Spurs 1-0 Manchester United: Brennan Johnson scores decisive goal as Spurs end trophy drought in Bilbao | OneFootball

Brennan Johnson has written his name in Tottenham Hotspur history after being credited with scoring the winning goal in their UEFA Europa League final triumph against Manchester United.

With Spurs and United both struggling in the Premier League, a scrappy final at San Mamés was perhaps to be expected – but it was Ange Postecoglou’s side that took the lead just before the break when a Pape Sarr cross was bundled over the line by the Welshman.

The result hands Tottenham Hotspur their first trophy since 2008, and their first European honour since 1984.

As it happened

A scrappy start to life at the San Mamés saw Spurs apply early pressure, but it was Manchester United’s Amad that forced the best chance of the opening quarter-hour when his tight-angled shot flew across the face of goal from a Bruno Fernandes corner.

The Red Devils came close again as half-time approached with Amad breaking free on the right flank and cutting inside to unleash a shot, only for Richarlison to smother and allow Vicário to produce a relatively easy save.

But for all of United’s chances, it was Spurs that took the lead in the 42nd minute with a finish that epitomised the scrappy nature of this UEFA Europa League final. Pape Sarr’s cross from the left caused pandemonium inside the box, with Luke Shaw seemingly getting the final touch as he inadvertently bundled past his own goalkeeper – though OPTA later confirmed that Brennan Johnson had the decisive touch.

Ruben Amorim held off on making changes at the break, with the decision seemingly coming back to cost his side as they appeared lethargic throughout the second half – with Casemiro in particular struggling for pace against a rapid Spurs attack.

While Johnson may have bagged the winner, Micky van de Ven will be just as deserving of the plaudits after a sensational goal-line clearance that denied a Rasmus Højlund header with 20 minutes remaining in the Basque Country.

When Amorim did eventually introduce changes to his attacking line, United began to apply pressure and came close to forcing an equaliser on a handful of occasions, with Bruno Fernandes sending a header marginally wide of the target before Alejandro Garnacho forced a low save from Vicário after dancing past Pedro Porro.

Four golden chances in the final four golden minutes didn’t come to fruition for The Red Devils, with Leny Yoro powering a shot over the bar, Casemiro denied a penalty and Shaw seeing a header saved by the goalkeeper before Casemiro’s astonishing acrobatic effort – the very last chance of the night – struck the side netting.

Spurs end their 17-year-long wait for a major trophy with victory in the UEFA Europa League, and will compete in next season’s UEFA Champions League as a result – despite their poor Premier League performance.

The lineups