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McKenna hails landmark victory for Ipswich at Tottenham
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LONDON, Nov 10 (Reuters) - Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna described his side's shock 2-1 triumph at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday as a landmark victory in the club's history.
Goals by Sammie Szmodics and Liam Delap earned promoted Ipswich their first Premier League win for 22 years and lifted them out of the relegation zone.
"I'm not going to shy away from it, it's a really significant moment and a day to cherish in the recent history of the football club," McKenna, who masterminded back-to-back promotions to lead the so-called Tractor Boys back to the top flight, told reporters.
"Look at the journey the club's been on the last 22 years, the ups and downs, some of the depths, I think for the supporters to see their club win in the Premier League at a fantastic club like Tottenham, against a team like that, in a stadium like this, is a massive day for them."
Ipswich have impressed this season with the style of their football but were the only team in the Premier League not to have won a game heading into the game at Tottenham.
But they took a 2-0 lead and although Rodrigo Bentancur pulled one back for the hosts, they hung on.
"For those of us who have been on the journey for the last couple of years it's a really significant day as well," McKenna said. "From where the club has come from, competing in the first few Premier League games was a big step, but now of course, making that next step and winning a game, is a really, really significant landmark in the journey.
"As we've said many times, it's a relatively new group coming together, trying to adjust to the demands of the Premier League and, for many, to a new club as well. So it's a really significant step for them."
Heading into the international break, Ipswich have eight points from 11 games and are in 17th position.
Musician Ed Sheeran, the club's best-known fan and who played a role in the design of the pink kit the club wore on Sunday, shared the joy of the team as he popped into the dressing room after the final whistle.
"He congratulated the boys. It was nice to see him. We had his designed (pink third) kit on today, so maybe that brought us a little bit of luck!" McKenna, a former Tottenham youth team player and who began his coaching career there, said.
"We'll have a few days off now and we'll then have a nice long run in to another brilliant game after the break."
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As bad as it gets, says Postecoglou, after Tottenham surrender
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BRIGHTON, Oct 6 (Reuters) - Tottenham Hotspur's second-half capitulation to lose 3-2 at Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League was as bad as it gets, dumbfounded manager Ange Postecoglou said on Sunday.
Spurs were 2-0 ahead and cruising with first-half goals by Brennan Johnson and James Maddison putting them on course for a sixth successive win in all competitions.
But they crumbled after the break as goals by Yankuba Minteh, Georginio Rutter and Danny Welbeck turned the game on its head to leave Tottenham empty-handed.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Postecoglou said his players were guilty of complacency in the second half.
"Disappointing. Frustrated and absolutely gutted with that. Worst defeat since I've been here," the Australian said.
"Unacceptable second half. Nowhere near where we should be. We got carried away with how we were going. We kind of accepted our fate and it is hard to understand as we've not done that while I've been here. We paid the price.
"The problem is we are travelling along too smoothly, football and life will trip you up if you get too far ahead of yourself. It is a terrible loss for us -- as bad as it gets."
Tottenham would have moved to the fringe of the top four had they won the game but instead go in to the international break in ninth place with 10 points from their seven matches.
Brighton are up to sixth, two points better off.
"They all go on international duty, the majority of them. They will process it individually and I will process it when everyone gets back," Postecoglou said.
After five league games without a win, Brighton's second-half display sent their fans into raptures.
"My team deserved to win, they worked hard and focused on the things they could control," Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler said. "I think Tottenham always have a great start. They play with intensity and we were not ready for that.
"We also created chances but defensively we have to improve. We focused on the positive things, the second important thing was to win the duels to build self-confidence. The players worked hard to gain flow and they used it."
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