By Gareth James
Brennan Johnson has earned more praise for his goal contribution from Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou.
Wales striker Johnson scored for the fourth successive match as Spurs cruised to a comfortable 3-0 win against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
It’s a notable contribution from the 23-year-old who was criticised by some Spurs fans online after he failed to score in his first four games of the season.
Since then, he has found the net against Coventry City, Brentford, FK Qarabag and now United – form which will have encouraged Wales manager Craig Bellamy that Johnson can deliver more of the same for his country against Iceland and Montenegro in a few days’ time.
https://twitter.com/SkySportsPL/status/1840415356965339179
Wales go to Iceland in their Nations League tie on Friday week and then host Montenegro three days later.
Postecoglou said: “I think our performances in the league all year have been really strong. We just haven’t had that cutting edge.
“But obviously, it helps that we’ve now got Dom [Solanke] back and he’s scoring goals, and Brennan’s scoring goals as well.
“So, I think our form has been consistent but when you get the wins… you want them to feel the reward, to feel like they feel right now because it’s going to need another effort in the next game to get us there.”
Johnson was watched at Old Trafford by his father, David, a former Wales international and ex-United youth player.
Johnson senior was seen smiling proudly on TV cameras as Brennan opened the scoring after three minutes.
https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1840414903921684598
He then struck the post with a shot soon afterwards before setting up Dejan Kulusevski’s goal to make it 2-0.
He was later seen speaking to United captain Bruno Fernandes in the seconds before the Portuguese midfielder was sent off.
After the game, the former Nottingham Forest forward told Sky Sports, ““11 v 11, or 11 v 10 we completely dominated the game.
“We had a clear game plan and we did exactly what we wanted to do.
On his goal he added: “Once the cross came to me I was happy to put it in.
“The way we play, the minute we get the chance to put an early cross in we do. The manager demands that we are at the far post.”
155 – Brennan Johnson's goal after 155 seconds is the earliest Man Utd have conceded in the Premier League since August 2023 v Nottingham Forest (88s), and is Tottenham's earliest at Old Trafford in the league since September 2012 (113s). Blistering. pic.twitter.com/nGzuQ26cTW
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 29, 2024
Kulusevski said of Johnson, “[Brennan’s been ] unbelievable, but that’s a good thing [he is off social media], because social media is overrated, I think,”
The Swede added: “He can focus on the right things, to play football. Four games, four goals is unbelievable.
“Today, he could score two – he hit the post one time – but he’s been doing really good, and he’s a really good guy, young guy, and we need him. We need him to perform like this every game, and we’re here to support it.
“I think there is so much that can weigh down on you as a player, because millions of people have opinions on you every day.
“But the important thing is don’t listen to nobody, and just to be with your family and trust in yourself and work hard, then nothing can stop you.
“I think every player goes through [tough times], and you just have to go through it because you just need to learn. Sometimes you’re questioning everything, but you just have to forget and remember why you started and remember who you are and where you want to go. That’s what I’m doing right now.”
https://twitter.com/LastWordOnSpurs/status/1840498064232194372
