Tottenham kept alive their hopes of ending a 17-year trophy drought and saving Ange Postecoglou from the sack as they beat Bodo/Glimt 2-0 on Thursday to book a Europa League final clash against Manchester United.

After winning the semi-final first leg 3-1 last week, Postecoglou’s troubled side weathered the storm in a second leg played in gale-force winds in Norway.

Dominic Solanke and Pedro Porro netted in the second half as Tottenham’s 5-1 aggregate victory secured their place in the final in Bilbao on May 21.

United thrashed Athletic Bilbao 7-1 on aggregate to set up the showdown between the Premier League’s two biggest underachievers this season.

Tottenham have already beaten United three times this season, winning 3-0 and 1-0 in the Premier League and 4-3 in the League Cup.

The north Londoners are aiming to win their first European trophy since the 1984 UEFA Cup and their first silverware in any competition since the League Cup in 2008.

Tottenham’s last four finals have all ended in defeat, most notably the 2019 Champions League showpiece against Liverpool, while they were also beaten in the 2009, 2015 and 2021 League Cup finals.

Ending that dismal streak would fulfil Postecoglou’s bold boast earlier this season that he always win a trophy in his second season.

“We knew it was a difficult place to come. We’re aware of the record they have here, the pitch. The lads handled it well. Excited, we’re in a final,” Postecoglou said.

“You understand the context of what this football club has been trying to achieve for quite a while.

“We’ve overcome adversity this season. We’ve grown in maturity and we understand exactly what’s required. I think that’s where we won the game.”

Despite languishing in 16th place in the Premier League, Europa League glory for Tottenham would also secure a place in next season’s Champions League.

Whether that will be enough to spare the beleaguered Postecoglou from the sack is another matter.

The Australian has admitted the general perception outside Tottenham is he faces the sack regardless of the Europa League run because their domestic form has been so bad.

With three games left in the top-flight season, Tottenham are in danger of their worst finish since they were relegated in 1976-77.

United are just one place above Tottenham in the English top flight after an equally woeful campaign.

© Agence France-Presse

Photo: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images