Postecoglou shows he's no one-trick pony as Tottenham grind way to glory

BILBAO, Spain :When Tottenham Hotspur beat Manchester United 4-3 in a chaotic League Cup quarter-final this season manager Ange Postecoglou railed against criticism of his cavalier tactics and said grinding out 1-0 wins was just not the way he does business.

Five months later on a memorable night in Bilbao, Postecoglou's side did exactly that as they beat Manchester United to win the Europa League and end a 17-year trophy drought for the north London club.

A scruffy goal by Brennan Johnson shortly before halftime befitting a messy game was defended in magnificent fashion as Tottenham ripped up the gung-ho 'Ange Ball' tactics and put 11 men behind the ball to scrap and scrape their way to glory.

Had things gone against Tottenham on Wednesday, it would have been the club's worst season since they were last relegated in 1977 and almost certainly ended Australian Postecoglou's two-season reign at the club.

Instead, he delivered on his promise of always winning a trophy in his second season at a club and whether he is in charge next season or not, the pugnacious 59-year-old will forever be regarded as a Tottenham cult hero.

In the build-up he spoke of changing the perception of a club with a reputation for choking when opportunity knocks.

Against United, they barely crossed the halfway line in the second half as they came under a constant siege but they defended as if their lives depended on it to 'get it done'.

"I know what it is for this football club, it's hard to break that cycle," Postecoglou told TNT Sports.

"I could sense some nervousness because they've been in the situation before but until you get the monkey off your back, you never understand what it feels like.

"Us finishing third (in the Premier League) wasn't going to