmed that he is yet to hold talks with Tottenham hierarchy as his future with the club remains up in the air.

The Australian has been under pressure throughout this campaign as Spurs languish in 17th in the Premier League, with many tipping him to be sacked at the end of the season, regardless of the outcome of the Europa League final.

Addressing tens of thousands of Spurs fans at the trophy parade on Friday, he appeared to confirm he would be staying on for another year, saying “all the best television series, season three is better than season two."

“I haven’t had any discussions with the club,” he said. “Like I said before the [Europa League final], I was just waiting for clear air to to give me some guidance.

“I assume at some point somebody will tell me something, or if not I’m just gonna roll up next season like [George] Costanza in Seinfeld, and sit at my desk and get on with my job.

“I should have thought about [promising a third season] a bit more, because as some have rightly pointed out, sometimes they kill off the main character, so I could be in strife there.”

Asked whether he had given any thought to his future, he said he had been entirely focused on the final: “I havent given it a lot of thought. As I said, I refused to be distracted by anything other than the opportunity that was before us, and before the game I wanted to take that.”

“I said even before the game that I really believe we were just building something. A significant win accelerates that, and I really believe that’s the case.

“I will not put a limit on what we can achieve, but I certainly believe that its exciting, the possibilities of next year, knowing I’ve got a group of players now, and staff and a club that knows what it takes to win and wants more of it.”