Tottenham 1–0 Man United: Football Analytics Breakdown of the Europa League Final
Match Summary
Score: Tottenham Hotspur 1–0 Manchester United
Date: May 21, 2025
Competition: UEFA Europa League Final
Formations: Tottenham 4–2–3–1 | Man United 3–4–2–1
Match Time: 100 mins
Active Play: 45 mins
xG: Tottenham 0.8 – 2.2 Man United
xT: Tottenham 1.1 – 1.2 Man United
Football Analytics Breakdown
Tactical Analysis
Tottenham edged out Manchester United in a dramatic Europa League Final thanks to Brennan Johnson’s 42nd-minute strike - and a resilient defensive display that held up under pressure. Despite having just 23% possession and significantly lower xG, Tottenham converted their only shot on target while surviving a barrage of United chances.
This is a perfect case study in football analytics showing that data tells more than the scoreline - and why game state, pressure, and clinical finishing matter just as much as volume.
xG Timeline
Manchester United dominated the expected goals race (2.2 vs 0.8), especially in the second half, but couldn't find the net. Tottenham’s single goal opportunity, taken clinically by Johnson, proved decisive.
xT Timeline
The xT (expected threat) was nearly even — 1.2 to 1.1 — with United’s buildup play increasing steadily but rarely breaking Tottenham’s compact structure.
Shotmap
United’s shots were plentiful and varied in location, but lacked conversion. Tottenham had just 3 total shots, but made one count.
Possession & Passing
United controlled the tempo with 77% possession and 571 completed passes, boasting a pass accuracy of 78.6%. Tottenham, by contrast, made just 224 passes but were focused and compact in their structure.
Their low passes per chain (1.7 vs 4.1) shows a direct style with fast breakouts.
Player Ratings
The player is awarded a rating for each game based on how good the player's performance was compared to other players in the same position, with data from a magnitude of historical games.
Leny Yoro – Manchester United – 8.4 ⭐⭐⭐
Bruno Fernandes – Manchester United – 8.2 ⭐⭐
Harry Maguire – Manchester United – 7.8 ⭐
Despite the loss, United’s back line and midfield were among the top performers - highlighting how football analysis tools can surface standout displays in losing efforts.
Final Thoughts
Tottenham’s Europa League triumph was a masterclass in efficiency and resilience. For scouts and analysts looking to spot undervalued players or identify tactical breakthroughs, this final shows how data can redefine narratives.
Interested in diving deeper into performance metrics, match control, or how to become a football scout, or implement this into your daily work as a football scout, analyst or journalist?
