How Brennan Johnson and Ange Postecoglou are finding Tottenham vindication together

«Second goal for Spurs...scored in second-half stoppage time...from number 22...Brennan Johnson!» breathless stadium announcer Pete Abbott screamed at the top of his lungs down the microphone at 4:58pm on Saturday.

Tottenham Hotspur's Welsh winger had just given the hosts a late 2-1 lead against Brighton & Hove Albion, racing onto the end of a low cross from Son Heung-min and thundering the ball into the roof of the net from close range in the 96th minute.

For the third time already this season, Ange Postecoglou's side had snatched a win at the very last on home soil. It was timely vindication for the Greek-Australian and his band of young stars, who had been criticised intensely over the last week for conceding too many late goals.

This goal in particular was a further 'I told you so' argument for Postecoglou and Johnson as a pair. The 22-year-old has been thrust into a bright spotlight in his debut Spurs season, with injuries and absences elsewhere across the frontline meaning he's had to feature a lot more prominently than was likely planned upon his arrival in September.

Johnson impressed in his early Tottenham appearances, making a difference off the bench against Sheffield United and Crystal Palace, while he also played well in starts from the left when taking on fierce rivals Arsenal and Chelsea.

These brief cameos and the odd appearance from the off were followed by a run of 12 successive starts in all competitions. Even if Johnson was in the form of his life, this wouldn't have been in the script.

For the most part, Johnson was switched back over to the right and tasked with stretching play. With his pace and general style, he is the only player in Tottenham's squad who is a natural fit with Postecoglou's usual