Manchester United and Tottenham Take the Lead in Europa League Semifinals
The rescue mission is underway for Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur. Both English clubs secured impressive victories on Thursday in the first legs of their UEFA Europa League semifinal encounters, keeping their aspirations for a significant...
TroibNews 
The rescue mission is underway for Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.
Both English clubs secured impressive victories on Thursday in the first legs of their UEFA Europa League semifinal encounters, keeping their aspirations for a significant trophy and a spot in next season's UEFA Champions League alive.
United triumphed over Athletic Bilbao with a 3-0 scoreline at the San Mames Stadium, while Tottenham achieved a 3-1 victory at home against Norwegian team Bodo/Glimt.
This season has been difficult for both United and Spurs, as they find themselves in the lower half of the Premier League table. However, improved performances in the Europa League may provide one of the teams with a chance to redeem their campaign.
In addition to the opportunity for silverware, there’s also an unlikely pathway to the lucrative Champions League, which awaits the winner of this second-tier continental competition.
United in Command
Manchester United delivered what may have been their best performance of the season, taking an assertive first-leg lead against a ten-man Bilbao squad.
Casemiro opened the scoring for Ruben Amorim's team in the 30th minute, heading in a cross from Harry Maguire.
They doubled their lead just seven minutes later when Rasmus Hojlund was fouled in the box by Dani Vivian, leading to a penalty after a Video Assistant Referee review. Vivian received a red card for the infraction, and Bruno Fernandes successfully slotted home the penalty.
Fernandes added his second and United's third goal in the 45th minute, breaking through on goal and curling a shot past keeper Julen Agirrezabala.
The United captain has now netted 18 goals and provided 16 assists across all competitions this season. According to data aggregator Opta, only Liverpool's Mohamed Salah has more goal contributions in the Premier League this term, boasting a total of 56.
"I want to score goals, I want to be involved. I know one of my qualities is getting goals and making assists, so I just need to keep going," said Fernandes.
The margin of victory could have been greater, as Noussair Mazraoui and Casemiro both struck the woodwork in the closing stages.
The second leg is scheduled for Old Trafford on May 8, and United could potentially find themselves just 90 minutes away from a return to Bilbao, which is set to host the final on May 21.
Tottenham in the Lead
Pressure is mounting on Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou, who might still fulfill his assertion that he always wins a trophy in his second season.
This record, achieved at previous clubs Brisbane Roar, Yokohama F. Marinos, and Celtic, appeared to be in jeopardy throughout a challenging season marked by 19 Premier League losses for Spurs.
Nevertheless, a 3-1 victory against Bodo/Glimt at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium could bolster belief that Postecoglou can achieve similar success once again.
Spurs took the lead within the first minute with a goal from Brennan Johnson, and James Maddison extended their advantage in the 34th minute.
A penalty from Dominic Solanke at the 61st minute made it 3-0, but Ulrik Saltnes revived hope for the visitors by scoring in the 83rd minute, setting the stage for the return leg in Norway.
"I don't think the scoreline reflects our dominance, but at the end of the first leg, all you want is to be in a good position, and we've got ourselves into a good position," Postecoglou remarked.
Emily Johnson for TROIB News
Both English clubs secured impressive victories on Thursday in the first legs of their UEFA Europa League semifinal encounters, keeping their aspirations for a significant trophy and a spot in next season's UEFA Champions League alive.
United triumphed over Athletic Bilbao with a 3-0 scoreline at the San Mames Stadium, while Tottenham achieved a 3-1 victory at home against Norwegian team Bodo/Glimt.
This season has been difficult for both United and Spurs, as they find themselves in the lower half of the Premier League table. However, improved performances in the Europa League may provide one of the teams with a chance to redeem their campaign.
In addition to the opportunity for silverware, there’s also an unlikely pathway to the lucrative Champions League, which awaits the winner of this second-tier continental competition.
United in Command
Manchester United delivered what may have been their best performance of the season, taking an assertive first-leg lead against a ten-man Bilbao squad.
Casemiro opened the scoring for Ruben Amorim's team in the 30th minute, heading in a cross from Harry Maguire.
They doubled their lead just seven minutes later when Rasmus Hojlund was fouled in the box by Dani Vivian, leading to a penalty after a Video Assistant Referee review. Vivian received a red card for the infraction, and Bruno Fernandes successfully slotted home the penalty.
Fernandes added his second and United's third goal in the 45th minute, breaking through on goal and curling a shot past keeper Julen Agirrezabala.
The United captain has now netted 18 goals and provided 16 assists across all competitions this season. According to data aggregator Opta, only Liverpool's Mohamed Salah has more goal contributions in the Premier League this term, boasting a total of 56.
"I want to score goals, I want to be involved. I know one of my qualities is getting goals and making assists, so I just need to keep going," said Fernandes.
The margin of victory could have been greater, as Noussair Mazraoui and Casemiro both struck the woodwork in the closing stages.
The second leg is scheduled for Old Trafford on May 8, and United could potentially find themselves just 90 minutes away from a return to Bilbao, which is set to host the final on May 21.
Tottenham in the Lead
Pressure is mounting on Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou, who might still fulfill his assertion that he always wins a trophy in his second season.
This record, achieved at previous clubs Brisbane Roar, Yokohama F. Marinos, and Celtic, appeared to be in jeopardy throughout a challenging season marked by 19 Premier League losses for Spurs.
Nevertheless, a 3-1 victory against Bodo/Glimt at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium could bolster belief that Postecoglou can achieve similar success once again.
Spurs took the lead within the first minute with a goal from Brennan Johnson, and James Maddison extended their advantage in the 34th minute.
A penalty from Dominic Solanke at the 61st minute made it 3-0, but Ulrik Saltnes revived hope for the visitors by scoring in the 83rd minute, setting the stage for the return leg in Norway.
"I don't think the scoreline reflects our dominance, but at the end of the first leg, all you want is to be in a good position, and we've got ourselves into a good position," Postecoglou remarked.
Emily Johnson for TROIB News
