Sheffield Utd 0-3 Tottenham: Player ratings as Spurs clinch Europa League place

Tottenham Hotspur wrapped up fifth place in the Premier League with a commanding victory over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Sunday afternoon.

A brace from Dejan Kulusevski and Pedro Porro's thunderbolt led Spurs to victory and Europa League qualification in their final game of Ange Postecoglou's first campaign as manager.

The defeat provided more pain for Blades fans, who saw their side fall to a 28th league defeat of the season.

How the game unfolded

The first real opportunity for the home side to test Guglielmo Vicario came in the sixth minute with Gustavo Hamer standing over a free-kick in a favourable position. Fortunately for the travelling support, the midfielder's strike lacked the venom to beat the Italian stopper.

Ben Brereton Diaz rattled the woodwork just before the ten-minute mark having been found in Spurs' box by Hamer. However, even if the ball had hit the back of the net, it would have been ruled offside.

Despite United having a measure of control in the opening stages, the visitors struck first as Kulusevski fired low and powerfully past Wes Foderingham.

The winger could have had a second in the 20th minute but Foderingham was equal to his effort, palming the shot wide before his defenders came to sweep up possession.

Spurs continued their onslaught as Rodrigo Bentancur hit the post from just outside the box and Son Heung-min volleyed goal-bound with Foderingham at full stretch to save. The Blades keeper next denied Porro from range.

Down the other end, Cameron Archer found himself one-on-one with Vicario but could not take his opportunity, dragging the ball desperately wide.

As the first half drew to a close, Foderingham was once again on hand to stop Spurs from furthering their advantage, saving James Maddison's punt from close range.

Vicario was immediately called into action at the start of the second half, sprawling to deny Archer's strike. However, any potential goal would have been disallowed due to offside.

It was 2-0 on the hour mark after a series of chances as Porro smashed the ball past Foderingham and moments later Tottenham were even further ahead as Kulusevski slotted in less fiercely, assisted by Maddison.

The next incident of note was substitute Andre Brooks being sent off for bringing down Son in the box. However, following a look at the pitch-side monitor, referee Andy Madley rescinded the red card.

It should have been 4-0 in the 81st minute as Brennan Johnson spooned the ball over but Spurs nevertheless did enough to secure fifth place, ensuring they weren't caught by London rivals Chelsea who edged past Bournemouth 2-1.

Sheffield United player ratings (3-5-2)

GK: Wes Foderingham - 7/10 - Was constantly on his toes in the first half, saving a large number of Spurs attempts.

CB: Anel Ahmedhodzic - 5/10 - Didn't appear too comfortable when faced with Son. Sent the ball out of play a few times too many when he could have made a simple pass.

CB: Auston Trusty - 6/10 - Was arguably the Blades' better centre-back, offering himself well in attack as well as defence. Certainly had Dragusin irritated in the first half's dying embers.

CB: Jack Robinson - 5/10 - Seemed rather absent until second-half stoppage time when he clattered into Van de Ven for a booking.

RWB: Jayden Bogle - 6/10 - Dragged his side up the pitch well but couldn't execute the final pass, especially under pressure from the Spurs backline.

CM: Gustavo Hamer - 6/10 - Despite a promising start, his performance waned as the game progressed.

CM: Oliver Arblaster - 6/10 - Threw his body on the line before Spurs grabbed their second. Commendable performance but did concede two. Came off on the hour mark.

CM: Ben Osborn - N/A - Came off within five minutes having collided with Van de Ven.

LWB: Max Lowe - 5/10 - Didn't enjoy the battle with Kulusevski. Should arguably have been hauled off earlier than he was.

ST: Cameron Archer - 5/10 - Squandered a great chance for his side in the first half which would have restored parity.

ST: Ben Brereton Diaz - 5/10 - Hit the post at 0-0 from an offside position and didn't do much after that.

Substitutes

SUB: Rhian Brewster (62' for Archer) - 5/10

SUB: Vinicius Souza (5' for Osborn) - 5/10

SUB: Mason Holgate (69' for Lowe) - 6/10

SUB: Andre Brooks (62' for Arblaster) - 5/10

SUB: Daniel Jebbison (70' for Brereton Diaz) - 5/10

Subs not used: Adam Davies (GK), Oliver McBurnie, Yasser Larouci, James McAtee.

Manager

Chris Wilder - 5/10 - His team arguably let him down, lacking the cutting edge especially at 0-0. It remains to be seen if the 56-year-old will stay in the hot-seat as the Blades compete in the Championship next season.

Tottenham player ratings (4-2-3-1)

GK: Guglielmo Vicario - 7/10 - A mostly comfortable afternoon for the Italian, who benefitted from solid protection provided by Romero and Dragusin.

RB: Pedro Porro - 7/10 - As robust as ever. Bombed up and down his flank well, sending in a handful of troublesome crosses, and lashed in Tottenham's second.

CB: Cristian Romero - 7/10 - Smart in the tackle, shrewd with his football. Romero has finished the season impressively.

CB: Radu Dragusin - 6/10 - Able to get himself in the box plenty of times with the speedy Van de Ven and aggressive Romero covering.

LB: Micky van de Ven - 7/10 - Used his pace effectively. Had he gone through the season without injury, Spurs would have certainly finished higher in the Premier League standings.

CM: Pape Matar Sarr - 6/10 - Constantly made passes forward aiming to find Kulusevski and Son, though a few were overcooked.

CM: Rodrigo Bentancur - 6/10 - Reliable in the centre of the park. Stuck to his position well and distributed the ball to his wide teammates confidently.

RW: Dejan Kulusevski - 9/10 - Got on the scoresheet nice and early. Netted again in the second half. A sublime display from the Sweden international.

AM: James Maddison - 6/10 - Has had better games this season. Wasn't his usual accurate self on corners and didn't have an opportunity to test his skills with a free-kick. However, he did assist Kulusevski's second.

LW: Brennan Johnson - 6/10 - Didn't receive as much of the ball as he would have liked. Still proved a handful with his movement and threatening runs and grabbed an assist.

ST: Son Heung-Min - 7/10 - Had his say in Spurs' opener. Tormented the Blades with his pace and quick feet. Finishes the season as Tottenham's top goalscorer with 17 and their joint-top assister - tied with Johnson - with ten.

Substitutes

SUB: Oliver Skipp (76' for Skipp) - 6/10

SUB: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (66' for Sarr) - 6/10

SUB: Emerson Royal (76' for Porro) - 6/10

SUB: Dane Scarlett (88' for Son) - 5/10

SUB: Mikey Moore (88' for Maddison) - 5/10

Subs not used: Brandon Austin (GK), Alfie Whiteman (GK), Bryan Gil, Jamie Donley.

Manager

Ange Postecoglou - 8/10 - His decision to throw Kulusevski into the starting lineup paid off and helped Spurs secure Europa League football next season. Should certainly have the supporters on his side for that achievement.

Player of the match: Dejan Kulusevski (Tottenham)

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