Tottenham End Trophy Drought with Europa League Victory Over Manchester United

TDT | Manama

Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

Tottenham Hotspur ended a 17-year wait for silverware with a 1-0 win over Manchester United in the Europa League final in Bilbao, securing their first trophy since the 2008 League Cup and a coveted Champions League spot for next season.

Brennan Johnson’s scrappy first-half goal proved decisive in a tense, low-quality affair at San Mames. The 42nd-minute strike came after Pape Sarr’s cross exposed United’s fragile defence, with the ball deflecting off both Johnson and Luke Shaw past a static Andre Onana in goal.

Both sides have endured torrid Premier League campaigns, with Spurs languishing in 17th and United in 16th, but Tottenham’s success offered a glimmer of redemption. It marks their first European trophy since the 1984 UEFA Cup and vindicates manager Ange Postecoglou, who had promised silverware in his second season at the club.

Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario was instrumental, denying Alejandro Garnacho’s fierce strike and Luke Shaw’s late header to preserve the lead. A stunning clearance off the line by Micky van de Ven also thwarted Rasmus Hojlund’s second-half chance.

Postecoglou, under pressure after Tottenham’s 21 league defeats this season, described the win as a defining moment. “I know what it means for this football club,” he said. “Until you take that monkey off your back, you never understand what it feels like.”

For Manchester United, the defeat deepens a miserable season. Manager Ruben Amorim now faces the daunting task of rebuilding without European football next term, while Spurs’ victory extends their unbeaten run against United to seven matches, including a historic four wins in four encounters this season.