_Editor’s note: Sorry this is so late - the backend of the website crashed!_
It’s not often [Tottenham Hotspur](https://cartilagefreecaptain.sbnation.com) play in a match like this.
It’s also not often that seemingly so much hinges on the outcome of a match like this.
In recent years, Tottenham Hotspur would have crumbled under this level of pressure. Hampered by injuries, in terrible recent form, and up against a titan of an opponent in [Manchester United](https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com), one could be forgiven for expecting a capitulation.
This side is made of stronger stuff, as the Lilywhites shrugged all of that off and put in an absolute lung-buster of a performance to claim the Europa League trophy, the club’s third European trophy and first trophy in 17 years.
Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs side lined up as largely expected, with Pape Matar Sarr fit enough to suit up in the third midfield role, but with Son Heung-min coming off the bench as Richarlison retained his starting position on the left. Dane Scarlett also made an unexpected appearance, named to the bench following his surgery in recent months; but there was no such surprise for Lucas Bergvall, unable to return to fitness in time for the final. Ruben Amorim did spring something of a surprise in his side, however, as Lenny Yoro returned from injury and Mason Mount was preferred in place of Manuel Ugarte or Alejandro Garnacho.
The first half was a scrappy affair, punctuated by moments of quality: a Pedro Porro cross towards Richarlison was only narrowly dealt with by the Manchester United back three, before Amad Diallo flashed a shot past Guglielmo Vicario’s right-hand upright at a tight angle following a corner. The Spurs faithful were in full voice in the crowd though, and even though neither side looked particularly good, Spurs seemed to have a modicum of control, buoyed on by cheers from the stands.
Spurs soon made this control count, opening the scoring in a moment that was a microcosm of how the half had progressed. Pape Matar Sarr started the move when he won possession in the press with a smart interception, before the Senegalese midfielder ended up out wide on the left with space for a cross. Cutting in on his right, the centered ball was arguably underhit, but the Manchester United defense failed to deal with it as Brennan Johnson attacked the ball. Johnson actually seemed to look for a flick back towards another attacker, but it rebounded off Luke Shaw and dribbled in at the near post with Andre Onana scrambling. A messy match deserved a messy goal, and Spurs took a vital lead.
With their 1-0 halftime lead probably deserved, Tottenham Hotspur had a golden chance to put things out of sight early in the second 45. Destiny Udogie smartly came across to win the ball off Diallo in Spurs’ 18-yard area, before surging forward. After a couple of passes, the Italian fullback was running into space at United’s backline, before passing across to Dominic Solanke who was through on goal. Solanke took a poor touch though, and Spurs were forced to reset.
Manchester United, perhaps inspired by that let-off, began to gain a real foothold in the match. Richarlison, excellent in the first half, came off for Son, as Spurs looked for a way out of their half. The Red Devils continued to press for an equalizer, though, and nearly had one but for the heroics of Micky van de Ven. Vicario came to claim a routine cross, but collided with Dominic Solanke and spilled the ball, with Rasmus Højlund picking up the scraps and heading the ball towards an open goal. It looked destined to nestle in the back of the net, Spurs’ Dutch center back leapt high to bicycle kick the ball away from danger on the goal line.
More substitutions followed as United searched for a goal and Spurs tried to contain. Amorim brought in Alejandro Garnacho, Joshua Zirkzee, and Kobbie Mainoo for Højlund, Mount, and Patrick Dorgu, while Postecoglou switched to a back three, withdrawing Brennan Johnson for Kevin Danso, before Djed Spence and Archie Gray made appearances in place of Sarr and Udogie.
Manchester United continued to press, but Tottenham Hotspur continued to hold firm, turning away wave after wave of attack. The Spurs fans in the crowd grew bolder, and Spurs dropped deeper. Seven minutes of added time made neither side happy, as one of Manchester United’s staff received a caution in the technical area. That chippiness was reflected on the pitch as Cristian Romero and Harry Maguire were at each other’s throats, with the latter earning himself a yellow card.
Cross after cross continued into the Spurs penalty area, with cross after cross repelled - until one made its way through. Luke Shaw attacked the ball with a towering header with no time left on the clock, only for Vicario to dive to his left and make possibly the most vital save of his career. That was enough for Spurs to see the match out, as they won the match, and the trophy, 1-0.
Reactions
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* **Spurs are Europa League Champions.** Just breathe that in. Bask in it.
* I am sitting here on my couch in New Zealand, wearing my Hojbjerg galaxy kit, crying as I type this. What a ride. What a season.
* This was such a messy match; but on an occasion like this, it doesn’t matter how you win them - just that you win them. And win it Spurs did.
* I can’t speak highly enough of how Ange Postecoglou managed this match. It was a true final performance, as Spurs’ press was unleashed in the first half, with United unable to deal with the pressure. As soon as Spurs went up and the attackers began to tire, Ange prioritized solidity and dropped into a firm defensive structure. United were reduced to crosses and pot shots.
* Sonny has a trophy. Surely he now goes down in history as a Spurs legend.
* As will Ange Postecoglou. He always wins a trophy in his second season. ALWAYS.
* I want to reserve the highest of my praise though for two much maligned figures in Spurs’ season: Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma. Biss was a titan in covering the defense, and Sarr was everywhere.
* Sarr’s positioning was honestly so good; he rotated between Manchester United’s midfield double pivot and made it near impossible for United to play out from the back, with a number of key interceptions, not least the one that led to Spurs’ goal.
* What can I say about the defense? Micky’s goal line clearance was astounding, and though Vicario had a slightly mixed night, he made a couple of saves when it counted. Kevin Danso subbed into a cauldron, and immediately adapted to the pace of the match, winning a number of key headers from United crosses and set pieces. And Cuti was... well, Cuti, cutting out a number of attacking moves with his customary aggression and routinely getting Spurs back on the front foot with his passing.
* Who knows what happens next with this crazy, crazy club - but for now, let’s just bask in the glory and celebrate. Go off in the comments below.
* **SPURS ARE EUROPA LEAGUE CHAMPIONS!!!!!!! COYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!**