Tottenham triumphs 2-1 over Ferencváros in the Europa League, thanks to Brennan Johnson’s decisive goal. Explore the key moments and player performances.
Introduction:
Tottenham Hotspur did just enough to come away from Budapest with a closely contested 2-1 win over Ferencváros as their fine run under Ange Postecoglou continued in the UEFA Europa League. Goals from Pape Sarr and Brennan Johnson were enough for maximum points for Spurs but a late strike by Barnabás Varga into the net of the visitors forced the Premier League side to sit on the edge of their seats at the end. The win marks Tottenham’s fifth in succession across the three competitions.
Bright Start for Tottenham
Tottenham began reasonably composed and in control, but then they set an absolutely fantastic tempo right from the start of the match – kick-off. Ange Postecoglou’s side was fluent in its possession as it moved the ball sensibly across the grounds. James Maddison was one of the three midfielders who spearheaded the attack of Spurs, and the trio probed on ferociously into Ferencváros’s defense to find holes.
See also: Tottenham Hotspur Secures 2-1 Victory, Leading to Burnley’s Relegation
Their pressure told mid way through the first half when opportunism presented Tottenham with the lead. When the Ferencváros defence failed to clear their lines, loose in the penalty area was Pape Sarr who slotted the ball calmly past the goalkeeper to give the visitors a 1-0 advantage. A neat finish, but what made it really stand out is that it was the right positioning and anticipation that put Spurs ahead in what had thus far been a tight encounter.
Brennan Johnson Impact Off the Bench
Tottenham dominated possession in the second half, though it proved really tough to unlock Ferencváros as they were so stout. Noticing fresh legs and more attacking personalities were required, Postecoglou replaced Brennan Johnson from the bench.
Johnson, who has been in sparkling form, did not take long to get off the mark. Reacting to a particularly sharp through ball, he shook off his marker and placed a composed finish, becoming the fifth game in succession to find the net. His ability to influence the game from the bench has made him a very important man for Spurs’ attacking arsenal, and the goal was an eighth example of his clinical finishing.
Having taken Spurs’ lead to 2-0, a Johnson’s goal, Tottenham now seemed fairly out of reach. At this point, Spurs appeared pretty comfortable. They were controlling both the pace and tempo by means of their two-goal cushion.
Through Varga, Ferencváros Fight Back
Ferencváros showed the fight of champions, however, as they attacked in search of their lifeline after falling two goals behind. The reward came when Varga levelled with a sumptuous volley into the back of the net, three minutes from the break, reducing Tottenham’s advantage to 2-1. A moment of absolute quality, Varga’s strike beat the Spurs defence into submission and restored hope to the home side.
As the crowd responded with them, and Varga’s goal provided much-needed momentum, Ferencváros pressed hard for the equalizing score. They pinned Tottenham back in the final stages of the match and forced Postecoglou’s men to a defensive posture. The late surge of Ferencváros was not enough, however, as Spurs were well-defended at the back with a few crucial interventions from Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven to preserve their very narrow lead.
Tottenham’s Defensive Resilience
While Tottenham received all praise for their exciting football this season, on the day, it was their defensive solidity that proved to be the difference between three and four points at Budapest. Organised and disciplined to the core, Ange Postecoglou’s men were at least untestable to Ferencváros in the dying embers of the game, when they sought to turn up the heat. Guglielmo Vicario made crucial saves to hold onto Tottenham’s advantage while Ben Davies and Emerson Royal were marathon runners to put their solidity in the defense.
The game ended 2-1 in favor of Tottenham, and Postecoglou must have been pretty elated with the outcome as his side successfully closed out a tricky game. Not only does this victory continue the unbeaten run for Tottenham but also demonstrates their ability to clinch results at difficult away matches.
Conclusion: Spurs Continue Their Winning Streak
Tottenham thrashed Ferencváros 2-1 to make it another match at Spurs under Ange Postecoglou. Winners of the day were long-term efforts by Sarr and Johnson, while the team did well as a whole, particularly at defense. Tottenham are gaining form with five consecutive wins in all competitions, having a serious chance this season.