Ange: I’ve loved every minute of crazy season
Of these two teams heading south it was Ange Postecoglou who left with something to toast on tottenham’s long haul to Australia. Dejan Kulusevski scored twice and Pedro Porro once against sheffield United as spurs sealed fifth place and qualification for the europa League with 66 points, while fans sang about Arsenal’s demise in the title race.
It is an improvement of six points on last season, though a scintillating start under Postecoglou gave way to a spluttering end with four victories in the last 11 games, against the Premier League’s bottom four.
‘Contrary to my general demeanour, I’ve loved every minute of it,’ said the spurs boss before the bus ride to east Midlands Airport, from where tottenham were due to fly by private charter to Melbourne via a short refuelling stop for a friendly against Newcastle United tomorrow.
‘It’s a great challenge, taking over a big club that didn’t have a great year last year. so you understand it’s not going to run smoothly. I’ve got lofty ambitions for the club and until that point I’m not going to be smiling much.
‘It’s been good, eventful. A bit of everything. Not delighted with way we finished but in fairness we’ve been in the top five all year, after fair bit of upheaval when we were eighth last season with a big turnover of personnel.
‘It’s not easy to maintain levels when you’re trying to do that and we’ve been competitive for the most part. Overall, we’ve got the maximum effort from everyone and that’s all any manager can ask for.’
Chris Wilder’s Blades are going Down Under in another sense. Back into the Championship after a dismal campaign in which they have won three times, collected 16 points, scored 35 goals and conceded a record 104.
the nature of this defeat went some way to summing up the whole season. they huffed and puffed only to be outclassed and overwhelmed by a better team, who did not look like losing after going ahead in the 14th minute.
Collecting a pass from son heung-min after Micky van de Ven had won the ball on the left, Kulusevski drove the ball low past Wes foderingham on the turn.
sheffield United might easily have scored first. Ben Brereton Diaz was clean through in the opening seconds but fired over and then hit a post when picked out by Gustavo hamer. Once ahead, spurs dominated the first half.
‘When adversity strikes we don’t have enough to dig ourselves out,’ said boss Wilder. ‘the league has been n too strong for us. It’s been a poor season but this is nott a poor football club. I am more excited, determined and committed mmitthan ever to get it right.’
foderingham made a series of fine saves to keep his team in it before half-time and enjoyed good fortune when Rodrigo Bentancur fizzed a low shot on to the post.
even so, Cameron Archer had two chances either side of halftime. One dragged wide after a poor touch, then a strong save by Guglielmo Vicario and that was that as spurs stretched clear.
first, through Porro’s searing strike, teed up by Brennan Johnson. then Kulusevski scored his secondseco of the af afternoon, turningti in a cross from James Maddison.
there was still time for a VAR farce when referee Andy Madley flashed a red card at Andre Brooks when son fell down at a corner. the collision appeared accidental and the decision was reversed.
On a day of small mercies, sheffield United can at least look forward to a VAR-free season in the Championship while spurs supporters celebrate Manchester City’s title and Postecoglou gets a lift home to Australia.
SHEFFIELD UNITED (3-4-2-1): Foderingham 7; Ahmedhodzic 6.5, Trusty 6, Robinson 6; Bogle 6, Arblaster 7 (Brooks 62min, 6), Osborn (Souza 5, 6), Lowe 6 (Holgate 70, 5); Hamer 6.5, Archer 5.5 (Brewster 62, 5); Brereton Diaz 6.5 (Jebbison 70, 5). Booked: Souza, Robinson.
Manager: Chris Wilder 6.
TOTTENHAM (4-3-3): Vicario 6.5; Porro 7.5 (Royal 76), Romero 7, Dragusin 7,
Van de Ven 6; Sarr 6 (Hojbjerg 66, 6), Bentancur 6.5 (Skipp 76), Maddison 6.5 (Moore 88); Johnson 6, KULUSEVSKI 8,
Son 7 (Scarlett 88).
Scorers: Kulusevski 14, 65, Porro 59. Booked: None.
Manager: Ange Postecoglou 7.
Referee: Andrew Madley 6.
Attendance: 29,116.