Premier League

Player ratings as Spurs clinch Europa League place

Player ratings as Spurs clinch Europa League place

Tottenham Hotspur wrapped up fifth place in the Premier League with a commanding victory over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Sunday afternoon.

A brace from Dejan Kulusevski and Pedro Porro’s thunderbolt led Spurs to victory and Europa League qualification in their final game of Ange Postecoglou’s first campaign as manager.

The defeat provided more pain for Blades fans, who saw their side fall to a 28th league defeat of the season.

How the game unfolded

The first real opportunity for the home side to test Guglielmo Vicario came in the sixth minute with Gustavo Hamer standing over a free-kick in a favourable position. Fortunately for the travelling support, the midfielder’s strike lacked the venom to beat the Italian stopper.

Ben Brereton Diaz rattled the woodwork just before the ten-minute mark having been found in Spurs’ box by Hamer. However, even if the ball had hit the back of the net, it would have been ruled offside.

Despite United having a measure of control in the opening stages, the visitors struck first as Kulusevski fired low and powerfully past Wes Foderingham.

The winger could have had a second in the 20th minute but Foderingham was equal to his effort, palming the shot wide before his defenders came to sweep up possession.

Spurs continued their onslaught as Rodrigo Bentancur hit the post from just outside the box and Son Heung-min volleyed goal-bound with Foderingham at full stretch to save. The Blades keeper next denied Porro from range.

Down the other end, Cameron Archer found himself one-on-one with Vicario but could not take his opportunity, dragging the ball desperately wide.

As the first half drew to a close, Foderingham was once again on hand to stop Spurs from furthering their advantage, saving James Maddison’s punt from close range.

Vicario was immediately called into action at the start of the second half, sprawling to deny Archer’s strike. However, any potential goal would have been disallowed due to offside.

It was 2-0 on the hour mark after a series of chances as Porro smashed the ball past Foderingham and moments later Tottenham were even further ahead as Kulusevski slotted in less fiercely, assisted by Maddison.

The next incident of note was substitute Andre Brooks being sent off for bringing down Son in the box. However, following a look at the pitch-side monitor, referee Andy Madley rescinded the red card.

It should have been 4-0 in the 81st minute as Brennan Johnson spooned the ball over but Spurs nevertheless did enough to secure…

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