Agency Report –
Berlin – Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur shrugged off their Premier League woes as they clinched last 16 berths in the Europa League with victories at Romania’s FCSB and against Swewden’s Elfsborg, respectively, on Thursday.
United prevailed 2-0 while Spurs won 3-0 to finish the league stage in third and fourth, behind Italy’s Lazio and Spain’s Athletic Bilbao.
Eintracht Frankfurt, Olympique Lyon, Greek side Olympiacos and Scotland’s Rangers also avoided an extra play-off tie to complete the top eight.
Mainoo shines for United
In Bucharest, Ruben Amorim’s United failed to break through in the first half but Diogo Dalot slotted home at the far post on the hour off Kobbie Mainoo after Alejandro Garnacho was denied by the outside post and Bruno Fernades by the crossbar.
The lively Mainoo clinched matters in the 68th as United became the only unbeaten side from the 36 teams with five wins and three draws.
“I think we controlled the game very well. The lads did a good job – another clean sheet. We created chances, but we have to score more goals. But in the end, it was a good day for us,” Amorim told TNT Sports.
Looking at Mainoo, he added: “Kobbie played very well in that position, with more freedom and not so much responsibility running back all the time.”
Spurs academy trio sees them through
Spurs fans also had to wait for the second half to celebrate before Ange Postecoglou got his substitutions spot on.
Dane Scarlett headed home in the 70th and then set up fellow youngster Damola Ajayi in the 84th. Mikey Moore wrapped up the 3-0 success. All three scorers came through Spurs’ academy.
“It was important to just get the job done tonight,” Sputs defender Ben Davies told TNT Sports.
“We know those games can be banana skins the longer they stay 0-0. You can feel the anxiety around the place and it jus builds. Thankfully this guy [Scarlett] comes on and changes the game. A good win overall.”
Scarlett said: “It was amazing. I have been waiting for that moment for a long time. I have been on loan and experienced men’s football. I feel really good now. Ready to kick on. Very happy.”
Lazio and Frankfurt lose but through
Lazio had been the only team to be assured of a last 16 spot before Thursday, and could afford a 1-0 defeat at Portugal’s Braga, who were eliminated despite Ricardo Horta’s early winner. Bilbao beat Czech side Viktoria Plzen 3-1.
The 2022 winners Frankfurt lost 2-0 at Roma from Angelina’s volley and substitute Eldor Shomurodov, with the hosts clinching a berth in the play-offs which are drawn on Friday and played February 13 and 20.
Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp admitted to a “deserved defeat” but added that “we are happy to go straight into the last 16. We earned this over the eight games.”
Anderlecht drop, Mourinho club escapes
Like FCSB, Belgium’s Anderlecht crashed out of the top eight and must go through the play-offs after losing 4-3 at home against Germany’s Hoffenheim, for who victory came too late to avoid elimination.
Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce got the last play-off berth, one goal better than Braga, with a 2-2 draw at Denmark’s Midtjylland, with veteran striker Edin Dzeko setting up the first from Youssef En-Nesyri and scoring the second himself.
Ajax beat Galatasaray 2-1 as both reached the play-offs, and so did Porto thanks to a 1-0 at Maccabi Tel Aviv, while Twente defeated Besiktas 1-0 to advance and eliminate the Istanbul side.
By John Bagratuni
