Romero showcases Tottenham team spirit as Spurs ace opens Premier League account vs Southampton

Johnson’s brace, followed by Tel’s first Premier League goal, helped Ange Postecoglou secure a much-needed win, easing some of the mounting pressure—at least for the time being.

For Brennan Johnson, the performance was a major boost to his confidence. He looked poised to complete his first Premier League hat-trick after winning a late penalty against Southampton. With the ball in hand and the crowd anticipating the moment, Johnson prepared to take the spot-kick—only for vice-captain Cristian Romero to intervene. The Argentine defender handed the penalty duty to Mathys Tel instead, denying Johnson the chance to cap off a brilliant individual display with a treble.

The Gesture was much appreciated by fans

Romero appeared to make a compassionate call in the final moments of the match, choosing to prioritise Mathys Tel’s confidence over Brennan Johnson’s pursuit of a hat-trick. Aware that the 19-year-old was still waiting to open his Premier League account, Romero gave Johnson a brief hug before taking the ball and handing it to Tel. The young Frenchman made no mistake, calmly slotting home the penalty to register his first league goal and just his second overall since arriving from FC Bayern.

Ange Postecoglou, meanwhile, was full of praise for Johnson after the match. The Tottenham boss highlighted the Welshman’s all-round performance and applauded his contribution, which included his 15th and 16th goals of the season. Speaking to BBC Sport, Postecoglou said Johnson was “outstanding,” crediting not only his brace but also his link-up play and the fact that he earned the penalty as well.

This win could serve as a much-needed lift for Big Ange and his squad, who’ve been under intense scrutiny in recent weeks. It may well mark the beginning of a turning point for the Lilywhites, offering the perfect boost ahead of their crucial upcoming clash against Frankfurt. Moreover, Romero and Johnson’s unselfish act highlighted the togetherness within the squad—an encouraging sign of unity and team spirit that bodes well as Spurs enter a decisive stretch of their season.