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Key points
- Tottenham Hotspur were trailing at the 80th minute when manager Ange Postecoglou inserted Richarlison into the game.
- The Brazilian striker overcame recent personal problems to level the scores, then set up the match-winner for Tottenham.
- The win kept Postecoglou’s unbeaten record in his first season in the Premier League in tact.
- Days earlier Postecoglou was named the league’s manager of the month and shortlisted as a contender for FIFA’s best men’s coach of the year.
Ange Postecoglou is a man who can do no wrong in his new Tottenham kingdom.
At least, that’s how the Australian must look to Spurs’ long-suffering fans, who have seen their new saviour’s unbeaten start to life in the Premier League now gilded by the latest of late comebacks at home to Sheffield United that turned a probable first defeat into a fourth straight win.
Ange Postecoglou wills Tottenham Hotspur to a memorable Premier League win over Sheffield United on Saturday.Credit: Getty
Coming at the end of a week in which the 58-year-old has been saluted as the league’s manager of the month – in his first month – and shortlisted for the title of FIFA’s best men’s coach of the year, here was a 2-1 victory to pipe the icing on the cake on Saturday (Sunday AEST).
His ideal week climaxed with Richarlison – the star striker he’d been struggling to get the best out of – returning to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to prove himself a matchwinner.
Richarlison, who had made headlines in the week with his revelation, while on international duty with Brazil, that he would “seek psychological help” for off-the-field issues, was brought off the bench in the 80th minute and headed Spurs level after the first eight minutes of stoppage time had been added on.
A couple of minutes later Richarlison then expertly found the unmarked Dejan Kulusevski in the box to fire home a 100th minute winner and seal the latest-ever winning comeback in Premier League annals.
Postecoglou could not have been more thrilled, but mainly it was just genuine delight for the Brazilian.
“We’ve got to maintain a balance in life and even for him, he needs to understand his football is still good. He’s a fantastic footballer,” Postecoglou told BBC Sport.
“He’s got so much to give and that can help ease the burden he’s feeling in other parts of his life. I’m really pleased for him.
“Hopefully that gives him a bit more of a settled feel to deal with the other areas in his life.
Richarlison celebrates his goal; that ignited Tottenham Hotspur.Credit: Getty
“For everyone, it’s about not letting it overwhelm you and, hopefully, a day like today helps him.”
This had been far from the best performance Spurs have produced under the Australian but the resilience and spirit that’s pushed them to their best start to a top-flight season for 57 years once again shone through.
“There’s some real resilience and spirit within that group already, which is great to see because they are a relatively new group,” he noted.
“You get tested on days like this. It helps fuel belief for us to grow.
“Our supporters have had an unforgettable day and all those things help in what we are trying to do.”
But this may just be the start.
Next weekend, Postecoglou gets his first taste of a north London derby against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium.
If he’s the toast of Tottenham already, he’ll be positively revered if he can oversee a defeat of the Gunners down the road on their home patch.
AAP
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