Spurs beat United to win Europa League, end 17-year wait for silverware

Brennan Johnson's scrappy first-half strike handed Tottenham Hotspur a 1–0 victory over Manchester United in a scrappy Europa League final on 21 may, ending Spurs' 17-year wait for silverware and securing an unlikely return to the Champions League.

In a season where both clubs struggled miserably in the Premier League – Tottenham finishing 17th and United just one place above them – it was the north London side who found brief redemption in Bilbao, claiming their first European trophy since 1984.

The decisive goal came three minutes before half-time, in keeping with a cagey and untidy contest. Pape Sarr floated a ball into the box which should have been dealt with comfortably. But as goalkeeper Andre Onana remained rooted to his line, Johnson and Luke Shaw collided at the near post, with the ball trickling into the net as Onana's late reaction proved futile.

Manchester United's best chance came midway through the second half when Rasmus Hojlund rose unmarked in the box, only for Micky van de Ven to produce a dramatic clearance off the line. Deep in stoppage time, United thought they might salvage extra time, but Shaw's header was clawed away brilliantly by Spurs keeper Guglielmo Vicario.

"This season hasn't been good at all, but I swear not one of us players care about that right now," said Johnson. "This is what it's all about. This club hasn't won a trophy for 17 years. All the fans get battered, we get battered, but we had to get this one. I'm so happy."

The win marks Tottenham's first trophy since the 2008 League Cup, and also ends a four-decade drought in European competition. Ange Postecoglou, under growing pressure after a string of league defeats, was visibly emotional as the final whistle sounded. The Greek-Australian, in his first season at the club, now finds himself back in the Champions League, despite a domestic campaign that yielded 21 losses.

For Manchester United, the result only compounds an already grim season. Ruben Amorim, appointed midway through the campaign, now faces the task of rebuilding a fractured side without the lure of European football. United's failure to secure even a Conference League spot leaves them with little to show from a season filled with injury woes and tactical uncertainty.

The victory also completes a unique record for Tottenham: four wins in four meetings against Manchester United this season – a clean sweep they had never before managed against the Red Devils. It also extends Spurs' unbeaten run over United to seven matches.

As the players celebrated under the night sky in Bilbao, surrounded by a sea of white and navy, the sense of catharsis was unmistakable. After 41 years without a European trophy, Tottenham finally ended their long wait. For their fans, so often mocked for their lack of success, this was a night to savour.