James Maddison has stated that Brennan Johnson's ability to get into position to convert at the back post on a regular basis is "a skill" and "not luck". The winger netted his eighth goal of the 2024/25 season on Saturday evening as he completed the scoring in Tottenham's resounding 4-0 win away at reigning Premier League champions Manchester City.
Timo Werner was the architect with a run beyond Kyle Walker down the left wing before Johnson finished off his cross following an excellent run from his own half. Since joining Tottenham in a big-money move from Nottingham Forest in the summer of 2023, the 23-year-old has scored a number of similar goals by getting into the positions Ange Postecoglou wants when the ball is on the other side of the pitch.
Maybe simple finishes for the Wales international, as was very much the case in late September when he scored from point-blank range in the 3-0 win over Manchester United, Johnson deserves so much credit for making the runs that get him into the right areas in the first place. Speaking to SPURSPLAY after the 4-0 drubbing of Manchester City, Maddison opened up on his best friend at the club and revealed that his tendency to score goals at the back post is not luck.
"Brennan's my best pal here, he's a great lad," said the 28-year-old. "He worked so hard for the team when he came on today. I was on at him a bit, he was on my side and, especially as we're getting a little bit tired towards the end and he's come on with fresh legs, I'm getting him to do the running that he needs to as we had to defend deep at times. He does it, he takes on info, he respects and listens.
"He's always there at the back stick and it's a skill. It's not luck that he gets so many tap-ins because he's relentless in his running and the awareness. When people score a lot of tap-ins, it's a skill I promise. People don't think that it is but you've got to be there to have the chances and he's always there.
"He scores that goal so many times at the back stick when he's in front of the defender, so credit to him and really happy."
Such a memorable day for the club after putting Pep Guardiola's Manchester City side to the sword, Maddison discussed the importance of savouring the victory rather than immediately moving on and looking ahead to Thursday's showdown against Roma in the Europa League.
"It’s a special day," he explained. "I’ve just said in a few interviews that these days don’t come around very often, against the champions, arguably the best team in Europe, Pep Guardiola’s side, so you have to enjoy them.
"Credit to the lads, I thought we were absolutely outstanding today. We dug deep when we had to, we were clinical, we created chances, we had to rely on blocks from defenders, goalie saves… it was everything you want from a Spurs performance. That’s what we want to showcase when we’re at our best level. It was all there.
"I’m really happy, and we’ve got to enjoy the moment. I said to the boys, ‘it’s not often you’ll come to the champions and win 4-0’, so enjoy it. People always talk about the next game, but sometimes you have to sit back and reflect a little and enjoy, then move on. I’m so happy and proud of the boys."