Tottenham Hotspur forward Brennan Johnson has been praised after scoring a last-gasp winner to beat Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday.
Tottenham had to produce another late show on Saturday as they came from a goal down to beat Brighton in North London.
Pascal Gross put the Seagulls in front from the penalty spot as Tottenham struggled to find top gear in the first half.
Pape Matar Sarr pulled Tottenham level before Brennan Johnson became the hero, firing home Son Heung-min’s cross deep into injury-time.
This was another case of Tottenham leaving it late to get the win after dramatic winners earlier in the season against Sheffield United and Liverpool, but Ange Postecoglou will just be happy with another three points.
Ange Postecoglou and James Maddison praise Brennan Johnson impact for Tottenham
This was a big moment for Johnson, who has blown hot and cold since his huge £47.5million move from Nottingham Forest in September.
The Welshman has bags of pace but his end product has been fairly inconsistent as he adjusts to higher expectation levels at Spurs.
Johnson has scored two goals in his last three games though and they have come in similar circumstances.
Both goals came from Tottenham attacking down the left flank, putting low cross into the back post for Johnson to score from close range.
These chances are key to Tottenham’s attacking approach and Johnson is catching the eye with his ability to make those late runs into the back post.
Boss Postecoglou has now told Football London that he feels Johnson is really developing that side of his game at Tottenham and that the coaching staff are really helping him in the regard.
“It maybe looks simple but that ball that Sonny plays, that’s a world-class player in a clutch moment, finds the right pass, you can’t do that if you can’t bring him on, if it’s somebody else. Even Brennan getting on the far post, we’ve helped him to do that,” said Postecoglou. “It’s not about confidence… I feel like with the squad we have for today and hopefully moving towards, we do have that ability irrespective of where the game’s at, to finish games strong,” he added.
Johnson has also caught the eye of midfielder James Maddison, who told BBC Sport that Postecoglou ‘always goes on’ about attacking the back post and Johnson is now showing that ability.
“We’ve done it a few times here at home with late winners, so credit to Brennan [Johnson] with the winner. The gaffer always goes on about getting that first time cross in to the far post. It was just good quality all round [for the goal] and Brennan got in at the back post. It was a well worked goal,” said Maddison.
Johnson has time on his side at Tottenham and his last few appearances show the kind of attacking potential he possesses.
Tottenham need to see Johnson continue this run of form though and if he can keep getting into that spot on the back post, he will certainly begin to repay that hefty price tag.
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