It has been a 17-year wait but at long last, Tottenham Hotspur has won a trophy.

The north London club downed Manchester United, 1-0 in Bilbao , Spain today with Brennan Johnson scoring in the 42nd minute to win the Europa League trophy.

Spurs manager Ange Postegoglou said earlier this season,”  I always win a trophy in my second season.”  Spurs have had a horrendous Premier League season where they currently languish in 17th position and could have found themselves in a relegation dog fight. 

“ Big Ange” has taken stinging criticism for his all-out attack style of play and the team’s poor performance this season. Last year, Spurs finished fifth and so have not made progress. The team has been plagued by injuries and for many matches, the Australian has had to send out youngsters week after week.

He said he would deliver and he has. Despite it all, he has come out a winner, delivering that long-awaited trophy. This victory sees Spurs qualify for the Champions’ League.

This match did not showcase football at its finest. Spurs had to grind it out with Postegoclou going the sensible route this time with a back five formation in the second half. They had to defend like their lives depended on it,  repelling wave after wave of Manchester United attacks. Postecoglou’s men had just three shots on goal and 28 per cent possession, completing just 115 passes. They were a bit nervy and cautious but managed to keep a clean sheet and get the job done.

The white side of north London is in fine voice, more so with their rivals Arsenal not winning anything this season. There is a lot to sing about.

Some have said that Postecoglou should be sacked after a terrible season which saw Spurs losing 21 times in the EPL. They placed fifth last season, narrowly missing out on a Champions League spot and played exciting football. It was a different story this season and they have had so many injuries. 

He deserves to continue in the job and he has said he wants to. Comparisons with former Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag who got sacked a few months after winning the FA Cup are misplaced. Ange Postecoglou is a breath of fresh air in the EPL and his style of play aligns with the Tottenham way – The Game is about Glory. 

Chairman  Daniel Levy has had a rotating door of managers over the last decade. Spurs needs stability and to find a manager who can galvanise the team and win football matches. This trophy should SPUR them on to other momentous victories. Postecoglou’s work is not yet done.

Tottenham Hotspur have a good spine and with a one or two additions should be up there with the best of them. There is good camaraderie, a balance between more seasoned players and promising youngsters. With Son Heung -Min, Rodrigo Bentancur, Micky van de Ven , Dominike Solanke,  Richarlison, Brennan Johnson ( who has scored 18 goals this season), Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, on their day these guys are handful.

Postecoglou has been saying for some time this season, when his best players return from injury, it will be a different story. He has now brought silverware to Tottenham Hotspur and they are in the Champions League. It’s a fantastic way to sign off on a woeful season and yet promise made, promise kept.

In life, it’s not how you get there, it’s the fact that you get there. That’s is what is remembered. Postecoglou has won a trophy in his second season and Spurs will be coining it next season with Champions League receipts.

It is also gratifying to see Spurs legend Harry Kane win a trophy with Bayern Munich ,having won this year’s Bungdesliga. What a great year for Harry! He must have a smile from ear to ear tonight! For so long, it was thrown at him, that he hasn’t won anything. Now he has and so too has Spurs.

This is Tottenham’s first European cup win since 1984. Before winning a trophy, they had been to seven semi-finals and lost four finals. The tag “Spursy” has stuck but that can be forgotten at least for tonight.

Postecoglou was criticised and pilloried this season but he has come out a winner and can hold his head up  high. He has brought glory to himself and to Tottenham Hotspur.

I wonder what Sir Alex Ferguson makes of this Manchester United who have gone backwards since he left in 2013. Remember his line, “Lads, it’s Spurs.”  It sure is Sir Alex.

The cock truly crows!