Player Ratings: Brennan Johnson Shines as Tottenham Hotspur Relegate Southampton | OneFootball
Brennan Johnson Brilliance Seals Southampton’s Premier League Fate
Southampton’s long, painful campaign reached its inevitable conclusion on Sunday as Tottenham Hotspur delivered the final blow to their Premier League survival hopes with a 3-1 win in north London. For Spurs, it was a return to winning ways at last – their first league victory since February – but the real story was Brennan Johnson’s decisive display, which both sealed the result and underscored Southampton’s relegation.
Controlled Spurs Leave Little Doubt
Tottenham Hotspur entered the contest not just looking for three points but for a statement of intent, and what they offered was calculated control. Ange Postecoglou’s men were methodical in possession and disciplined without it. Southampton, by contrast, were sluggish and static. Ivan Juric’s side failed to get a foothold in the first half, barely venturing out of their own half under the weight of Spurs’ pressing.
Photo: IMAGO
It didn’t take long for that pressure to pay off. Brennan Johnson, electric from the outset, made it 1-0 with a sharp left-footed strike after a neat cross from Djed Spence. The goal was Tottenham Hotspur’s reward for their early dominance and only spurred them on further.
Lucas Bergvall thought he had doubled the lead not long after, but VAR intervened. Still, Johnson ensured the home crowd had more to cheer before the break, pouncing again from close range to make it 2-0 and leave the Saints teetering.
Brief Flicker Before Final Blow
To Southampton’s credit, they emerged from the dressing room with renewed urgency. Their best spell came early in the second half, with Mateus Fernandes and Kamaldeen Sulemana attempting to orchestrate a revival. But as has so often been the case this season, possession didn’t translate into clear-cut chances.
A flicker of hope arrived in the 90th minute when Fernandes finally found the net, but any hopes of a late comeback were quickly extinguished. Substitute Mathys Tel dispatched a calm penalty in stoppage time to settle the tie and confirm Southampton’s fate.
As far as Premier League farewells go, this was not a rousing one for the Saints. They now face the sobering reality of life in the Championship – a division they’ve not graced in over a decade.
Photo: IMAGO
Spurs Rediscover Rhythm at Crucial Juncture
Tottenham Hotspur may not be chasing European glory this season, but performances like this will give Postecoglou a foundation to build from. Brennan Johnson’s brace wasn’t just a show of clinical finishing – it was a performance full of energy and intelligence, his movement constantly stretching Southampton’s fragile backline.
James Maddison, too, looked close to his best, while Djed Spence’s contribution at left-back will not go unnoticed. This may have been a dead rubber in the wider context of the Premier League table, but for Spurs fans, it felt like a rediscovery of purpose.
Johnson’s Double, Saints’ Despair: What It All Means
For Southampton, the descent into the Championship is now confirmed. There were moments of defiance – Fernandes’ goal chief among them – but this squad has too often lacked cohesion and cutting edge in the moments that mattered. Rebuilding will be a long process, especially if key players move on.
As for Tottenham, they climb to 13th, a modest ascent but one that comes with the comfort of three points and the assurance that Postecoglou’s methods, while still in progress, are beginning to resonate again.
Player Ratings
Tottenham Hotspur (4-2-3-1)