The stage coach can be released by Ange Postecoglou when he takes off his highwayman’s mask.
Hard-luck tales and burglaries are as common as coins in the winding kaleidoscope of football, but this was theft. Though not nearly as dramatic as Hatton Garden, the Great Train Robbery, or Shergar’s disappearance, it comes quite close.
After goals from replacements Djed Spence and Brennan Johnson inside the final three minutes changed the tone among the traveling followers from north London from militant to ecstatic, Tottenham’s pickpockets deserve praise for their tenacity. But come on, Big Ange—you’re a real Australian, and you pulled it off, buddy.
Spurs were booed off at the half by away supporters for Postecoglou’s decision to hook their best player, Lucas Bergvall. They were fortunate to escape the most terrifying roller coaster at an incredulous CBS Arena. They were feckless, complacent, and second-best everywhere.
Postecoglou’s declaration that he always comes out on top in his second season appeared to be a pitiful brag for 87 minutes. Tottenham was a terrible team. Though devastated Coventry could not believe their unjust destiny, at least they persisted in their struggle till the very end.
With hints of the 1987 FA Cup final—Keith Houchen’s diving header, Clive Allen’s season-long goal, and everything—both managers made substitutions like it was happy hour at the bell tower.
Big Ange was back at it while Sky Blues manager Mark Robins, also known as The Man Who Saved Fergie’s Job (a title he has held since 1990), added seven new players.
Spurs performed like they couldn’t see the coffee for the beans in a foggy cappuccino kit last season, losing on penalties at the first hurdle despite Postecoglou’s nine alterations.
He made eight modifications this time, and aside from the dramatic ending, they completely botched the performance. The away strip was a hungover green color.
With the exception of Spence and Bergvall, none of the supporting cast members who were given an opportunity to shine made a strong case for a spot in the Premier League starting lineup.
Timo Werner made foolish moves up front, Johnson appeared unconfident until he pulled off a robbery during stoppage time, and Dominic Solanke, the £65 million record signing, was so anonymous that Scotland Yard’s missing persons division ought to have been notified.
After the incident, Postecoglou appeared relieved and cautioned, saying, “One result doesn’t change that and there is no easy quick fix to where we want to get to.”
“We demonstrated tonight what we had been lacking over the previous four games—a small amount of will to persevere and prevail. Coventry deserves a lot of credit; I felt they were excellent and truly put us to the test.
We needed to persevere in some way, and we succeeded. Performance-wise, we weren’t as smooth as I would have wanted, but part of it is down to Coventry.
Even though possession is only nine tenths of the law in this case, Spurs’ dominance with the ball translated into ninety percent of nothing as it took them forty-nine minutes to attempt their first shot.
After sixty-three minutes, the Sky Blues—brave, boisterous, and magnificent—deservedly took the lead when Norman Bassette’s low cross from the left found the unmarked Brandon Thomas-Asante, who finished coolly from eight yards out.
When Dejan Kulusevski slid in fellow substitute Djed Spence to steal an equalizer Spurs hardly deserved, Coventry was only three minutes away from a historic shock.
Then, in the second minute of additional time, unbelievable as it may seem, Rodrigo Bentancur put Johnson past the weary Sky Blues defense to snip the winning goal past Coventry goalie Wilson.
Sky Blues manager Robins, devastated, declared: “I’m going to try not to swear.” We were pretty good, in my opinion. For the most part, we were correct.
But let’s face it, we still need to be more merciless. Opportunities come our way in life, and it seems like we aren’t able to seize them just now.
“The game was there to be won, when I go back to the play-off final and the Manchester United FA Cup semi-final. Tonight, the game was present once again.
“If you are a Tottenham supporter, you are probably relieved to experience it at our expense.”
