Tottenham Hotspur defeats Hoffenheim in Europa League providing manager Ange Postecoglou much needed victory

A Europa League victory has provided Tottenham Hotspur and their Aussie coach Ange Postecoglou with some much needed respite amid their Premier League woes.

Son Heung-min helped Tottenham gain some respite from its English Premier League woes on Thursday with a double in a 3-2 Europa League win at Hoffenheim to put it on course for the knockout rounds.

Goals from Son and James Maddison lifted Spurs up to provisional fourth in the revamped league phase of European club football’s second-tier competition ahead of the night’s later games.

It also lifted some of the heat off manager Ange Postecoglou with his injury-ravaged team arriving in Germany after losing seven of their last Premier League games.

Son Heung-Min celebrates with teammate Pedro Porro after scoring his team's third goal during the UEFA Europa League. Picture: Alex Grimm/Getty Images

Postecoglou had pledged to win silverware for the first time for the London side since 2008 in his second season as boss.

With Spurs struggling in 15th behind Liverpool at home that leaves the Europa League, FA Cup and League Cup to fulfil his promise.

A win against Swedish outfit Elfsborg in their closing league phase game at home next week will give them an automatic ticket to the next round as one of the top eight finishers.

“I told them to enjoy it,” Postecoglou told TNT Sports.

“Winning away in Europe, it’s a significant victory for us and gives us a good foothold to get into those top eight spots which will give us a week off,” the Australian added.

They charged out of the stalls with Maddison receiving a pinpoint pass from Pedro Porro to fire the ball past keeper Oliver Baumann and into the roof of the net to give Spurs the perfect start after just four minutes.

“Credit to all the lads, they should enjoy tonight because they put in a massive effort.” 👏

Ange's post-match reaction 💬 pic.twitter.com/dfHxKnk7h1

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 23, 2025

Richarlison, making only his second start of the campaign, could have doubled the advantage but the Brazilian’s shot went straight to Baumann.

Attacking at will Spurs were looking to put the game to bed against their out of sorts German hosts.

And on 22 minutes Maddison turned provider to set up Son whose shot deflected off a defender, the ball flying over Baumann and into the far corner.

The big problem for Spurs given their leaky defence was to hold onto their superiority.

Brandon Austin started in goal for them, two weeks after making his debut, and was called on to make a full-stretched save to deny Tom Bischof as half-time beckoned.

VAR overturned a penalty decision to Hoffenheim after the hour when Austin collided into Max Moerstedt.

Two goals on a special night ✨

Sonny speaks after marking a landmark appearance with a brace in Hoffenheim 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/vOw3F7EyZa

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 23, 2025

With the wind in their sails Hoffenheim halved their deficit minutes later when Spurs got caught on the counter, Anton Stach toeing the ball past Austin.

But Son’s angled shot with 13 minutes left on the clock settled the issue, although David Mokwa’s goal two minutes from normal time meant another nerve-jangling ending for Tottenham’s long-suffering supporters.

Son Heung-Min celebrates with teammate Lucas Bergvall. Picture: Alex Grimm/Getty Images

Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce drew 0-0 at third-placed Lyon to lift the Turkish side provisionally 19th and the door open to make the the play-offs.

In the 2000 GMT kick-offs Manchester United host Rangers and table toppers Lazio play Real Sociedad.

Two Real Sociedad fans were taken to hospital after their group was apparently attacked by hardcore Lazio supporters ahead of the match at the Olympic stadium in Rome, the Spanish club said.

Originally published as Tottenham Hotspur defeats Hoffenheim in Europa League providing manager Ange Postecoglou much needed victory