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Tottenham Hotspur forward Brennan Johnson said that lifting the Europa League erased the disappointment of an otherwise dismal season.
Tottenham Hotspur players celebrate with Brennan Johnson (AP)
Brennan Johnson said Tottenham Hotspur had shrugged off their tag of serial losers by beating Manchester United 1-0 to win the Europa League on Wednesday.
Johnson bundled in a scrappy goal in the 42nd minute en route to Spurs’ first silverware since they won the 2008 League Cup and their first European title since 1984.
“I’m so happy right now,” said a smiling Johnson.
“This season hasn’t been good at all but I swear not one of us players right now care about that. This is what it’s all about, this club hasn’t won a trophy for 17 years.
“Honestly, this is what it means. It means so much. All the fans get battered, we get battered, for not winning a trophy, for not winning anything. But we had to get the first one in a while today. I’m so happy,” he told TNT Sports.
The Europa League has been the one positive for both Spurs and United, with United languishing 16th in the Premier League and Tottenham 17th.
“Ever since I came here, it’s been ‘Tottenham are a good team but can never get it done’. We got it done,” Johnson said.
Johnson’s goal was not the prettiest, as Pape Sarr’s cross appeared to glance off both him and United defender Luke Shaw past goalkeeper Andre Onana’s desperate swipe.
“I knew I touched it, and then I kind of looked up because I didn’t catch it clean and then the ball was trickling in the goal. I can’t describe the feeling,” the 23-year-old said.
Doubts still surround the future of Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou.
But the Australian has delivered on his promise early on this season to maintain his record of winning silverware in his second season at various clubs.
“He’s done his job, he said he wins in his second year and he has,” added Johnson.
“I’ll be looking forward to his interview, but I can’t thank the manager enough for how much trust he’s had in us because some of the performances this season, as I say, haven’t been good enough.
“But especially in the Europa League, he had a really good way of getting everyone up for it and today it shows.”
(With inputs from Agencies)
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