It was a convincing performance from Tottenham Hotspur away at Bramall Lane yesterday. Tottenham had 77% of the ball and created many chances against an already relegated Sheffield United side to secure a 5th place finish and Europa League football next season, which is a clear progression after finishing 8th the season before and losing the main man in Harry Kane. Ange Postecoglou has revitalised the team and made us less dependent on one man, and now many players can cause issues and pop up with goals. This will be explored more in next week’s article with a full season round up, but as far as the Sheffield United game is concerned it was a comfortable result.
Sheffield United did take control of the game in the early stages as the home team were eager to get off to a good start to reward their fans with something this season after already having their relegation to the Championship confirmed weeks ago. Brereton Diaz sliced the ball over the Tottenham goal after an early mix up at the back between Cristian Romero and Radu Dragusin. It was a clinical moment that put Tottenham ahead, as Dejan Kulusevski struck the ball in off the right side post on 14 minutes following good pressing from Micky Van De Ven and some sharp passing between him, Heung-Min Son, James Maddison and the Sweden International. Kulusevski looked bright in that central striker role, which he occupied due to the injury of Richarlison.
Tottenham created many chances for the remainder of the first half with Bentancur hitting the post after trying to pass it into the bottom corner. Brennan Johnson retrieved it and found Son who had his shot saved by Foderingham, and Romero missed the easiest chance of the lot seconds later, proving why he is a centre back and not a striker.
Pedro Porro thundered in Tottenham’s second with a powerful effort after 14 second half minutes, after a bunch of Tottenham players struggled to get shots away. Porro just hit it and it flew past Foderingham before he could react. Son with an absolutely beautiful ball to Maddison who cut it back to Kulusevski for his second of the game just minutes later.
There were more minutes for Dane Scarlett and 16 year old Mikey Moore, who made his debut in the last game against Manchester City, which was great to see. Tottenham will be in the Europa League next season.