Tottenham: Tottenham Hotspur signed off 118 years at their soon-to-be-demolished White Hart Lane Stadium with a 2-1 win over Manchester United Sunday that ensured they will finish as Premier League runners-up.
A carnival atmosphere preceded kickoff and the stadium erupted after six minutes when Victor Wanyama headed them in front against a weakened United side.
Local hero Harry Kane scored his 22nd league goal of the season to make it 2-0 shortly after the interval but United skipper Wayne Rooney halved the deficit with just under 20 minutes remaining.
As rain began to fall on Tottenham’s parade their were some nervy moments but they hung on to claim a club record equalling 14th successive home win and remain unbeaten at their north London fortress all season.
United’s second successive defeat in London, after last weekend’s 2-0 loss to Arsenal ended a 25-match unbeaten league run.
It was Tottenham’s day though and as the final whistle sounded to confirm their highest top flight finish for 54 years, thousands of fans invaded the pitch to celebrate, delaying a post-match ceremony featuring numerous club legends.
The stadium, home since 1899 and already being swallowed up by the new 61,00-seater ground rising around it, will be demolished with the club playing at Wembley next season before returning in the 2018-19 campaign.
While it was a day for nostalgia, it was also a day to celebrate the vibrant side assembled by Mauricio Pochettino – even if the title proved just beyond them.
With two games remaining they could still end up with 86 points, five more than Leicester City managed when winning the Premier League last season.
“What a way to finish,” Kane said. “We wanted a win so badly in our last game here. I said before I’d love to score the winning goal and for it to happen is brilliant.”
Move to new stadium: Coach expects Tottenham to join European giants
Tottenham Hotspur’s move to a new stadium can push them to join Europe’s biggest clubs, manager Mauricio Pochettino said Sunday as his side bade farewell to White Hart Lane with a 2-1 victory over Manchester United.
Victory with goals by Victor Wanyama and Harry Kane meant Tottenham are assured of finishing as runners-up to Chelsea in the Premier League, their best top flight finish for 54 years.
Worries remain about the effect playing at Wembley next season will have on a side who have been unbeatable at home this season, but Pochettino believes the fact that they will be playing in a new 61,000-seater stadium adjacent to their current ground in 2018-19 will take the club to the next level.
“We were talking a lot and we believe that when the new stadium opens the doors, it will help the club to reach the last level,” Pochettino, whose side racked up a 14th consecutive home league win, told reporters.
“That is our expectation. Because with the training ground, the new facilities and the new stadium will put the team and the club in the last level in Europe,” he added.
Tottenham have been on an upward trajectory since Pochettino took charge, finishing fifth, third and now second. The only disappointment this season was not being able to overhaul Chelsea and struggling in the Champions League where they exited in the group stage.
“It is true we are disappointed but second position is fantastic and being unbeaten at White Hart Lane in the last season here.”
Reuters
