Sheffield United 0-3 Spurs | Ange’s verdict: “Important we finished on a positive performance” | OneFootball

Ange Postecoglou was pleased with the players’ focus as we secured fifth in the Premier League and qualification for the UEFA Europa League next season with a convincing 3-0 win at Sheffield United on Sunday.

We rode out the home side’s early pressure to dominate at Bramall Lane, eventually racking up 18 efforts at goal to United’s six and enjoying 73% possession. Nine of those efforts were on target and it’s fair to say without the efforts of Wes Foderingham in goal we would have been out of sight by half-time.

Dejan Kulusevski returned to the starting XI and relished his free role, scoring twice, the first an arrow across Foderingham that went home off the post just to settle us down on 14 minutes. Foderingham then denied Deki, Heung-Min Son, Pedro Porro and James Maddison as we continually found pockets of space around the box, Maddison particularly influential.

Foderingham saved again from Deki in the build-up to the second goal at the start of the second half, smashed home by Pedro on 59 minutes, and it was all over five minutes later as Deki angled home Maddison’s cross.

So, that was that, fifth place, 66 points and we step back into the European arena next season.

Speaking afterwards on our Review Show, Ange told us: “I thought it was good. It was important we finished the season off with a positive performance and a positive result and we did both.

“It was a good way to sign off. I was pleased with our general focus. It isn’t easy, last game of the year, Sheffield United nothing to play for… potentially you could get dragged away from your own ambitions but, for the most part, I thought we were really focused and scored some good goals, probably should have had more, but their goalkeeper was outstanding. We also kept a clean sheet, so a few things there that were positive for us.”

Asked about Deki’s role and contribution, Ange added: “Deki was good today. He’s had a bit of a frustrating year, worked really hard without a lot of reward in front of goal. I just felt playing him in that role today gave him some freedom to move around and cause them some problems, which I thought he did. I’m pleased that he got the goals and he worked hard for the team, which is important.”