Sheffield United 0-3 Tottenham Hotspur – Report

Tottenham Hotspur ended their first season under Ange Postecoglou with a decisive 3-0 victory over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on a scorching Sunday afternoon. Dejan Kulusevski’s brace and a goal from Pedro Porro highlighted a commanding performance from Spurs as they secured the spoils in the final game of the campaign.

The afternoon started on an emotional note as Sheffield United fans bid farewell to a number of long-standing players. George Baldock, Chris Basham and Ollie Norwood were honored in a pre-match presentation acknowledging their impending departures.

Wes Foderingham and Max Lowe were also involved.

Blades: Foderingham, Lowe (Holgate 70), Trusty, Hamer, Archer (Brewster 62), Brereton-Diaz (Jebbison 70), Ahmedhodzic, Robinson, Bogle, Osborn (Souza 5), ​​Arblaster (Brooks 62).

Not used: A. Davies, McBurnie, Larouci, McAtee.

Tottenham: Vicario, Dragușin, Son (Scarlett 88), Maddison (Moore 88), Romero, Kulusevski, Johnson, Porro (Royal 75), Sarr (Hojbjerg 66), Bentancur (Skipp 75), van de Ven.

Not used: Austin, Whiteman, Gil, Donley.

United started the match with promise, taking advantage of an early opportunity when Ben Brereton Diaz fired over the bar following a mistake by Spurs’ Radu Dragușin. However, the bright start was marred by an injured Brereton-Diaz, forcing him to be replaced by Souza. Moments later, Brereton-Diaz went close again, hitting the post.

Tottenham opened the scoring in the 14th minute, Dejan Kulusevski finishing expertly from a tight angle after a well-worked build-up involving Micky van de Ven. The Swedish striker tried to double his tally soon after but United goalkeeper Wes Foderingham made a crucial save.

Despite Tottenham’s advantage, United had chances to equalise. Cameron Archer shot wide, wasting a clear opportunity.

Tottenham continued to press though. Rodrigo Bentancur hit the bar and Foderingham denied both Son Heung-min and Cristian Romero in quick succession. Spurs kept up the pressure until half-time, with Pedro Porro and James Maddison testing Foderingham.

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – MAY 19: Tottenham Hotspur’s James Maddison has his shot saved by Sheffield United goalkeeper Wes Foderingham during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Tottenham Hotspur at Bramall Lane on May 19, 2024 in Sheffield , England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

In the second half, Spurs doubled their lead in the 59th minute. Pedro Porro unleashed a thunderbolt after Foderingham had made consecutive saves from Maddison and van de Ven. There was a brief VAR check for offside, but the goal stood.

Kulusevski scored Tottenham’s second and third, converting a pinpoint Maddison cross to put the game beyond doubt. The Swede’s clinical finish underlined a dominant performance from the visitors.

Late in the match, Sheffield United substitute Andre Brooks was shown a red card for an apparent push on Son Heung-min, with the South Korean rolling on the floor in what was a no-brainer incident. And after a VAR review, referee Andrew Madley overturned his own poor decision, reducing the red card to a yellow.

The Blades finished their Premier League campaign conceding 104 goals and the defense will no doubt be in for a refresh this summer, along with the rest of the squad. But before the mess began, the careers of Oliver Norwood, George Baldock and Chris Basham were rightly praised by supporters ahead of the game.