Brennan Johnson continued his sensational form as his late strike secured Tottenham Hotspur a hard-fought 2-1 win against Hungarian side Ferencvaros in the Europa League. Johnson’s goal, his fifth in five games, came in the dying minutes and helped Spurs clinch their second win in the group stage. However, the game was anything but straightforward, with the hosts putting up a resilient fight that tested Ange Postecoglou’s youthful lineup.
Despite missing several key players and opting for a much-rotated side, Tottenham managed to grind out the victory, largely thanks to Johnson’s clinical display off the bench. The win solidifies Spurs’ position in their group as they continue their European campaign with growing confidence.
A Hard-Fought Contest from the Start
Ange Postecoglou’s decision to field a rotated squad, featuring first starts for promising youngsters Mikey Moore and Will Lankshear, was a bold move. With a comfortable 3-0 win against Manchester United just days before, Postecoglou opted to rest many of his regular starters, handing opportunities to emerging talents. However, this strategy resulted in a scrappy contest, with Ferencvaros pressing relentlessly and keeping the visitors on their toes.
The Hungarian side nearly took the lead early in the match when Barnabas Varga’s powerful header found the back of the net, only to be ruled out for offside. Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario was then called into action, producing a spectacular reflex save to deny another chance from Ferencvaros, as the hosts dominated the early proceedings.
However, Tottenham managed to capitalize on a moment of fortune midway through the first half. Pape Sarr broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute after a fortunate deflection saw the ball fall kindly to him inside the box. The midfielder wasted no time, firing home from close range to give Spurs the lead against the run of play.
Ferencvaros Keep the Pressure On
Despite falling behind, Ferencvaros continued to put pressure on Tottenham’s defense. They showed impressive resilience, and their attacking threat remained constant throughout the first half. Varga, in particular, was a thorn in Spurs’ side, continuously finding dangerous positions in and around the box.
Pedro Porro almost doubled Tottenham’s advantage just before halftime when his curling effort struck the foot of the post. Moments later, Lankshear, the 19-year-old striker making his first start for the club, volleyed inches over the bar following a well-worked corner routine. Despite creating chances, Spurs struggled to put the game to bed, with Ferencvaros hanging on and threatening to find a way back into the game.
Johnson’s Impact Off the Bench
As the second half wore on, Spurs’ inability to convert their chances came back to haunt them. Timo Werner, another of Spurs’ recent signings, squandered a golden opportunity to extend the lead, hitting the side-netting after rounding the Ferencvaros goalkeeper.
Sensing the need for more quality in the final third, Postecoglou turned to Brennan Johnson in the 65th minute. The Welsh forward, who has been in red-hot form, immediately brought energy and sharpness to Spurs’ attack. Within minutes of coming on, Johnson almost scored a wonder goal, unleashing a powerful first-time shot that smashed against the crossbar.
However, Johnson was not to be denied. With just four minutes remaining, he found the breakthrough Tottenham desperately needed. After receiving a low cross, Johnson took one touch to compose himself before slotting the ball into the bottom corner, off the inside of the post, to make it 2-0. His calmness and precision under pressure once again showcased why he has been one of Tottenham’s standout players this season.
Ferencvaros’ Late Rally
Though Tottenham looked to have sealed the victory, Ferencvaros refused to go down without a fight. The hosts launched a late rally, and their efforts were rewarded in the 90th minute when Barnabas Varga finally got his goal. After a low cross from the right-hand side, Varga timed his run perfectly and slotted past Vicario, giving the home crowd something to cheer about in the dying moments.
Despite the late scare, Tottenham held firm to see out the game and claim all three points. It wasn’t the most convincing performance, but it was another important victory as Spurs continue their European journey under Ange Postecoglou.
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