While everything is right in Leeds United’s world right now, fans of Tottenham Hotspur must once again be wondering if the entirety of the universe was created purely as a joke at their expense.
In a week where Spurs moved to within 270 minutes of Europa League glory, their quarter-final victory over Eintracht Frankfurt was overshadowed by North London neighbours Arsenal bloodying the regal noses of Real Madrid in their own Santiago Bernabeu back yard.
Wouldn’t it be so very ‘Spursy’ for Tottenham to end their near-two decade trophy drought, only to see it immediately one-upped by their rivals from down the road?
On Friday night, meanwhile, the long-suffering Spurs faithful saw two players they let go combine to ensure Leeds United are within touching distance of another Championship title.
Leeds can officially return to the Premier League on Monday with a victory against Stoke City. It was Manor Solomon who made the difference at Oxford, converting the only goal of the game at the far post.
In fact, if it hadn’t been for the outstanding Joe Rodon – Tottenham loanee Solomon was left-awestruck by his imperious Leeds teammate – he surely would have had another Man of the Match award to add to his collection.
Tottenham fans want Manor Solomon back as he fires Leeds United to another win
During a season in which both Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven have been absent for long spells, the Championship’s stand-out centre-half probably would have come in handy for Tottenham.
Furthermore, as Heung-Min Son struggles to terrorise even Rasmus Kristensen these days, and with Wilson Odobert and Richarlison missing for months at a time, the feeling in North London is that Solomon’s silk, skill and scoring instinct might just have helped turn Ange Postecoglou’s tattooed-on frown upside down.
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The less said about Timo Werner, meanwhile, the better.
“Manor Solomon scoring again for Leeds. Would you be open to giving him another chance in pre season?”, one fan asks on social media, not without good reason.
“I don’t know why he left in the first place,” one responds. “[Solomon] would have been so useful during the injury crisis, and with rotation in general.”
“I wanted him to stay over getting Werner and got laughed at,” another points out, Solomon’s tally of nine goals and nine assists in a Leeds shirt perhaps proving his point.
“100 per cent yes [Solomon should come back]. He’s been class this season,” one argues.
“Yes, him and [now-Marseille midfielder Pierre-Emile] Hojbjerg were solid parts of our start last season. You need some kind of experience in tougher times like from November to February this season.”
“Yes [bring Solomom back]. He has not really had a chance.”
“Of course [he could have a role to play at Tottenham]. Not as a starter on the left, but he’d be a great option off the bench. He was quite good for us before he got injured so it’s not a big shock that he’s done well.”
Solomon is loving life at Leeds as promotion to the Premier League edges closer
Solomon always felt likely to resemble a big fish in a smaller pond. This is a footballer who dazzled at Fulham in the top-flight after all, while accumulating his fair share of stand-out Champions League performances at Shakhtar Donetsk.
Tottenham value Manor Solomon at around £15 million, though Spurs could be forgiven if they are having cold feet now with regards to a potential permanent departure.
The man himself, however, appears in no rush to return to the capital.
“We knew it would be difficult tonight and it really was,” Solomon says in the immediate aftermath of that Oxford triumph. “We struggled but we got the three points. This is the most important thing for us.
“The job is not done yet. We need to stay humble but I’m waiting for Monday already!
“I am enjoying it so much here, and I want to enjoy it until the end. I’m sure we are going to [secure promotion] but it’s not done yet. Lets bring on Monday!”