Tottenham Hotspur 1-3 Manchester United - Match Report
Despite being having less of the game for long periods, Manchester United continued their brilliant record at White Hart Lane by recording a comfortable (on paper anyway) 3-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur.
Despite being having less of the game for long periods, Manchester United continued their brilliant record at White Hart Lane by recording a comfortable (on paper anyway) 3-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur. A goal from Wayne Rooney on the stroke of half time gave the Red Devils the lead which was expanded upon in the second half thanks to two brilliant goals from Ashley Young. Jermaine Defoe got one back for the hosts late on, but it was ultimately a consolation. Amidst the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas earlier in the day, a shambles of a game in the North between Newcastle United and Sunderland with two red cards and some touchline shenanigans between the two managers, and Pavel Pogrebnyak scoring his 3rd, 4th and 5th goals in just three games as Fulham slaughtered Wolves 5-0, you might have thought that this Sunday of football was bursting to the seams as it was. But no, Tottenham Hotspur versus Manchester United on top of all that! Manchester City dont look like theyre going to slip up on too many occasions from here to the end of the season, so United need points. Although theyve been battling away to make up ground on their illustrious neighbours, an tight injury time win over Norwich City, a home loss to Ajax (admittedly they won on aggregate) and a 3-3 draw with Chelsea (although they were 3-0 down) hardly makes for convincing viewing for Sir Alex Ferguson. Yes theyd been winning, but put simply, they didnt look as good as City. Tottenham needed to bounce back desperately. A convincing 5-2 defeat at the hands of Robin van Persie FC (AKA Arsenal), and Harry Redknapps sides 3rd place finish wasnt looking quite so comfortable as once it was, with Arsene Wengers men breathing down their neck a mere four points adrift at the start of the day. What made things worse for Arry though, was that just as Englands most successful club roll into town, he found himself with Gareth Bale ill, Rafael van der Vaart unfit and Scott Parker serving a suspension. So Wayne Rooney and Ashley Young returned to Uniteds 4-4-2 line-up with last weekends late hero Ryan Giggs dropping to the bench in favour of Michael Carrick. Bad news as mentioned for Spurs though. Jake Livermore, Sandro and Aaron Lennon replaced the aforementioned absentees. Hardly undesirable replacements, but when youre up against Manchester United you want everyone available. Both teams started the game with a fair amount of brightness and determination, but for all their sprinting around like mad men and stringing together of quick passing moves, there wasnt really a great deal going on but for a collision between Phil Jones and Benoit Assou-Ekotto. The first effort on goal was a weak, trickling effort from Louis Saha that was scooped up with ease by David de Gea. After a fantastic performance against Norwich last Sunday, United would no doubt be hoping for a repeat master class from the young Spaniard. A better effort from Sahas strike partner Emmanuel Adebayor, he let fly from just outside the area but his well struck effort was always rising. An adventurous start from the home side. Paul Scholes was then brought down by a tough sliding challenge by Sandro. He didnt seem happy. Not that hes one to talk... Bit of penalty area pinball as Manchester United were unable to clear Lennons low cross. Adebayor and Saha couldnt take possession though and it was eventually cleared by the visitors. Half an hour in and United hadnt managed to make many inroads into the game. Thats not to say Spurs had dominated the opening stages, but they had certainly started as the better team. Phil Jones picked up a yellow for bringing down Louis Saha on the edge of the visitors area. Younes Kaboul stepped up to smash it at the wall as usual. As it happens though he fired past the wall... So obviously it went wide. Wayne Rooneys first contribution was to beat his marker to connect with Ashley Youngs low corner. He directed it goalwards but it was a pretty easy save for Brad Friedel. First big bit of drama. Spurs had a goal ruled out after Aaron Lennon had broken down the left, crossed low to Louis Saha who shot towards goal from just outside the six yard box. Unfortunately his strike partner Adebayor was there to block it on the line. He then back heeled it into the roof of the net, but was adjudged to have used his hand by referee Martin Atkinson. A lucky escape for the Red Devils it did look a handball though. GOAL: Out of nowhere Manchester United took the lead on the stroke of half time. Wayne Rooneys earlier effort on goal proved proleptic as he once again connected with Ashley Youngs corner, beating Kyle Walker for strength in the process, and headed it beyond the stranded Brad Friedel. Boos rang out around White Hart Lane as the sides retired to the changing rooms. It was actually a very weak corner to concede, the ball dipped towards Friedels goal and the veteran keeper made sure by tipping it onto the roof of the net, but it didnt look all that dangerous. So 1-1 at half time. A little undeserved from United I guess, but its not as though Spurs had created all that much either. They say champions need to win despite not playing well though... HALF TIME The last time Manchester United had scored first and lost was over a year ago. Harry Redknapp had his work cut out for the half time team talk. No changes for either side however, Spurs didnt really need to change anything despite being behind, and any changes Fergie had planned on making could be postponed thanks to Rooneys goal. David de Gea made a fantastic save to deny Jake Livermores shot which took a nick off Louis Saha on its way through. The Spaniard was down like a flash to parry, he couldnt get it away from the danger area, but Rio Ferdinand was there to clear. Great save. Benoit Assou-Ekotto came close from a free kick for Spurs. They seem to love their strange decisions in regards to set piece takers. The Cameroonian defender did a lot better than Kaboul though, he curled it over the wall and towards the top corner, but it came off the top of the bar. De Gea probably had it covered, but you never know with him... GOAL: United then made it two, again against the run of the game. Nani found space for himself and received it from a Phil Jones quick throw in. He ran away down the right and crossed it low. Kyle Walkers clearance was nothing short of diabolical, managing to lift it pathetically into the air rather than getting it away. Take nothing away from Ashley Young though; as the ball dropped he hit it on the volley, across goal and into the far corner from a very tight angle. A quite ridiculous finish from the winger. GOAL: Stupidly good finish by Ashley Young again. True, he was not closed down, but around 25 yards out he opened his body up, and curled it beyond the despairing fingertips of former Villa team-mate Brad Friedel. How Tottenham were trailing by three goals was anyones guess, theyd been the better team for much of it. Aaron Lennon, Spurs best performer of the game had a pretty woeful effort in a vain attempt to get Tottenham back into the game. In a similar situation to Young moments before he lashed at his shot and it cleared the crossbar by a good few yards. United were starting to control the game. As mentioned, Spurs hadnt been bad by any stretch, but three goals had deflated them somewhat and the football suffered as a result with the visitors obviously happy with a 3-0 win and the hosts unable to throw much else at them. GOAL: They were unable to prevent Jermaine Defoe getting a consolation. Ryan Giggs poor pass was cut out by the nippy poacher, who ran through and placed it beyond the stranded de Gea from the edge of the area. So that was it for this outing, and probably for Tottenhams title challenge as well. Theyd been taught a lesson by United only goals and not chances are what will win you games, though had Adebayor not controlled Sahas shot with his hand it may have been completely different. Referee: Martin Atkinson Tottenham Hotspur (4-4-2): Friedel, Walker, Kaboul, King, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon (Rose, 85), Sandro (Kranjcar, 80), Livermore, Modric, Adebayor, Saha (Defoe, 80) Manchester United (4-4-2): De Gea, Jones, Evans, Ferdinand, Evra, Nani (Park, 80), Carrick, Scholes (Giggs, 61), Young, Welbeck, Rooney