Share this @internewscast.com

Brennan Johnson’s prolific post-Instagram life goes on. Since deactivating his account, he has settled into a happy rhythm of a goal per game for Tottenham, performing like a one-man crusade against the ills of social media.

His fifth in five came from the bench in Budapest and proved to be the winner against Ferencvaros in the Europa League. Dejan Kulusevski created the space with a smart run and Johnson darted in from the right to find the bottom corner with another of those precision finishes which are fast becoming his trademark.

‘I never doubted he would make a massive impact for us and now he’s changing games for us,’ said Ange Postecoglou on Johnson. Pape Matar Sarr had opened the scoring in the first half although Spurs were grateful for Johnson’s goal, which doubled the lead before Barnabas Varga pulled one back for the Hungarian champions.

There was Archie Gray, who spent the first half in central defence before switching to left-back and was wonderfully composed and unruffled in both roles, and Lucas Bergvall, in midfield. There was Mikey Moore making his first start, initially wide on the right, and later on the left.

Brennan Johnson came off the bench to score for Tottenham for the fifth game in succession

Brennan Johnson came off the bench to score for Tottenham for the fifth game in succession

A young Spurs side started the game, with Archie Gray, 18, lining up in various defensive areas

A young Spurs side started the game, with Archie Gray, 18, lining up in various defensive areas

Mikey Moore, 17, was making his first start for the club

Will Lankshear, meanwhile, was debuting for Spurs

Mikey Moore (left), 17, and Will Lankshear (right), 18, made their first starts for the club

And making his debut up front was Will Lankshear, who missed an early chance, when he mistimed a header from a cross by Timo Werner and was unfortunate with a couple of opportunities in the second half.

MATCH FACTS AND PLAYER RATINGS

Ferencvaros (4-2-3-1): Dibusz; Gartenmann (Makreckis 77), Cisse, Gustavo, Ramirez; Abu Fani (Pesic 84), Maiga, Traore (Borges 77); Saldanha (Zachariassen 60), Civic (Ben Romdhane 60); Varga

Subs not used: Varga, Botka, Szalai, Rommens, Toth, Misidjan, Gruber

Goal: Varga 90

Booked: Civic

Manager: Pascal Jansen 

Tottenham (4-3-3): Vicario 7; Porro 7.5, Romero 7, Gray 8, Davies 6; Sarr 7 (Solanke 81), Bissouma 6.5, Bergvall 6 (Kulusevski 65, 6.5); Moore 7, Lankshear 6.5 (Maddison 66, 6), Werner 5 (Johnson 65, 7.5)

Subs: Forster, Austin, Bentancur, Van de Ven, Dorrington, Cassanova, Ajayi

Goals: Sarr 23, Johnson 80

Manager: Ange Postecoglou 7

Seventeen-year-old Moore flickered with promise. ‘I thought he was outstanding,’ said Postecoglou. ‘It’s brilliant for a 17-year-old to play 90-plus minutes in a European away tie.

‘It’s just his ability to deal with pressure and keeping the ball in really tight areas and making really good clean decisions for a young guy. He keeps his feet well, drives inside, takes man his man on.

‘He handled it brilliantly and I kind of knew he would. Mikey has shown something special, but we have to be careful how we develop that.’

Lankshear and Moore were involved in Sarr’s goal although the crux of it was terrible defending. Moore dribbled inside and flicked a pass towards Lankshear who battled with the centre-halves as they failed to clear the danger. Sarr pounced, darting forward to roll in his second goal of the Europa League campaign.

Until then, Spurs had lived dangerously on a slippery surface, which was soon cutting up underfoot after hours of relentless rain. Ferencvaros had opened with purpose and the home crowd were generating a raucous din.

Centre-forward Varga headed one chance over, Guglielmo Vicario saved from Adama Traore and Varga had a goal ruled out for offside. ‘I’m still guessing why,’ said Ferencvaros boss Pascal Jansen afterwards. ‘We have to trust the technology, but it was not to our advantage.’

The VAR took a long hard look. The flag went up but it was very tight. Eventually, the decision was ruled correct because when the digital lines were drawn, one of Varga’s knees was ruled a fraction offside.

In midfield was the highly-rated Lucas Bergvall, 18, started in midfield for the second European game in a row

In midfield was the highly-rated Lucas Bergvall, 18, started in midfield for the second European game in a row

Ange Postecoglou's side now have six points from two games in the Europa League league phase

Ange Postecoglou’s side now have six points from two games in the Europa League league phase

The game had earlier been delayed due to poor visibility after flares were thrown by home fans

The game had earlier been delayed due to poor visibility after flares were thrown by home fans

Vicario made a fabulous save to foil Varga again before Spurs took the lead and took control until the interval. Pedro Porro almost made it two before the interval with a curling left footer against a post.

Still, without the second, the game remained in the balance. Vicario saved from Matheus Saldanha at one end and Lankshear twice went close at the other, first an effort which looped narrowly over from a Porro corner.

Then he was foiled by a last-ditch tackle. Werner wasted an excellent chance on the break, skipping around the keeper and hitting the side-netting from a tight angle.

Postecoglou sent on James Maddison, Johnson and Kulusevski to secure the game. Johnson rattled the bar before finding the net with his next effort and it helped Spurs make it two wins from two games in the Europa League.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Mohamed Salah Pays Heartfelt Tribute to Trent Alexander-Arnold Following His Liverpool Departure

Mohamed Salah was among many Liverpool stars who expressed their admiration for…

Why Liverpool Couldn’t Secure a New Contract Extension for Trent Alexander-Arnold

Trent Alexander-Arnold is reported to have rejected a new contract offer from…

Raphinha Shares Eye-Opening Comparison of Hansi Flick and Xavi

Raphinha harshly criticized the way Xavi Hernandez managed players during his tenure…

Why “Man United vs Spurs” Is the Perfect Underdog Showdown for the Europa League Final, According to RIATH AL-SAMARRAI

With all due respect to the Bible, an unforgettable quote about donkeys…

Inside Scoop: Ibrox Club Needs to Consider Offers for Midfield Star to Avoid Missing Another Big Payout

Rangers have been told they must listen to offers for Nicolas Raskin…

“Verify Your Facts: Kyle Walker Responds to Man City Fan’s Social Media Criticism”

Kyle Walker might be inactive on the football pitch, but he’s still…

Ian Ladyman Highlights a Wolves Player in His Season’s Best Team—And It’s Not Matheus Cunha

On the latest episode of the Mail’s ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ podcast,…

Mohamed Salah Admits Liverpool Got Too Comfortable Under Jurgen Klopp – Discusses How He Compares to Arne Slot After Premier League Success

Mohamed Salah spoke candidly of his former manager Jurgen Klopp as he…

Pep Guardiola and Wife Cristina Serra Allegedly Remain Distant Despite Claims of Relationship Improvement After Man City Boss Visits Barcelona for Three Days

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and his wife Cristina Serra ‘are still…

Inside Man United: Answers to Your Transfer Inquiries on Liam Delap, Bryan Mbeumo, Bruno Fernandes, and More – Plus Updates on the New Stadium and Ineos Takeover?

Mail Sport are answering your questions this week, having put out the…