Tottenham Hotspur set a unique and unwanted Premier League record in their 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Brighton & Hove Albion in their last game of the season.
The Lilywhites had nothing but pride resting on their final game of the campaign and were perhaps still in party mode after their momentous Europa League final success over Manchester United in the week.
Nevertheless, Ange Postecoglou still fielded a relatively strong team at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where Dominic Solanke led the line and opened the scoring with an exemplary spot kick.
However, the Lilywhites were undone from corners twice in the first half, as Jack Hinshelwood levelled matters for the Seagulls before a carbon copy of that set-piece episode ended with the 20-year-old back-heeling a second into the net.
Fabian Hurzeler's men continued to control proceedings after the second half got underway, and they made absolutely sure of the win in the dying embers, as Matt O'Riley stroked home his own spot kick before Diego Gomez added more gloss to the scoreline.
Tottenham suffer 22nd defeat of Premier League season
© Imago
Brighton condemned Tottenham to an embarrassing 22nd defeat of the Premier League season on Sunday, the most one side has ever suffered in a campaign in the competition without being relegated.
Spurs' heavy defeat also meant that the Lilywhites would end up in a miserable 17th place in the top-flight table, although they could not have risen any higher anyway, as West Ham United and Manchester United won while Wolverhampton Wanderers avoided losing on Sunday.
Regardless, the glitz and glamour of the Champions League awaits Tottenham next season thanks to their Europa League success, but whether Postecoglou leads them out to the anthem is yet to be decided.
The Australian is not expected to walk away from his job and suggested that he would stay during Spurs' victory parade, proclaiming that "season three is better than season two" in all the best television series.
Postecoglou is still under contract at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium until 2027, and the ex-Celtic boss admitted that he was puzzled about having to discuss his job prospects after ending Spurs' 17-year trophy drought.
Postecoglou finding it "really weird" to discuss Tottenham future
© Imago
"I'll be honest. I've been finding it really weird talking about my future when we've done something unprecedented," Postecoglou said in his post-match press conference, as quoted by football.london.
"I've got to answer the questions because nobody else is in a position to do so. Part of me is thinking why am I even being asked the question.
"I've got no doubt though that this could be a really defining moment for this club. Wherever I've been I've made an impact for a club after they haven't tasted it for a while and they push on, even after I've gone."
Andoni Iraola, Roberto De Zerbi, Marco Silva and Thomas Frank have all been mentioned as possible successors to Postecoglou at Tottenham, but there is currently no indication which way Daniel Levy is leaning.
Furthermore, Silva confirmed after his side's defeat to Manchester City that he would be staying at Craven Cottage next season, ruling Spurs out of the running for his services.
Ben Knapton
