Ange Postecoglou’s fortunes may finally be reversed.After the manager complained that the football gods were against him last week.Dominic Solanke’s penalty after intervention by the video assistant referee sealed his side’s progress to the Europa League semi-finals in one of Australia’s pet peeves.
Postecoglou is likely to regret his decision to recall in September following Arsenal’s “permanent” trophy-winning defeat in his second year at the club.But after their north London rivals overcame the might of Real Madrid 24 hours earlier, Spurs still have work to do in a season full of disappointments.
A trip to the Arctic Circle awaits them to face Norway’s Bodø/Glimt in the last four after taking on Eintracht Frankfurt, who are aiming for Champions League qualification next season.But a disciplined Tottenham side showed they are still playing for their manager. Solanki, who has not scored in 12 games since January 4, had a stunning away victory after nerves struck after nearly eight minutes of injury time.
Some key players have returned as the Premier League has gone from bad to worse in recent weeks, but Solanke and James Maddison have been in the middle of the hug.Australia’s Speke suggested in advance that Spurs fans should be looking for a regular fixture in the last four of European competition “because it’s definitely not for this club”.In the absence of captain Son Heung-min due to a foot injury, his players were seen to seize the opportunity with open arms.
Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie were outstanding in defence, Rodrigo Bentancur held the midfield well and Postecoglou put his body on the line to win the decisive spot-kick.
Eintracht fans packed the end after one of the goals almost an hour before kick-off.There was an electric atmosphere as the players came out with the message “the Eagles are on the hunt”, with trophies representing their two previous triumphs in this competition and its predecessor, the Uefa Cup.
Nearly 3,000 Spurs fans braved the incessant rain as Jean-Mattéo Bahoya and Mario Götze both tested Guglielmo Vicario’s handling with early shots on the greasy surface.Hugo Ekitike made a long run forward from goalkeeper Kauã Santos, but Van DeVen bit the ground to get back in time.Son’s replacement Mathys Tel failed to connect well with Brennan Johnson’s cross, but Götze’s evening ended early as he clutched his hamstring before Tottenham’s first goal on 20 minutes.The Frenchman was on target with his next effort which drew a fine save from Santos.
Postecoglou was pleased with how his team grew in the game and had more hope heading into half-time.Santos thought Maddison had made a dangerous run, but VAR thought the Italian referee differently and sent a replay screen.Tel initially thought he would take it, but ultimately sent the keeper the wrong way as Solanke was replaced by Dejan Kulusevski after a good hold on goalkeeper Maddison.
Johnson, one of Dino Toppmöller’s assistants, was sent off after receiving a yellow card before the break and feeling the hosts had finished the second half with difficulty.A free-kick from 35 yards crossed his own goal and a free-kick from Götze’s substitute Farès Chaïbi, with Vicario sprawling, would quicken Postecoglou’s pulse.
Cristian Romero and Bentancur both had golden chances to get more comfortable from corners but couldn’t hit the target.Ekitike believed he should have been awarded a penalty after Romero was cleared, but this time the VAR did not correctly say there was no contact after the replay.
Postecoglou must have checked his watch ten times after Spurs won. Vicario responded brilliantly to save Chaïbi’s effort with his legs before ex-Leed defender Rasmus Kristensen’s goal was intercepted to ensure Tottenham’s season was very much alive and kicking.
