Tottenham Hotspur capped off their first season under Ange Postecoglou with a decisive 3-0 victory against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on a scorching Sunday afternoon. Dejan Kulusevski’s brace, and a goal from Pedro Porro, highlighted a commanding performance from Spurs, securing the spoils in the final match of the campaign.
The afternoon began on an emotional note as Sheffield United fans bid farewell to several long-serving players. George Baldock, Chris Basham, and Ollie Norwood were honored in a pre-match presentation, acknowledging their impending departures.
Wes Foderingham and Max Lowe were also involved.
Lineups
First half
United started the match with promise, seizing an early opportunity when Ben Brereton Diaz fired over the bar following a mistake by Spurs’ Radu Dragușin. However, the bright start was marred by Brereton-Diaz picking up an injury, forcing him to be replaced by Souza. Moments later, Brereton-Diaz came close again, striking the post.
Tottenham opened the scoring in the 14th minute. Dejan Kulusevski finished expertly from a tight angle after a well-worked build-up involving Micky van de Ven. The Swedish forward looked to double his tally soon after, but United’s goalkeeper Wes Foderingham made a crucial save.
Despite Tottenham’s lead, United had chances to level the score. Cameron Archer dragged a shot wide, squandering a clear opportunity.
Tottenham, however, continued to press. Rodrigo Bentancur hit the post, and Foderingham denied both Son Heung-min and Cristian Romero in quick succession. Spurs maintained their pressure until the break, with Pedro Porro and James Maddison both testing Foderingham.
Second half
The second half saw Spurs double their lead in the 59th minute. Pedro Porro unleashed a thunderbolt after Foderingham had made consecutive saves from Maddison and van de Ven. There was a brief VAR check for offside, but the goal stood.
Kulusevski netted his second and Tottenham’s third, converting a precise cross from Maddison to put the game beyond doubt. The Swede’s clinical finishing underscored a dominant performance from the visitors.
Late in the match, Sheffield United’s substitute Andre Brooks received a red card for an apparent shove on Son Heung-min, with the South Korean rolling around on the floor over a nothing incident. And after a VAR review, referee Andrew Madley overturned his own poor decision, reducing the red card to a yellow.
The Blades ended their Premier League campaign conceding 104 goals and the defence will undoubtedly be seeing a refresh this summer along with the rest of the squad. But, before the misery commenced, the careers of Oliver Norwood, George Baldock and Chris Basham were quite rightly appreciated by supporters pre-match.
