MIRACLE MAN
Spurs join Euro elite courtesy of Conte
ANTONIO CONTE was serenaded in the sunshine as Spurs completed their transformation in style with five goals, a return to the Champions League and a share of the Golden Boot for Son Heung-min.
The Italian had claimed when he arrived in November, with the team trailing in ninth, that it would take a miracle for Spurs to make the top four. In the end, it came with a couple of points to spare.
‘In my mind, my heart, my head I know what we did in these seven months,’ said Conte. ‘We didn’t lift a trophy but I worked a lot with my players to bring this club to play Champions League. I want to consider this qualification like a trophy.’
Home wins against Arsenal and Burnley were decisive and this trip to Norwich became a glorious procession. Dejan Kulusevski struck twice either side of a diving header by Harry Kane and Son grabbed two late goals inside five minutes to end the campaign on 23, level at the top of the charts with Liverpool’s Mo Salah.
Conte spoke afterwards about the need to improve the squad to compete on a higher level and satisfy his personal ambitions but declined to confirm he will remain in charge next season.
‘I’m under contract until next summer. I signed for one year and seven months,’ he said. ‘I enjoyed a lot my time in Tottenham. It was a big challenge to come in during the season, something not simple for a coach like me. On the other hand, I am a person with ambition. I like to fight for something important. I like to fight to win trophies. For me this is a trophy and I am very happy.
‘We’ll see. Now, it’s good to have three, four, five days of rest and with a clear mind you can consider the season and find the best possible solution. You have to be calm before you talk. There is a lot of emotion in my mind, my heart now.’
Tottenham fans made their feelings clear as they sang Conte’s name. Relegated Norwich slipped behind in the 16th minute, when Rodrigo Bentancur cut the ball square for Kulusevski to tap in. A Tim Krul error led to the second, kicking a clearance straight to Bentancur, who crossed for Kane to head in.
After a promising start to the second half, the hosts disintegrated. The mood in the away end was more celebratory as Kulusevski curled in his second, a brilliant strike by the Swede who muscled past Dimitris Giannoulis before finding the top corner.
Eventually, Son found the net, a shot rapped firm and low, after a clever pass from Lucas Moura. His second soon followed, a delicious curler from outside the box to take him level with Salah, who came off the bench to score for Liverpool. The honour is shared and they receive a trophy each.
‘It’s incredible to have this award,’ said Son. ‘I missed the easiest chances and scored the toughest ones but I didn’t give up. I wanted to score and the team helped me a lot.
‘I got really emotional. I dreamed of it as a child. Literally, it’s my in hands. I can’t believe it.’