Spurs against United would once have been a key clash in the race for the top four, but this weekend’s encounter was about two injury-stricken and underperforming sides rescuing whatever pride either could from their dismal seasons.
In the end, James Maddison’s early strike proved the difference in a tight encounter at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Alejandro Garnacho missed a golden chance to equalise in the first half and with no experienced attackers to call on, Ruben Amorim’s side fell to 15th in the Premier League table.
As it happened
Spurs brightly, with Son Heung-min and Djed Spence dominating the left side. However, the absence of Dominic Solanke – one of Postecoglou’s many injured players – meant their crosses into the box were often in vain. Rasmus Højlund and Alejandro Garnacho’s shots were the best early chances, but returning Spurs keeper Guglielmo Vicario stayed sharp to deny them.
Ruben Amorim’s side had a funeral feel about them even before kickoff, given the news of a season-ending injury to Amad Diallo and further problems for Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte, and Toby Collyer. Maddison added to their misery in the 13th minute when Andre Onana parried Lucas Bergvall’s original effort, but Maddison swept in unmarked to tap in the rebound.
Embed from Getty ImagesTottenham continued to dominate possession but failed to get many shots off, giving United an opportunity to get back into the game. Garnacho wasted a brilliant chance to equalise when slid through on goal and skied the ball over the bar with very little pressure on him. United started to up their pace but were mostly reduced to counter attacks.
Tottenham had sprung into life. A brilliant Madison ball found Son who squared for Mathys Tel, but Onana did well to save his effort. Ruben Amorim’s side looked unbalanced and unable to play through the thirds, but had zero attackers with Premier League experience on the bench. The game petered out for the rest of the half. The Red Devils initially struggled to get going after the restart, with their first shot being offside – but Tel blazing a shot over the bar after a great run from Djed Spence seemed to wake them up.
Embed from Getty ImagesGarnacho caused some concern for the hosts, forcing two more saves from Vicario. However, Spurs continued to get players forward and win corners. They also introducedBrennan Johnson to give their attack more bite, while Amorim was clearly uncomfortable calling on his youthful bench. The game became end-to-end, with Zirkzee heading wide and Casemiro having a penalty call waved away – immediately before Tottenham hit them on the break and Onana had to keep out Tel’s shot. Though it was an entertaining end to the match, both teams lacked a killer instinct – as has been the case for some time. United looked out of ideas and Amorim was clearly reluctant to risk his youthful substitutes, with Chido Obi’s introduction in added time their only change.
Spurs completed the double over Manchester United for the first time in over three decadesFor them this could be a turning point, but United’s struggles just go on and on- their players looking utterly dejected as they left the pitch.
The lineups
TOT: Vicario; Spence, Davies, Danso, Porro; Maddison, Bentancur, Bergvall; Son, Tel, Kulusevski
MUN: Onana; De Ligt, Maguire, Mazraoui; Dorgu, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dalot; Garnacho, Højlund, Zirkzee.
