Tottenham 1 - 1 Man Utd on ManUtd.com
Tottenham 1 - 1 Man Utd on Soccernet.com
In a very tough game for the champions, Man Utd stole the points after a superb performance from Spurs. It was again Spurs who scored first (after the FA Cup loss to the champions last week) only to be denied a deserved victory in injury time which came from the champions only real chance of the match.
Having known that Arsenal had regained top spot after their marvellous 3-1 win against Man City earlier in the day, Man Utd only needed a 1-0 win to reclaim leadership on goal difference.
Yet, they seemed in awe of the occasion perhaps in part due to the tough game handed to them at Old Trafford last week. Spurs did not disappoint and were a real menace. Berbatov game them the lead after only 20 minutes. But later, Robbie Keane tamely shot at Van Der Sar after a brilliant carved out chance split open United's defence. That proved to be a fortunate escape from Man Utd as it will have been an uphill task to come from 2-0 down.
Despite that Keane miss, Man Utd did not really make the most of it. Giggs was having an awful game misplacing certain key passes in the first half, Ronaldo was marked out by Chimbonda, playing at left back, on the right flank, as well as by debutant Alan Hutton, Chimbonda's previous position, on the left flank. Another significant signing, Jon Woodgate, also seemed to have brought calmness to the defence and due to that, Tevez and Rooney failed to make any real headway. In fact, Rooney and Tevez were seldom in the game.
The first half ended 1-0 and it was still just about the same story in the 2nd, though Spurs seemed content to let Man Utd take control of the ball now. Despite that, the defence and midfield really pressed Man Utd well ensuring United did not get any significant shot on goal till Anderson, replacement for Scholes, tested Cerny though it was an easy save. Nani also eventually replaced Giggs and though it was a refreshing substitution, Man Utd were simply outplayed.
At the last, though, Man Utd came good and from a Nani corner, Tevez were left unmarked to tap the ball home at the near post. It was rather disturbing to see, yet not surprising, as the Spurs had, I felt, decided to stop playing when that goal came thinking that Man Utd will not be able to carve a chance out of it.
Disappointingly, Man Utd had 7 players booked including Rooney and he will missed next week massive local derby against Man City. Even more disturbing was that Man Utd failed to break down a well-organised side even with the array of talent at their disposal. If there was one key element, and I have attacked it all season, was probably the right-back position where Wes Brown again failed to add anything useful. I am just hoping for Gary Neville to make his comeback.
All credits to Juande Ramos for again impressing me with another display of football. He has drilled tactical discipline and plugged in gaps at the right places. However, Spurs will do well to try not to step off the gas because that was what they did against Man Utd in the 2nd half. Apparently, they had done the same against other teams that include Arsenal.
Tottenham 1 - 1 Man Utd on Soccernet.com
In a very tough game for the champions, Man Utd stole the points after a superb performance from Spurs. It was again Spurs who scored first (after the FA Cup loss to the champions last week) only to be denied a deserved victory in injury time which came from the champions only real chance of the match.
Having known that Arsenal had regained top spot after their marvellous 3-1 win against Man City earlier in the day, Man Utd only needed a 1-0 win to reclaim leadership on goal difference.
Yet, they seemed in awe of the occasion perhaps in part due to the tough game handed to them at Old Trafford last week. Spurs did not disappoint and were a real menace. Berbatov game them the lead after only 20 minutes. But later, Robbie Keane tamely shot at Van Der Sar after a brilliant carved out chance split open United's defence. That proved to be a fortunate escape from Man Utd as it will have been an uphill task to come from 2-0 down.
Despite that Keane miss, Man Utd did not really make the most of it. Giggs was having an awful game misplacing certain key passes in the first half, Ronaldo was marked out by Chimbonda, playing at left back, on the right flank, as well as by debutant Alan Hutton, Chimbonda's previous position, on the left flank. Another significant signing, Jon Woodgate, also seemed to have brought calmness to the defence and due to that, Tevez and Rooney failed to make any real headway. In fact, Rooney and Tevez were seldom in the game.
The first half ended 1-0 and it was still just about the same story in the 2nd, though Spurs seemed content to let Man Utd take control of the ball now. Despite that, the defence and midfield really pressed Man Utd well ensuring United did not get any significant shot on goal till Anderson, replacement for Scholes, tested Cerny though it was an easy save. Nani also eventually replaced Giggs and though it was a refreshing substitution, Man Utd were simply outplayed.
At the last, though, Man Utd came good and from a Nani corner, Tevez were left unmarked to tap the ball home at the near post. It was rather disturbing to see, yet not surprising, as the Spurs had, I felt, decided to stop playing when that goal came thinking that Man Utd will not be able to carve a chance out of it.
Disappointingly, Man Utd had 7 players booked including Rooney and he will missed next week massive local derby against Man City. Even more disturbing was that Man Utd failed to break down a well-organised side even with the array of talent at their disposal. If there was one key element, and I have attacked it all season, was probably the right-back position where Wes Brown again failed to add anything useful. I am just hoping for Gary Neville to make his comeback.
All credits to Juande Ramos for again impressing me with another display of football. He has drilled tactical discipline and plugged in gaps at the right places. However, Spurs will do well to try not to step off the gas because that was what they did against Man Utd in the 2nd half. Apparently, they had done the same against other teams that include Arsenal.
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