Tottenham Hotspur started this season with a win at St. James’ Park, beating Newcastle United 2-0. This was followed by a 2-1 loss to Chelsea and a 1-1 draw with Burnley both at Wembley Stadium. Tottenham have not looked comfortable playing at Wembley - the temporary move is to enable the completion of the new stadium at White Hart Lane. The only exemption was their last Premier League match with Liverpool which they won by 4-1. This was followed by 2-3 loss to West Ham in the Carabao Cup after leading by two goals.
Manchester United and Tottenham start well
Tottenham has played better away and is behind Manchester City and United in the third position. Tottenham and Manchester United are both on 20 points - United with a superior goal difference. Manchester United started the season well, taking 13 out of 15 points in their first five matches this season. However, a barren draw away at Liverpool and a 2-1 loss at Huddersfield in their last two matches have raised eyebrows. Unlike Tottenham, Manchester United has played better at home and hasn’t lost a match at home this season. Manchester United and Tottenham have played nine matches in the league, with six wins, two draws and a loss. United has scored 22 goals and conceded 4 while Tottenham has scored 19 and conceded 6; United edges Tottenham with a difference of 18 to 13 goals.
Manchester United hosted Tottenham at Old Trafford; United is undefeated at home while Tottenham was undefeated away. Both teams were missing key players especially Tottenham. Harry Kane was a significant loss for Spurs and Pogba for United. Manchester United was boosted by the return of Eric Bailly from injury after missing four matches.
Phil Jones also returned after being forced off at John Smith’s Stadium in the loss against Huddersfield.
The first half
The visitors got an early scare at the second minute with a run from Lukaku on the left flank which was intercepted by the keeper. Manchester United had a positive start with Ashley Young cutting into the box from the left but failing to locate anyone in the box.
Spur’s applied some pressure from the fifteenth minute. The First half was evenly fought with some hard tackles from both teams, the visitors had a bit more possession but were unable make contact in the box. They could only manage some wayward shots by Aurier and Sissoko and a freekick from Rashford parried by Lloris. Tottenham was definitely missing their top striker Harry Kane with no one to apply that killing touch.
Martial decides the outcome
The second half was eventful; with Tottenham coming close on a number of occasions. Spurs had registered 4 shots on target against Manchester United’s 2 at the middle of the second half. Dele Alli came close in the 76th minute after a dink from Eriksen but his touch was just off the target.
Two minutes later Lingard’s cross locates Lukaku who hit the sidebar. But it was Anthony Martial who came on for Marcus Rashford that converted a tantalising cross in the 82nd minute.
Manchester United did not look particularly sharp upfront but Jose Mourinho remains unbeaten at home. Manchester United play Benfica on October 31 in the Champions League and Chelsea November 5 at Stamford Bridge. Tottenham plays Real Madrid on the 1st and Crystal Palace on November 5. United and Spurs remain second and third respectively with 23 and 20 points in the League.
