Player ratings when Spurs won Europa League place

Tottenham Hotspur moved into fifth place in the Premier League with an impressive win over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Sunday afternoon.

A brace from Dejan Kulusevski and a brace from Pedro Porro led Spurs to victory and qualification for the Europa League in their final game of Ange Postecoglou’s first campaign as manager.

The defeat provided more heartache for Blades fans who saw their side slump to their 28th league defeat of the season.

How the game played out

The hosts’ first real opportunity to test Guglielmo Vicario came in the sixth minute, with Gustavo Hamer sitting over a free-kick in a favorable position. Fortunately for the traveling support, the midfielder’s shot lacked the venom to beat the Italian stopper.

Ben Brereton Diaz rattled the woodwork just before the ten minute mark when Hamer was found in the Spurs box. However, even if the ball had hit the back of the net, it would have been ruled offside.

Despite United having a measure of control in the opening stages, the visitors struck first when Kulusevski pulled Wes Foderingham down hard.

The winger could have had a second in the 20th minute but Foderingham was equal to his effort, pushing the shot wide before his defenders could clear possession.

Spurs continued their attack when Rodrigo Bentancur hit the bar from outside the box and Son Heung-min volleyed home, with Foderingham in full to save. The Blades keeper then denied Porro from distance.

At the other end, Cameron Archer found himself one-on-one with Vicario but couldn’t capitalize on the opportunity, dragging the ball desperately wide.

As the first half drew to a close, Foderingham was again on hand to stop Spurs extending their lead, saving James Maddison’s shot from close range.

Vicario was immediately called into action at the start of the second half, extending to deny Archer’s shot. However, any potential goal would have been ruled out for offside.

It was 2-0 on the hour after a series of chances when Porro smashed the ball past Foderingham and moments later Tottenham were further ahead when Kulusevski slotted in less fiercely, assisted by Maddison.

The next incident of note was sent off by substitute Andre Brooks for bringing down Son in the box. However, after a look at the pitch monitor, referee Andy Madley overturned the red card.

It should have been 4-0 in the 81st minute when Brennan Johnson flicked the ball over, but Spurs still did enough to secure fifth place, ensuring they were not caught by London rivals Chelsea, who past Bournemouth 2-1.

GK: Wes Foderingham – 7/10 – He was constantly on his toes in the first half, saving a large number of Spurs’ attempts.

CB: Anel Ahmedhodzic – 5/10 – He didn’t look too comfortable facing the Son. He sent the ball out of play a few too many times when he could have made a simple pass.

CB: Auston Trusty – 6/10 – He was arguably the Blades’ best centre-back, delivering well in both attack and defence. Of course, Drăgușin irritated him in the dying embers of the first half.

CB: Jack Robinson – 5/10 – He looked pretty absent until the stoppage time in the second half when he hit Van de Ven for a caution.

RWB: Jayden Bogle – 6/10 – He dragged his side up the pitch well but couldn’t get the final pass going, especially under pressure from the Spurs backline.

CM: Gustavo Hamer – 6/10 – Despite a promising start, his performance declined as the game progressed.

CM: Oliver Arblaster – 6/10 – He threw his body on the line before Spurs grabbed their second. Commendable performance, but got two. It came out on the hour mark.

CM: Ben Osborn – N/A – He was out within five minutes of colliding with Van de Ven.

LWB: Max Lowe – 5/10 – I didn’t like the battle with Kulusevski. He should have been taken out sooner than he was.

ST: Cameron Archer – 5/10 – He missed a great chance for his side in the first half that would have restored parity.

ST: Ben Brereton Diaz – 5/10 – Hit the bar at 0-0 from offside and didn’t do much after that.

Substitutes

SUB: Rhian Brewster (62′ for Archer) – 5/10

SUB: Vinicius Souza (5′ for Osborn) – 5/10

SUB: Mason Holgate (69′ for Lowe) – 6/10

SUB: Andre Brooks (62′ for Arblaster) – 5/10

SUB: Daniel Jebbison (70′ for Brereton Diaz) – 5/10

Subs not used: Adam Davies (GK), Oliver McBurnie, Yasser Larouci, James McAtee.

Administrator

Chris Wilder – 5/10 – His team undoubtedly let him down, missing the top especially at 0-0. It remains to be seen whether the 56-year-old will remain on the hot seat as the Blades compete in the Championship next season.

GK: Guglielmo Vicario – 7/10 – A mostly comfortable afternoon for the Italian, who benefited from solid protection from Romero and Dragusin.

RB: Pedro Porro – 7/10 – As robust as ever. Bombed well up and down his flank, sending in a handful of troublesome crosses and tapped in Tottenham’s second.

CB: Cristian Romero – 7/10 – Smart in the game, smart with his football. Romero finished the season impressively.

CB: Radu Dragusin – 6/10 – Able to get into the box many times with the quick Van de Ven and aggressive coverage Romero.

LB: Micky van de Ven – 7/10 – He used his pace effectively. Had the season gone injury-free, Spurs would certainly have finished higher in the Premier League.

CM: Pope Matar Sarr – 6/10 – Consistently made passes forward to find Kulusevski and Son, although a few were overcooked.

CM: Rodrigo Bentancur – 6/10 – Reliable in the center of the park. Kept his position well and distributed the ball to his wide teammates with confidence.

RW: Dejan Kulusevski – 9/10 – We got on the score sheet nice and early. He scored again in the second half. A sublime performance from the Swedish international.

AM: James Maddison – 6/10 – He has had better games this season. He wasn’t exactly used to the corner and didn’t have the opportunity to test his skills with a free kick. However, he assisted Kulusevski’s second.

LW: Brennan Johnson – 6/10 – He didn’t get as much of the ball as he would have liked. He still proved a hand with movement and threatening runs and picked up an assist.

ST: Son Heung-Min – 7/10 – He had his say in Spurs’ opener. He tormented Blades with his quick pace and feet. Finishes the season as Tottenham’s top scorer with 17 and their joint assist – equal with Johnson – with ten.

Substitutes

SUB: Oliver Skipp (76′ for Skipp) – 6/10

SUB: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (66′ for Sarr) – 6/10

SUB: Emerson Royal (76′ for Porro) – 6/10

SUB: Dane Scarlett (88′ for Son) – 5/10

SUB: Mikey Moore (88′ for Maddison) – 5/10

Subs not used: Brandon Austin (GK), Alfie Whiteman (GK), Bryan Gil, Jamie Donley.

Administrator

Ange Postecoglou – 8/10 – His decision to drop Kulusevski into the starting line-up paid off and helped Spurs secure Europa League football next season. He should certainly have supporters on his side for this achievement.

Man of the match: Dejan Kulusevski (Tottenham)