Ange Postecoglou savours displays of Brennan Johnson and Dominic Solanke after Spurs' Europa League win over Qarabag
Updated 27/09/2024 at 08:51 GMT+1
Tottenham made a winning start to their UEFA Europa League campaign with a 3-0 victory over Qarabag. Spurs overcame an early red card to Radu Dragusin to get the three points, and manager Ange Postecoglou was impressed with forwards Brennan Johnson and Dominic Solanke. Postecoglou was not as impressed with Spurs' start, saying they were "really sloppy" in the early stages.
Postecoglou 'not happy' with 'really sloppy' Spurs start, praises 'good reaction'
Video credit: TNT Sports
Ange Postecoglou praised the performances of forwards Brennan Johnson and Dominic Solanke after both scored in Tottenham’s 3-0 UEFA Europa League win over Qarabag.
Spurs overcame an early red card to Radu Dragusin to get their European campaign off to a winning start.
Johnson started the scoring for Spurs with his third goal in three games.
The Wales international recently deactivated his Instagram account following criticism from some supporters.
“Brennan was great,” Postecoglou told TNT Sports.
“Even with 10 men we pressed, which we wanted to do; we didn’t want to be passive. It’s an ideal spot for Brennan, that’s where we want him.
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“He has got some confidence at the moment which is great and we are going to need him.”
Solanke rounded off the scoring with his first European goal for Spurs, reacting quickest to finish from a rebound.
Postecoglou said: “Dom has been great for us. Not just his goals but his general link-up play, he is a strong lad and keeps the ball really well for us.
“He is a typical striker always on the move. He’s still working his way to full fitness but strong performance.”
Despite the final result, Postecoglou was not overly impressed with the way Spurs started the game.
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'It's him again!' - Johnson 'on fire' as he slots home opener for 10-man Spurs
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Kick-off was delayed by 35 minutes until 8:35pm due to ‘severe travel disruption’ and Spurs didn’t kick into gear in the early stages.
“I wasn’t happy because I felt we started really sloppy and we spoke about making sure we start at high tempo and high intensity. I don’t know if the delay got to us but even leading up to it we were very passive in our passing.
“When that happens somebody switches off and unfortunately Radu had to pay the price of that. The reaction after that was good but not happy with the start.”
Spurs now face three away games in the next 10 days.
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Solanke grabs Spurs' third after 'gift' from keeper
Video credit: TNT Sports
They travel to Manchester United and Brighton in the Premier League either side of a Europa League trip to Ferencvaros.
“It’s important that we got a win tonight,” said Postecoglou.
“When you play in Europe you really have to win your games at home because you know every game away is a challenging one.
"Good to get the win and looking forward to a big challenge of going to Old Trafford on Sunday.”
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