Wayne Rooney bagged a brace as Manchester United twice came from behind at White Hart Lane to hold Tottenham Hotspur. The hosts registered through Kyle Walker's free kick and a stunner from Sandro. This slow burning contest saw goalmouth action markedly absent early on. Aaron Lennon produced a tame effort off his weaker foot, so it trickled through to David De Gea for the hosts. Sandro then had to be on hand to block Rooney's effort after Vlad Chiriches cheaply ceded possession. Spurs went ahead on 18 minutes after surviving that Red Devils scare. Jonny Evans fouled Paulinho on the edge of the box and up stepped Tottenham right back Walker, who fired a low free kick under the wall and past De Gea. Spurs skipper Michael Dawson then saw a shot blocked by Rooney as he turned a right wing corner towards United's goal. Roberto Soldado spurned a glorious chance to double the hosts' lead. The Spanish striker set Paulinho away on the counter with a fine flick and got the ball back, but blazed over from a narrowing angle. Lennon then drew a low stop from De Gea at close range. David Moyes's men levelled after half an hour when Phil Jones pinched possession off Mousa Dembele. Walker could only slice the cross from his England colleague to Rooney, who fired beyond Hugo Lloris on the stretch. Rare scorer Sandro put Hotpsur ahead again eight minutes into the second half with a stunning 25-yard strike which curled into the top corner. This advantage didn't last as referee Mike Dean then gave United a penalty. Danny Welbeck latched onto Rooney's fine reverse pass and Lloris brought him down in the box. Red Devils talisman Rooney blasted down the middle to equalize within four minutes of Tottenham restoring their lead. Andre Villas-Boas looked to his bench to try and win it, throwing on Jermain Defoe and Andros Townsend. Walker almost found the Spurs winger on the break, but his cross just evaded Townsend. Moyes introduced Javier Hernandez, Nani and Ashley Young in attack, but instead spent the closing stages defending a succession of Hotspur set plays. Honours finished even. Both Tottenham and United continue to bring up the rear of the chasing pack behind Premier League leaders Arsenal. Rooney's double brought him level with the absent Robin van Persie as his team's top scorer with ten. Moyes now faces former club Everton.
Jamie Clark is a qualified Web Journalist after undergoing professional training at the University of Sheffield. A prolific and accredited sports writer, he also enjoys classic comedy, historic fiction, 80s music and heritage.
