Tottenham's Brennan Johnson, centre, celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the Europa League final. AP
Tottenham's Brennan Johnson, centre, celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the Europa League final. AP
Tottenham's Brennan Johnson, centre, celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the Europa League final. AP
Tottenham's Brennan Johnson, centre, celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the Europa League final. AP

Tottenham 2024/25 season review and ratings: Johnson and Romero 8, Werner 3


Steve Luckings
  • English
  • Arabic

Season synopsis

Premier League final position: 17th

FA Cup: Fourth round

League Cup: Semi-finals

Europa League: Winners, beat Manchester United 1-0 in the final

It's impossible to come to a consensus on Tottenham's season. Domestically, it was a train wreck - 17th in the league, 22 games lost – the most in a 38-game Premier League season by a side who were not relegated. They were also thrashed over two legs by Liverpool in the League Cup semi-finals. A total shambles.

In Europe, however, it was a completely different story. Spurs saved their best for the continent, pulling off superb wins away to Eintracht Frankfurt and Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League quarter and semi-finals before beating Manchester United in a scrappy final.

Brennan Johnson's goal in Bilbao secured Spurs a first trophy in 17 years. Winning the Europa League carried the added bonus of entry into next season's Uefa Champions League. It was their fourth victory over United this season, meaning 16% of Tottenham's wins in 2024/25 came against the club from Old Trafford.

So what would Spurs fans prefer? Fourth or fifth in the league, a decent cup run, and qualify for Europe, or finish one place above relegation and win a major trophy, finally getting that monkey off their back?

No doubt there are questions that need answering, deficiencies in the squad that need upgrading, tactics that need addressing. Ange Postecoglou's future is far from clear, and winning a trophy shouldn't absolve him of scrutiny, but few would blame the Australian if he walked, having made good on his promise to win a trophy in his second year.

Best performance of the season

Manchester City 0 Tottenham 4: In a league campaign drowning in disappointment, the undoubted highlight was an emphatic road victory that brought to an end City's 52-match unbeaten record at the Etihad Stadium.

James Maddison struck twice in seven first-half minutes before Pedro Porro rubbed salt in the wounds of his former club and Johnson completed the rout.

The win moved Spurs into the top six. That was to be their zenith as they tumbled down the table.

Worst performance of the season

Everton 3 Tottenham 2: To be brutally honest, there are too many to choose from in this category. The capitulation from 2-0 up against Brighton, the error-strewn 4-2 defeat to Wolves, but for sheer lack of fortitude, it has to be the defeat at Goodison.

Spurs were as hapless as they were hopeless, wasting opportunities and failing to do the fundamentals like track runners or put bodies on the line. Dominic Calvert-Lewin opened the scoring on 13 minutes before Iliman Ndiaye sliced through the defence to double Everton's lead. An Archie Gray own goal seven minutes into first-half injury time compounded an awful first half.

Dejan Kulusevski pulled a goal back before former Toffee Richarlison gave the scoreline an air of respectability when there really was none.

Thriller of the season

Coventry City 1 Tottenham 2: It says something about Spurs' season that their most thrilling win came against second-tier opposition in the third round of the League Cup.

Championship club Coventry were well worth their lead through Brandon Thomas-Asante, having peppered Fraser Forster in the Tottenham goal throughout.

Spurs were living on the edge - a collision between Forster and defender Radu Dragusin that almost led to a second Coventry goal typifying their evening - before substitutes Djed Spence and Johnson scored on 88 and 92 minutes to spare their blushes.

Player of the season

Brennan Johnson: Spurs were blighted by injuries to key players - not least Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven - which may go some way to explaining an appalling defensive record. Dominic Solanke proved a capable signing after joining for a club record £55 million from Bournemouth; Spence showed huge improvement, while Gray seemed to fill in at every position bar goalkeeper. Lucas Bergvall, 19, looks to have a bright future ahead of him, too.

Porro was the one constant (49 games across competitions) and deserves special mention, but the award for Spurs' player of the season must go to Johnson. The winger suffered dog's abuse off fans early in the campaign. It became so bad that he even took himself off social media. Whether by fault or design, it made all the difference, and he ended the campaign as top scorer with 18 goals.

None were more important than the feather touch applied to win the Europa League final. Some call it scrappy; Spurs fans think it's the most beautiful sight they've seen.

Goal of the season

Yves Bissouma's banger against Everton was great individual skill, but for a team goal, it's hard to look past Wilson Odobert's second goal in a 3-1 victory against AZ.

Spurs were cruising at 2-0 up before the Dutch club pulled a goal back. Spurs have often been criticised for trying to play out from the back this season (with good reason) but when it works, it's a thing of beauty.

All of the back five, including goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, touched the ball before Maddison showed ballerina skills to deceive his marker and advance up the pitch. The ball was eventually worked to the marauding Spence on the left, who crossed to Solanke, who's deft back-heel saw the ball land perfectly for Odobert to prod home. Pure 'Angeball'.

Ratings

Marks out of 10.

Manager

Ange Postecoglou - 7

May have had the last laugh by delivering - as promised - a trophy in his second season, and no doubt a spate of injuries seriously depleted his options, but he cannot be beyond reproach when judging Spurs' woeful domestic campaign.

Goalkeepers

Guglielmo Vicario - 6

Capable of the sublime and the stupid all in the same 90 minutes – never more evident than in his display in the Europa League final. If he was only half as good with his passing as he thinks he is, he would be only twice as good as he actually is.

Fraser Forster - 4

Called upon when Vicario was one of many players to be sidelined and failed to take his chance. On the receiving end of some humbling losses.

Antonin Kinsky - 5

Joined Spurs in January to help with a mounting injury crisis and a crisis of confidence in Spurs' other goalkeepers. Played six games with mixed performances.

Brandon Austin - 4

Was named man of the match in his lone league appearance, a 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United.

Defenders

Kevin Danso - 6

Was largely disappointing after signing on loan from Lens in February, but a towering defensive header in the dying seconds of the Europa League final, with Harry Maguire ready to pounce, made up for all of it.

Sergio Reguilon - 4

Spurs' forgotten man. Made five appearances, and none of them memorable.

Radu Dragusin - 4

Showed signs of promise after joining from Genoa last season but the Romanian went backwards this term.

Destiny Udogie - 7

Sidelined by injury for big chunks of the season, but the Italian defender is one of Spurs' most potent attacking threats when fit.

Archie Gray - 7

At various times, Gray has been deployed at right-back, left-back, centre-back, right and centre midfield. In all, made 45 appearances. A boy asked to do a man's job and he did it as well as any teenager could be expected.

Cristian Romero - 7.5

The Argentine is as good as any defender in world football on his day but concerns over his temperament and dallying on the ball persist. His horror show in the defeat to Wolves capped off a miserable week for him at club and international level and there were other examples of him losing his head when a calm one was needed. Was a colossus in the Europa League final, though.

Pedro Porro - 8

The Spaniard is scorer of the spectacular, as is evident in his strike away in Bodo that sent Spurs through to the Europa League final. As good a passer as anyone in the squad. Offers incision down the right and about as much stability at the back as you will get from a Spurs defender.

Djed Spence - 7

The club's most improved player. More often than not deployed at full-back but some observers see his future as part of a defensive back three alongside Romero and Micky van de Ven. Lightning quick and comfortable on the ball.

Ben Davies - 6

Was asked to fill the considerable shoes of Van de Ven during the Dutchman's prolonged absences.

Micky van de Ven - 7.5

A goal-line clearance in the Europa League final was the perfect end to an injury-hit campaign. Keep him, and Romero, fit and Spurs will surely improve next term.

Midfielders

Yves Bissouma - 6

Still a far cry from the box-to-box powerhouse he was at Brighton. Had an excellent Europa League final, though.

Pape Matar Sarr - 6

Suffered a dramatic loss of form after a promising start to the campaign. By far Spurs' best player in their Europa League triumph in a superb rearguard display against Manchester United.

James Maddison - 7

A decent goal return with 12 across competitions. An infuriating player who can carve open teams at his best and be a passenger at his worst.

Lucas Bergvall - 7

Probably played more games than he would have expected in his debut season, owing to Spurs' horrendous casualty list. Showed enough promise to expect big things in the future.

Rodrigo Bentancur - 7

Another who saved his best for European nights. The Uruguayan is a handful on the deck and in the air but needs to take more games by the scruff of the neck.

Dejan Kulusevski - 7

Spurs' most creative player who is great at getting his team up the pitch. Cruelly robbed of a place in the Europa League final by injury.

Wilson Odobert - 6

Felt as though the Frenchman was underused in a season crying out for guile and creative flair.

Brennan Johnson - 8

Finished the season with Spurs fans singing him "Happy Birthday" after his Europa League final heroics. A far cry from the vitriol that came his way at the start of the season. Has a knack for arriving at the back post to score.

Timo Werner - 3

The German winger disappointed almost every chance he got.

Forwards

Dominic Solanke - 7.5

Answered critics who wondered if he was worth the money Spurs paid for him last summer. Excellent hold-up play, surprising pace and a threat in both boxes. Will want to improve on his 16 goals next term.

Son Heung-min - 7

Anyone who wasn't crying at the footage of Son embracing his elderly father after lifting the Europa League trophy has no soul. A quiet season by his high standards, but none deserved a title more than the South Korean.

Mathys Tel - 6

The French forward joined on loan from Bayern Munich in January and was asked to play mostly on the wing. A lively operator but maybe not done quite enough to convince to make the move permanent.

Richarlison - 7

Cops plenty of flack but in fairness to the Brazilian few put themselves about the pitch as much as him. Another who excelled in the Europa League title triumph.

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
UK%20-%20UAE%20Trade
%3Cp%3ETotal%20trade%20in%20goods%20and%20services%20(exports%20plus%20imports)%20between%20the%20UK%20and%20the%20UAE%20in%202022%20was%20%C2%A321.6%20billion%20(Dh98%20billion).%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThis%20is%20an%20increase%20of%2063.0%20per%20cent%20or%20%C2%A38.3%20billion%20in%20current%20prices%20from%20the%20four%20quarters%20to%20the%20end%20of%202021.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThe%20UAE%20was%20the%20UK%E2%80%99s%2019th%20largest%20trading%20partner%20in%20the%20four%20quarters%20to%20the%20end%20of%20Q4%202022%20accounting%20for%201.3%20per%20cent%20of%20total%20UK%20trade.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989

Director: Goran Hugo Olsson

Rating: 5/5

How to turn your property into a holiday home
  1. Ensure decoration and styling – and portal photography – quality is high to achieve maximum rates.
  2. Research equivalent Airbnb homes in your location to ensure competitiveness.
  3. Post on all relevant platforms to reach the widest audience; whether you let personally or via an agency know your potential guest profile – aiming for the wrong demographic may leave your property empty.
  4. Factor in costs when working out if holiday letting is beneficial. The annual DCTM fee runs from Dh370 for a one-bedroom flat to Dh1,200. Tourism tax is Dh10-15 per bedroom, per night.
  5. Check your management company has a physical office, a valid DTCM licence and is licencing your property and paying tourism taxes. For transparency, regularly view your booking calendar.
Moon Music

Artist: Coldplay

Label: Parlophone/Atlantic

Number of tracks: 10

Rating: 3/5

UK-EU trade at a glance

EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years

Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products

Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries

Smoother border management with use of e-gates

Cutting red tape on import and export of food

The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
The%20Beekeeper
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Quick%20facts
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EStorstockholms%20Lokaltrafik%20(SL)%20offers%20free%20guided%20tours%20of%20art%20in%20the%20metro%20and%20at%20the%20stations%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EThe%20tours%20are%20free%20of%20charge%3B%20all%20you%20need%20is%20a%20valid%20SL%20ticket%2C%20for%20which%20a%20single%20journey%20(valid%20for%2075%20minutes)%20costs%2039%20Swedish%20krone%20(%243.75)%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ETravel%20cards%20for%20unlimited%20journeys%20are%20priced%20at%20165%20Swedish%20krone%20for%2024%20hours%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EAvoid%20rush%20hour%20%E2%80%93%20between%209.30%20am%20and%204.30%20pm%20%E2%80%93%20to%20explore%20the%20artwork%20at%20leisure%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

New schools in Dubai
MATCH INFO

Europa League final

Who: Marseille v Atletico Madrid
Where: Parc OL, Lyon, France
When: Wednesday, 10.45pm kick off (UAE)
TV: BeIN Sports

Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING

Director: Christopher McQuarrie

Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg

Rating: 4/5

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

Ain Issa camp:
  • Established in 2016
  • Houses 13,309 people, 2,092 families, 62 per cent children
  • Of the adult population, 49 per cent men, 51 per cent women (not including foreigners annexe)
  • Most from Deir Ezzor and Raqqa
  • 950 foreigners linked to ISIS and their families
  • NGO Blumont runs camp management for the UN
  • One of the nine official (UN recognised) camps in the region
Tips on buying property during a pandemic

Islay Robinson, group chief executive of mortgage broker Enness Global, offers his advice on buying property in today's market.

While many have been quick to call a market collapse, this simply isn’t what we’re seeing on the ground. Many pockets of the global property market, including London and the UAE, continue to be compelling locations to invest in real estate.

While an air of uncertainty remains, the outlook is far better than anyone could have predicted. However, it is still important to consider the wider threat posed by Covid-19 when buying bricks and mortar. 

Anything with outside space, gardens and private entrances is a must and these property features will see your investment keep its value should the pandemic drag on. In contrast, flats and particularly high-rise developments are falling in popularity and investors should avoid them at all costs.

Attractive investment property can be hard to find amid strong demand and heightened buyer activity. When you do find one, be prepared to move hard and fast to secure it. If you have your finances in order, this shouldn’t be an issue.

Lenders continue to lend and rates remain at an all-time low, so utilise this. There is no point in tying up cash when you can keep this liquidity to maximise other opportunities. 

Keep your head and, as always when investing, take the long-term view. External factors such as coronavirus or Brexit will present challenges in the short-term, but the long-term outlook remains strong. 

Finally, keep an eye on your currency. Whenever currency fluctuations favour foreign buyers, you can bet that demand will increase, as they act to secure what is essentially a discounted property.

While you're here
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Updated: May 29, 2025, 6:50 AM`