Adrian Clarke looks at key tactical points and players who can be crucial in the final fixture of Matchweek 29.
Player analysis: Brennan Johnson (Spurs)
Johnson has earned the full trust of Ange Postecoglou in recent weeks after producing three goals and two assists in his last six appearances.
In four of those matches, the Tottenham Hotspur winger came off the bench to make an impact, so during that spell he delivered a direct goal contribution once every 54.2 minutes.
Considering that run of form, and on the back of an excellent individual display in the 4-0 success against Aston Villa last time out, Johnson should keep his place for Saturday’s trip to Fulham.
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Three terrific turnovers
Spurs' summer signing from Nottingham Forest is not known for his ball-winning qualities, but his last three major contributions have all stemmed from situations where he regained possession in good areas.
Against Villa, the 22-year-old followed Ezri Konsa infield before toeing the ball away from the Villa defender - and from the regain he was laid in by Son Heung-min to score.
In Johnson’s previous outing at home to Crystal Palace, he won a tackle that sent Son clear to score, but it was his brilliant assist for Timo Werner that really stood out.
He chased a hopeful ball down the right flank and Johnson then won his duel with Joachim Andersen, before fending off Jefferson Lerma’s challenge to square for Werner to finish.
Fulham’s defenders will know they must not dwell on the ball too much against Postecoglou’s Spurs, a side known for their high intensity pressing.
And having achieved tangible success from his closing down of late, they can expect Johnson to apply plenty of pressure.
Six-yard box threat
One of Johnson’s greatest strengths is his ability to pop up at the far post to convert crosses which are flashed across the face of goal.
Three of his four top-flight goals for Spurs has come in a similar manner, using his speed to make up ground, or to get across his markers, for a ball that’s squared to him inside the six-yard box.
His dramatic winner in the sixth minute of stoppage time against Brighton & Hove Albion was a prime example of this trait, sprinting from inside his own half to meet the centre at the back post.
A pattern of assists
Five of Johnson’s six assists this season have been from square passes or crosses that he has sent across the face of goal.
Always looking to race in behind full-backs, he gets into dangerous positions and from those spots, he is accurate in the way he picks out team-mates.
If you only count the crosses he has made in a Spurs shirt this season, no regular Premier League attacker has been more accurate with their open-play balls.
Premier League attackers open-play crossing accuracy
| Player | Open-play crossing accuracy* |
|---|---|
| Brennan Johnson | 31.25% |
| Moussa Diaby | 30.56% |
| Dwight McNeil | 20.79% |
| Gabriel Martinelli | 20.59% |
| Bukayo Saka | 20.59% |
*Min 10 successful open-play crosses
Whenever he gets into areas where he can hurt the opposition with a telling centre, Johnson is a very capable performer.
This map of his key passes this season outlines where he has been at his best under Postecoglou.
Johnson was preferred to Werner on the left side of Spurs' attack in that rampant 4-0 win at Villa.
It is not his most natural position (and he has not made many key passes from that flank – see above) but there have been moments where he has conjured up quality with his weaker left foot this season.
He made a goal against Palace for Son from that side, but it was his stellar cross on the run for Dejan Kulusevski to assist a dramatic equaliser in a 3-3 draw at Manchester City in December.
The Dekihad 🏟️ pic.twitter.com/yCwxSk4MZd
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) December 3, 2023
Showing what he is capable of with that fabulous assist, Fulham’s right-back will have to be wary of deliberately showing Johnson onto his left foot at Craven Cottage.
Super substitution
With Richarlison in contention to return from injury this weekend, we could see the Brazilian play up front with Son moving to the left.
It would seem a little unfair on Johnson if that happened, but he has shown since joining the club that he has a natural propensity to hit the ground running as a second-half substitute too.
His recent double assist versus Palace, and his goals in 2024 against Brentford and Brighton all came from lively cameo displays off the bench.
Villa’s Leon Bailey is the only player to have made more contributions as a substitute in 2023/24.
Premier League players goals and assists after being substituted on
| Player | Substituted on | Goals | Assists | Goals and assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leon Bailey | 11 | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Brennan Johnson | 7 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Scott McTominay | 11 | 4 | 1 | 5 |
| Darwin Nunez | 9 | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| Joao Pedro | 11 | 4 | 1 | 5 |
Handling the move
Adapting to life at a "Big Six" club is not always easy, especially when you have been the main man elsewhere, as Johnson was at Forest.
However, with four goals, six assists, and several impressive performances under his belt, Johnson has proved his temperament and character are strong.
His move from the City Ground feels like a successful one.
