Tottenham ended a 17-year trophyless run and sent hapless Manchester United into deep crisis as the much-maligned Ange Postecoglou secured a 1-0 victory in the Europa League final on Wednesday.
It was a 'Bilbao or bust' moment for these teams given their poor performances in the English Premier League, but San Mames delivered the coveted trophy and much-needed Champions League qualification to the winners.
Spurs won a tense final between two English sides thanks to a Brennan Johnson goal, partly thanks to a Luke Shaw touch, a Micky van de Ven goal-line clearance and a stoppage-time save from Guglielmo Vicario, to secure their first trophy since the 2008 League Cup.
Beaming manager Postecoglou silenced the critics – at least for now – by delivering on his promise to lift the trophy in his second season, while United will now face their first season without European football since 2014-15.
Ruben Amorim's already difficult rebuilding process is made even more difficult without Champions League qualification after the Red Devils suffered their first Europa League defeat of the season at the worst possible time.
It was Tottenham's worst season in the top flight since relegation 51 years ago but it was a night of triumph for Tottenham as Postecoglou's side joined the 1972 and 1984 UEFA Cup winners in immortalising their name.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
