(Thanks to Declan Mulcahy for some assistance regarding this report)

PREMIER LEAGUE
SATURDAY 11TH MAY, 2024
(3.PM)
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2(1) BURNLEY 1(1)

Spurs scorers:-
Pedro Porro, 32
Van de Ven, 82

Burnley scorer:-
Bruun Larsen, 25

Attendance:- 61,148

Referee:- Jarred Gillett
Assistants:- Darren Cann, Richard West
Fourth official:- Gavin Ward
VAR:- Peter Bankes
Assistant VAR:- Steve Meredith

Teams:- Spurs (4-2-3-1):- Vicario; Pedro Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Skipp (sub Dragusin, 75); Bissouma (sub Bentancur, 75), Sarr (sub Hojbjerg, 88); Johnson, Maddison (sub Lo Celso, 88), Kulusevski (sub Scarlett, 75); Son (Capt.)

Subs not used:- Austin; Emerson Royal; Gil, Moore

Booked:- Maddison (Handball), Skipp (foul on Assignon), Sarr (foul on Odobert)

Burnley (4-4-2):- Muric; Assignon, O'Shea, Esteve, Taylor; Bruun Larsen (sub Tresor, 81), Cullen (Capt.) (sub Amdouni, 88), Berge, Vitinho (sub Manuel, 72); Odobert, Foster (sub Fofana, 87)
(Armband to Berge)

Subs not used:- Trafford; Ekdal; Gudmundsson, Brownhill; Rodriguez

Booked:- Cullen (foul on Maddison), Taylor (foul on Kulusevski), Bruun Larsen (foul on Maddison), Assignon (Dissent)
Vincent Kompany was also booked.

Player of the season Van de Ven seals the win!

Micky van de Ven was announced pre-match as the winner of all three Spurs player of the season awards (Senior & Junior members' vote plus young player award) and for the third time this season, Micky scored our winning goal. He had grabbed our winners against Luton and Nottingham Forest.

Burnley gave their all, and took a 25th minute lead, which made us work hard for the win which mathematically keeps us in the race for a Champions League place, but realistically keeps us on target for the Europa League. Once again, we failed to show the necessary urgency to win the game until the latter stages.

Ange Postecoglou avoided becoming the first Spurs coach since Ossie Ardiles in 1994 to lose five consecutive games.

Burnley's relegation was confirmed, and, like Norwich, they have been relegated four times from the Premier League.

The game was played in warm sunshine and was preceded by a minute's applause for Double hero Terry Medwin, who recently passed away.

Spurs kicked off and played towards the North Stand. In the absence of Richarlison (which we were not told about yesterday), Son was our line-leader, although he is best playing on the wing. Kulusevski played on the left (where he struggled) with Johnson on the right. Ollie Skipp filled in at left back where he had played last week at Anfield as substitute.

We won an early free kick on the left after a foul on Kulusevski, but nothing came of that. Romero was called upon at the other end to head away after O'Shea's attempt from a Burnley free kick. Maddison probably should have scored when fed by Son but dithered a little and this allowed Taylor to block the shot.

Burnley threatened to scorer when Odobert crossed from the right and Vicario had to save at the back post from a Vitinho header. Romero headed off the line before Van de Ven cleared. This was not going to be a walk-over. After all, Burnley's recent form has been better than ours, although this must apply to most teams in the league.

Muric made a very good save to his left after Johnson latched onto a Kulusevski cross. An appeal by Maddison for a penalty when he went down in the box was ignored by referee Jarred Gillett. Son had a shot easily held and our captain pulled a shot well wide after Pedro Porro's pass.

Burnley's goal did not come as a surprise. Former Sheffield United man Sander Berge showed skill on the left evading three tackles before beating the Spurs defence with a neat diagonal pass which left Bruun Larsen in space and with the ability to beat Vicario with his well-placed shot.

Burnley fans' hopes were lifted but it wasn't long before they were dented. Pedro Porro won a challenge as Burnley tried to clear their lines but missed the target with his shot. Pedro scored an excellent goal soon after when he exchanged short passes with Johnson on the right about 35 yards out. The right back made a bee-line for the Burnley goal and scored with a cracking shot low to the left of the beaten keeper. It was his second Premier League goal of the season. Pedro had also scored our FA Cup winner against Burnley in January.

Johnson might have given us the lead when he collected Muric's errant ball, but his effort was on the wrong side of the post.

Towards the end of the half, a Son shot was deflected out for a corner, but Maddison's kick was too deep for Romero at the back post. Vicario was called into action to hold a shot by Bruun Larsen.

Mousa Dembele was Paul Coyte's half-time guest, and he received a very warm welcome from the fans who of course regaled him with his chant. Spurs were out first for the re-start and there were no changes, except to say that Kulusevski had switched to the right. He was soon fouled by Taylor and Burnley scrambled away the free kick by Pedro Porro after efforts by Sarr and Romero.

Spurs were enjoying some pressure but without reward. They then had to defend after Kulusevski lost out to Taylor. Odobert moved in from the left and Romero blocked his shot, conceding a corner. After the corner Esteve's header landed on top of the net.

Maddison had a great chance after 59 minutes. The ball had been fed to him by Johnson. Muric might have been allowed a little too much time to prepare himself as he made the save.

Van de Ven had a header blocked after a Maddison corner. Spurs were enjoying more pressure with not enough penetration.

There had been a "Save our Seniors" banner on display pre-kick off and this was shown again after 65 minutes with some fans turning their backs on the action. This is a protest against the club's recently announced policy regarding the eventual elimination of concessions for senior fans.

Kulusevski's trademark shot across goal was saved by Muric. Pedro Porro fired over after a ball by Son from his left.

Postecoglou made three substitutions with Dragusin coming on for Skipp and playing on the left of defence with Van de Ven moving to left back. Bentancur came on for Bissouma and Dane Scarlett replaced Kulusevski. This led to Johnson returning to the right with Son on the left.

Now the Spurs urgency levels were boosted with Van de Ven getting forward in his left back position. Son hit a cross/shot across goal from the left and Brennan Johnson could not quite make contact at the back post. Sarr hit a powerful shot after Romero advanced and passed, but Muric made another good save.

The winning goal soon followed. Maddison delivered an excellent short ball to Van de Ven who turned and placed his shot inside Muric's right post. Cue scenes and massive "Micky van de Ven" chants!

Muric made another good save, this time from a Romero header following a corner.

There were six scheduled minutes of added time. Burnley were screaming for a penalty when Assignon went down in the box and rolled about three times for good measure. The referee was not interested and Assignon had feigned agony but did not need treatment. He was booked for either poor acting or dissent! Vincent Kompany also got upset on the touchline and was shown a yellow card.

There was a post-match lap of appreciation, but of course we have one last home game on Tuesday against Manchester City. Postecoglou insists we will be going all out for a win, but not many Spurs will be wanting us to win and assist Arsenal in their quest for another Premier League title. Perhaps Manchester United can beat them today and allow us to relax on Tuesday. Some hope! I think we will need the three points at Bramall Lane next Sunday to secure our fifth place and qualification for The Europa League.

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