Tottenham Hotspur went into Old Trafford with the mindset of doing the double on the Red Devils for the first time since 1989/90, but within three minutes of play, Tottenham had its work cut out for them.
Manchester United — using the high line from Tottenham to its advantage — had Marcus Rashford on the left receiving long balls and with the winger toying around with Pedro Porro all game long, he created the first opportunity with his dribbling.
Being well-defended after the initial touch, Spurs forced Rashford inside three defenders and as Destiny Udogie got a foot on the ball, the challenged ball ended up at the feet of Rasmus Højlund who belted just his second Premier League goal into the top left corner for an early 1-0 United lea.
Seeing as how the game would feel with Tottenham really dictating the pace of the contest and creating chances, it was in the 20th minute when Spurs found the equalizer.
Porro’s corner take directed into the six-yard box found a congested box of players fighting for position and it was Richarlison who lept over the crowd to fire the equalizer for his seventh goal of the Premier League season.
Setting the record for the most consecutive games with a goal since the turn of the century — 33 — Spurs were the ones looking to put more pressure on United since the opening chance.
But, it was United who scored just before the half as Rashford received the ball around the edge of the box with a pocket of space from Porro. Playing a quick one-two with Højlund, Rashford ran around Porro to slot his right-footed shot into the far corner past a diving Vicario.
Trailing 2-1 at the half and knowing the bench was fairly weak in attacking options, Spurs came out guns blazing in the first minute of the restart.
Oliver Skipp fired a long ball down the left wing for Timo Werner (who played very well at times in his debut for Spurs) and the German took his time to cut inside the box and found a streaking Rodrigo Bentancur making a darting run in the middle of the box. Receiving the pass and being unmarked all the way through his two-touch control, Bentancur fired a left-footed shot past Andre Onana to level the game a minute into the half.
From then on, moments came for both sides as the defensive lines played their parts to keep the attacks at bay. But it was proven throughout the game that Spurs were going for the win.
Unable to get a winner — and seeing McTominay firing a wide-open header wide of the net in the final minute of the contest — Spurs proved to be the better side all night long.
Notes:
- The center-back partnership of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven is back and it is a joy to watch the two get Spurs out of trouble in pivotal moments
- Destiny Udogie had his way with Alejandro Garnacho all game long as the two battled with the pace down the right flank.
- With a depleted midfield, the trio of Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, Bentancur, and Skipp played their best knowing the situation of no creativity on the pitch or on the bench. All three had strong chances and even better moments to track back and defend in dire need when United countered
- Brennan Johnson struggled against a strong fullback defender in Aaron Wan-Bissaka but it was Werner who provided great moments in his debut. The finishing touch is still missing but knowing the creation he can create for Richarlison now, imagine what it will be like when Son comes back
- Richarlison continues to prove the doubters wrong as the in-form striker scored his seventh goal of the season. Not only that, it is the pressing and ability to win fouls for his team that proves the Brazilian to always be in favor with Ange
Spurs next game is the Fourth round of the FA Cup as they welcome in the treble winners of Manchester City on Friday.