BRENNAN JOHNSON went some way to easing his Wales pain by getting Spurs out of jail off the bench here.
The Spurs winger was sent on at half-time with his side one down thanks to Tahith Chong’s early strike.
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Son Heung-min won the game late on for TottenhamCredit: EPA
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Brennan Johnson made a big impact of the bench and teed up Son’s winnerCredit: Reuters
Johnson quickly helped the hosts level as his cross was turned into his own net by unfortunate Luton defender Issa Kabore.
And his clever pass-back to Son Heung-min completed yet another home turnaround for Tottenham with four minutes to go.
It could have been even better for Johnson when his shot came within millimetres of crossing the line at 1-1.
But referee Jarred Gillet’s watch did not buzz in one of the tightest goal-line calls you will see this season.
Johnson will not be bothered though after Son ensured the three points, ending what had been a miserable week for the Welshman on a high.
The 22-year-old had been subbed off in normal time on Tuesday night, long before Wales’ play-off for Euro 2024 qualification against Poland went to penalties.
Dan James, the man who replaced Johnson, was the unlucky soul who missed in the shoot-out.
It was a big victory for Ange Postecolgou’s men as they kept up the pressure in the race for the Champions League – but a far from convincing one.
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Tottenham dominated but missed several chances
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Luton had their backs to the wall for most of the match
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Spurs have a nasty newfound habit of being slow starters and it happened again here.
Just like in home games against Brentford, Brighton and Wolves over the last few months, they fell behind early when Chong struck inside three minutes.
Garth Crooks, if he was watching, will have wanted to look away after the ex-Spurs forward infamously said Luton could “not be taken seriously” and would be “down by Christmas” in his BBC column.
To make it more galling for the home support, it came from a Tottenham attack, too.
But when Dejan Kulusevski’s poor pass went behind Son, it allowed Andros Townsend to nick possession.
The former England man drove the ball up the wing, similarly to how he used to do for Spurs only not quite so quickly, and found Ross Barkley in the box.
In what looked like a training ground move, Barkley did not even have to look up as he picked out Chong who took a touch and fired home his fourth league goal of the season.
It extended Luton’s amazing record of 18 consecutive Premier League games where they have found the net – not bad going for a promoted side.
Chong’s finish was timed at 137 seconds, which was the fastest goal Spurs had shipped at home in a decade.
Yves Bissouma was particularly culpable as he was easily beaten by Townsend out wide, adding another personal maddening Hatters incident to his season.
The Mali star began the campaign in such good form he was arguably one of the best players in the league in those early months.
Yet things started to go sour when he received a second yellow for a silly dive in first-half stoppage time of Spurs’ 1-0 win at the Kenny in October, and he has never regained the same form since.
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Johnson helped Spurs to turn the game around
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James Maddison popped up all over the pitch for his side
Tottenham responded as everyone knew they would but could not take their chances in a frustrating first half.
The nay-sayers in the debate over whether Spurs should pay the £15million it would cost to sign Timo Werner permanently were given more ammunition when the German raced past Issa Kabore but fired wide a good chance with a quarter of an hour played.
Five minutes later, a barmy passage of play saw Spurs miss three chances in the space of a few seconds.
Kulusevski played in Son, who went round keeper Thomas Kaminski but somehow hit BOTH posts.
Werner smashed the rebound goalwards but hit Kabore, allowing Pape Matar Sarr to control and fire his own effort – only to be denied by Teden Mengi on the line.
But for those close shaves, Rob Edwards’ men were relatively comfortable in the first period.
Granted, they pushed boundaries to keep Spurs’ creative men in check, with Ross Barkley and Reece Burke both booked for taking out James Maddison.
And goalscorer Chong deserved credit for his brave block to deny Son’s blast in injury time.
Yet when the half-time whistle blew, boos rang around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Hardly surprising, you might think, given the scoreline and opposition.
But it was the first notable outpouring of dissent at home during the Postecoglou era.
The Aussie acted swiftly by bringing on Johnson at the break – just as he did in the turnaround against Brentford.
And a minute after Barkley had stung Guglielmo Vicario’s hands from distance, the change paid off.
Johnson played a one-two with Maddison and fired the ball across goal.
Kabore got to it first in front of Werner, but dispatched it past his own keeper, kicking the post afterwards in frustration.
Three minutes later the scenario almost repeated itself, this time with Pedro Porro supplying the cross, but Kabore managed to hack away from his goal.
Spurs’ bench was livid on the hour when Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu, who had already been booked, escaped a second yellow despite cynically bringing down Son.
A number of Tottenham fans turned their backs on the action on 65 minutes as part of a ‘Save Our Seniors’ campaign protesting against the club’s controversial decision to ditch concessions for over-65s.
Johnson thought he had won it with 12 minutes to go when his shot looked to have squirmed over the line before Alfie Doughty cleared – but apparently the whole of the ball did not go over.
Still, the Spurs man got over the disappointment by turning Werner’s cross into the path of Son in the final stages – allowing the South Korean to do what he does best.
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Yves Bissouma was key to Spurs maintaining pressure on their opponents
Manchester City’sJoão Cancelo is on the brink of completing a transfer to Saudi Pro League champions Al-Hilal in a deal worth €25 million....Read More
According to reports from L’Equipe, the Portuguese full-back is expected to sign a three-year contract with the Riyadh-based club, where he will earn an impressive €15 million per year. Cancelo, who was a key player for City, signed a five-year extension with the Premier League champions in 2022.
However, he found himself struggling to get into Pep Guardiola’s squad, which led to two loan spells, first at Bayern Munich in the latter half of the 2022-2023 season, and then at FC Barcelona the following year.
Joao Cancelo set to join Saudi club Al-Hilal – Getty image
At Al-Hilal, Cancelo will join an already star-studded lineup that includes his fellow countryman Ruben Neves, as well as Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Neymar.
The move represents another high-profile signing for Al-Hilal as they continue to strengthen their squad under coach Jorge Jesus.
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Osimhen has already reached an agreement with Napoli to leave the club this summer and has been heavily linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain.
The Super Eagles star has an £86 million asking price to his name, a huge drop from Napoli’s £109 million valuation last summer.
Corriere dello Sport reports that the Emirates is Osimhen’s most favored destination via The Boot Room, and not Stamford Bridge.
Osimhen was said to be moving to PSG with Kylian Mbappe having exited Parc des Princes.
Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta’s side are looking for an out-and-out number nine
The Gunners could also turn to their Brazilian frontman, Gabriel Jesus, who lost his starting spot to his German teammate towards the backend of the previous season.
Amid these circumstances, the north Londoners would love to have a big, imposing striker, such as Osimhen.
They will be expected to challenge for the Premier League this year as well after finishing second behind Manchester City two seasons in a row.
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Nigeria’s Super Falcons suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Brazil in their opening match of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in Bordeaux, France, Thursday’s night....Read More
Super Falcons made their long-awaited return to Olympic football after a 16-year absence, but their Paris Games campaign got off to a disappointing start with a 1-0 loss to Brazil in their group C opener game.
Despite dominating the first quarter of the game, the Nigerian side could not convert their chances into goals, falling short against a resolute Brazilian defense.
From the start, Nigeria showcased their attacking intent with Rasheedat Ajibade leading the charge. Her dangerous runs kept the Brazilian defense on edge, and she delivered a precise cross to Uchenna Kanu. However, Kanu’s effort was saved by the Brazilian goalkeeper, who was equally quick to deny Christy Ucheibe’s powerful shot from outside the penalty area shortly after.
In the 35th minute, the game seemed poised to swing in Brazil’s favor when legendary forward Marta scored from close range. However, the goal was disallowed by VAR due to an offside call in the build-up. Just moments later, Brazil capitalized on their chance when Gabi Nunes unleashed a powerful strike from outside the penalty area, beating Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and securing a 1-0 lead.
The second half saw Nigeria push for an equalizer, with both Christy Ucheibe and Rasheedat Ajibade creating opportunities. Ucheibe’s attempts were thwarted by the Brazilian defense, while Ajibade’s efforts lacked the finishing touch needed to breach the Brazilian goal.
Brazil held on for a hard-fought victory, leaving Nigeria with a challenging path ahead.
The Super Falcons will need to regroup quickly as they prepare for their next group match against Spain on July 28th, before facing Japan on July 31st.
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Angolan Eliano Domingos Tito Iacala will be the timekeeper, while Adalberto Luis Fonseca Catambi from Sao Tome and Principe will serve as commissioner.
All the match officials arrived in Kaduna on Thursday.
The encounter will hold at Murtala Muhammed Square, Kaduna.
The Supersand Eagles won the first leg 5-4 in Nouakchott last weekend.
A draw or victory on Saturday will send the Nigerian boys to the finals in Egypt.
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The midfielder had a goal ruled out for offside in the game.
Abiodun and the 38-year-old had a short discussion after the game.
She shared her memorable experience on social media.
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Grand Slam record-breakers Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal were placed on an Olympics second-round collision course in the draw for the Paris Games on Thursday....Read More
Nadal, a singles gold medallist at the 2008 Olympics, is playing in his final Games having also won doubles gold in Rio in 2016, while Djokovic was a bronze medallist in singles in 2008.
Serbia’s Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion and top seed in Paris following the withdrawal of world number one Jannik Sinner, begins his campaign against Australia’s Matthew Ebden.
“I am excited for this duel in the second round, and I will give it my all,” said Djokovic, who has faced Nadal 59 times over the past 18 years.
“I am aware of the importance of the Olympic Games. I represent my country, which is more responsibility and even more pressure.”
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French Open and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz, the second seed, tackles 275th-ranked Hady Habib of Lebanon in the opening round of the tournament, which starts on Saturday.
“Roland Garros is the most special place in the world of tennis for me,” said 38-year-old Nadal, who was defeated in the first round of the French Open by Alexander Zverev last month during an injury-hit season.
“This year I was not able to spend a lot of time at Roland Garros, so I am excited to be back here. It’s another opportunity and a chance to enjoy every single moment.”
Defending Olympic champion Zverev, seeded third, takes on Jaume Munar of Spain.
Russian fourth seed Daniil Medvedev, playing in Paris as a neutral following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, will meet Rinky Hijikata of Australia.
Two-time singles gold medallist Andy Murray, who will end his career at the Olympics after almost two decades on tour, will only play doubles.
The 37-year-old former world number one underwent surgery to remove a cyst on his back before Wimbledon, which also sidelined him from singles at the All England Club.
