PREMIER LEAGUE
SUNDAY 16TH FEBRUARY, 2025
(4.30PM)
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1(1) MANCHESTER UNITED 0(0)

Scorer:-
Maddison, 13

Attendance:- 61,383

Referee:- Peter Bankes
Assistants:- Eddie Smart, Nick Greenhalgh
Fourth official:- Michael Salisbury
VAR:- Paul Tierney
Assistant VAR:- Gary Beswick

Teams:-
Spurs (4-2-1-3):- 1. Vicario; 23. Pedro Porro, 4. Danso (sub 14. Gray, 78), 33. Davies, 24. Spence; 15. Bergvall (sub 29. Sarr, 64), 30. Bentancur (sub 8. Bissouma, 78); 10. Maddison (sub 22. Johnson, 64); 21. Kulusevski, 11. Tel, 7. Son (Capt.) (sub 28. Odobert, 87)
(Armband to Vicario)

Subs not used:- 31. Kinsky; 13. Udogie; 47. Moore; 44. Scarlett

Booked:- Davies (foul on Hojlund)

Manchester United (3-4-3):- 24. Onana; 3. Mazraoui, 5. Maguire, 4. De Ligt; 20. Dalot, 8. Fernandes (Capt.), 18. Casemiro (sub 56. Obi-Martin, 90+1), 13. Dorgu; 11. Zirkzee, 9. Hojlund, 17. Garnacho

Subs not used:- 50. Harrison (GK); 2. Lindelof, 41. Amass, 55. Fredricson; 26. Heaven, 42. Kone, 57. Fletcher, 64. Moorhouse

Booked:- Casemiro (foul on Son), Dorgu (foul on Pedro Porro)

Spurs win desperation stakes

Spurs beat Ruben Amorim's Manchester United to climb above their opponents and into their highest league position (12th) since the New Year. James Maddison scored the only goal of the game, demonstrating the benefit of options regarding selection which were held by Ange Postecoglou, who had five players available after injury.

The Spurs starting line-up was not quite as exciting as perhaps we had hoped with goalkeeper Vicario the only other returnee to start. Vicario proved his worth with a string of good saves in his first start since we beat Man City in November. Brennan Johnson and Wilson Odobert were seen in the second half.

Kevin Danso and Mathys Tel made their home debuts. It was a Premier League debut for Tel and a Spurs league debut for Danso, who previously played for Southampton in 2019). Djed Spence retained his place at left back and was the Spurs man of the match with good defence and great skill, coupled with pace up and down the line. Archie Gray was given a well deserved rest, although he did replace Danso late in the game. Destiny Udogie was back but remained on the bench.

The pre-match headlines were all about United's "injury crisis." We know all about that of course! Amorim lost Amad Diallo this week and other absentees include Martinez, Jonny Evans, Luke Shaw, big-money signing Leny Yoro, Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte. Poor Amorim had to field eight untried youngsters on the bench with Lindelof the only experienced player in that location.

The game was open and quite entertaining because it was end-to-end with few stoppages. Referee Peter Bankes played his part in seeking to let the game flow. However, this was not a high quality game. In rugby terms, there were far too many turn-overs with regard to possession.

In United's case, profligacy was an issue. Garnacho had a glaring first half miss and Zirkzee should have done better with a second half header.

The game was played against the backdrop of well-supported anti-Levy protests pre- and post-match. Volume levels were very high in the stadium before kick-off to quell any sound of dissention outside the South Stand. I heard one round of "We want Levy out" early in the game, but thereafter the home crowd truly got behind their team.

Spurs kicked off and played towards the North Stand. James Maddison was fouled by De Ligt, but nothing came of the free kick. Spence excited the crowd with an early run but his cross went out of play beyond the far post. Son chased a long ball by Ben Davies, but Onana was always going to reach the ball first.

United had the best early chances. Vicario parried a shot by Hojlund from the right of goal and then dived to push away Garnacho's follow-up from the left of the area. Finally, Ben Davies booted clear Dalot's effort from the right.

Soon after this action, Spurs took the lead. Pedro Porro and Bentancur combined on the right flank. Bentancur hit a deep cross which was returned to the back of the area by Son. The lively Bergvall turned and hit a good left-footed shot which Onana could only parry - to the feet of a delighted James Maddison who scored from close range. Maddison's celebration included a "Shush" riposte to recent criticism by Roy Keane I understand. This was Maddison's ninth league goal of the season, and he is our top league scorer.

After a Spence cross, Tel teed up Kulusevski, but he was closed down by Harry Maguire. Zirkzee hit a right-footed shot wide across the goal at the other end. Spurs are still guilty of poor playing out at times and after one such incident Garnacho skied his shot after being set up by Fernandes. It was a poor effort.

Son disappointed after Bergvall brought the ball out of defence and delivered a good pass. Soon after that Son delivered a good pass to Tel, whose shot forced a diving save from Onana and a corner. Bergvall had a header on target after another corner, but the referee spotted an infringement.

Casemiro (making his first start since December) was shown the first (of few) yellow cards for a foul on Son. Mr. Bankes also had "words" with Mazraoui when he halted a Spence advance unfairly.

There were no changes to personnel at the break, and United kicked off. Danso was up after an early corner, and following Pedro Porro's cross, he hit a shot on target, but one which was comfortable for Onana. Tel had our next chance after great work by Spence down the left wing before a cross which Tel hit too high.

Vicario made saves from Hojlund and Garnacho from the right and left of goal. Maddison found Tel with a good pass and Tel's shot was deflected wide for a corner. Son also had a shot deflected wide after the corner.

Postecoglou's first changes were Johnson for Maddison and Sarr for Bergvall. Kulusevski reverted to the centre of midfield. Johnson soon won us a corner and a free kick. Spence tried a shot from distance, which was comfortably held by the keeper.

Son had an inswinging corner land on the net before Zirkzee had that headed chance after a Fernandes cross. The ball was glanced wide across the goal. Vicario had to save from Hojlund after another poor play-out. Kulusevski sent Johnson away at the other end and his cross was returned by Son to Tel, who had another shot held.

It was time for more fresh legs for Spurs with Gray on for Danso and Bissouma for Bentancur. Kulusevski had a shot saved after an exchange with Son. Spurs' final change was to give Odobert his first action since October when he replaced the captain. Odobert had one or two exciting moments down the left wing.

Vicario had one more save to make, reaching high to hold a Casemiro header following a corner. Amorim's one substitution was made in added time with Obi-Martin given the briefest of debuts in place of Casemiro.

Spurs have beaten United for the third time this season, winning a league double - both for the first time since the 1989-90 season. This was our first home league win since 3rd November (over Aston Villa). We have won back-to-back league games for the first time since September. Our victims then were also Brentford and United! We have six days off now before travelling to lowly Ipswich next Saturday.

As for United, they've lost 12 of their first 25 games for the first since 1973-74, when they were relegated! They've also lost 8 of their first 12 league games under the former Sporting coach. Naturally, the media will now focus on 15th place United.

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