Ange Postecoglou satisfied with Tottenham Hostpur's Europa League semi-final first leg against Bodo/Glimt - 'Scoreline doesn't reflect dominance

Ange Postecoglou believes Tottenham Hotspur deserved to take a stronger lead into the second leg of their UEFA Europa League semi-final against Bodo/Glimt after a "dominant" display in north London. The hosts went 3-0 up thanks to goals from Brennan Johnson, James Maddison and Dominic Solanke, but had their advantage reduced as the visitors snatched a goal late on with their first shot on target.

Ange Postecoglou has said Tottenham Hotspur’s 3-1 advantage over Bodo/Glimt in their UEFA Europa League semi-final doesn’t "reflect their dominance" in the first leg. 

Brennan Johnson opened the scoring for the hosts after just 38 seconds before goals from James Maddison and Dominic Solanke made it three just beyond the hour mark. 

However, Ulrik Saltnes’ deflected strike against the run of play reduced Glimt’s deficit late on and gave them a glimmer of hope ahead of next week’s second leg in Norway.

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Speaking to TNT Sports, Postecoglou said: "In terms of performance, I couldn’t ask any more of the lads. We were dominant, really well-organised defensively.

"They’re quite a dangerous team if they get some momentum. We never allowed them to have that. 

"I don't think the scoreline reflects our dominance, but at the end of the day, at the end of the first leg, you want to be in a good position - we’ve got ourselves in a good position." 

Highlights: Early goals help Spurs to crucial first-leg victory over Bodo/Glimt

Video credit: TNT Sports

Despite the visitors enjoying more possession, Postecoglou’s side limited them to just three shots throughout the match and just one on target while mustering 24 efforts of their own, seven of which found the target. 

The north London side may not enjoy the same freedom in the reverse leg, with the Norwegian side a vastly improved outfit on home turf, beating Porto, Besiktas, Olympiakos and Lazio in this season.

The first of Tottenham’s efforts came in the opening minute as Johnson nodded home at the back post following Richarlison’s header back across goal. 

Discussing his side’s fast start, Postecoglou said: "Brennan’s always there. Every time you do a freeze-frame of us attacking, he’ll be in that position to score, and he gets a reward.

"It was a great start for us and gave us some momentum in the game for sure."

Johnson gives Spurs 'dream start' after 38 seconds against Bodo/Glimt

Video credit: TNT Sports

On Johnson’s ability to be in the right place at the right time, the Spurs boss said: "He's really disciplined with that.

"It’s one of those where people just see him tapping it in, but they don't realise he's made that run probably 10, 15 times in the game and he's always in the right spot, so credit to him."

The header was Johnson’s fourth goal in the Europa League this season and his 17th in all competitions, the most of any Tottenham player in both respects.  

Discussing his goal, the Welshman told TNT Sports: "I didn't realise it was that early. They’re a team who will build in confidence if we give them time to play, so we knew we had to be onto them straight away.

"Getting an early goal really set the tempo, and I thought we started really well."

Spurs' main concern of the evening came in the second period as Solanke and Maddison were both forced off, but Postecoglou said after the game that their injuries "were nothing too serious".

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