Match Report - United 3-1 Tottenham Hotspur

Competition: Barclays Premier League
Kick-Off & Date: 12:45pm, Saturday 24th April
Venue: Old Trafford (Home)
Attendance: 75,268


United put some pressure back on Chelsea in the Premier League Title Race, with a solid 3-1 victory at The Theatre Of Dreams. Ryan Giggs scored his first-ever League penalty from his first-ever attempt, as Wayne Rooney watched from the stands, again. But hearts sank as Ledley King equalised with a header from a terribly defended corner - however Sir Alex made some changes, and the changes duly paid dividends...

As substitute Kiko Macheda layed-off Luis Nani to score one of his best finishes, cheekily chipping Heurelho Gomes with less than 10 minutes to go to put The Reds temporarily back on top of the table. But the game didn't end without incident, when Nani went down in the box, only for Giggsy to earn his spot-kick brace.

Rooney picked-up a groin problem on Thursday in training, as Rio Ferdinand was once again left out of the back four with a leg injury linked to his recent back troubles. Owen Hargreaves received a place on the bench, alongside John O'Shea, both return from injury.

Spurs created little chances from a big share of possession in the early stages, as United slowly grasped hold of the game. Berbatov missed three headers and a pure sitter with half an hour gone, but despite the poor finishing - things looked promising for Sir Alex's men.

After the interval, United took off from where they had left it in the first half - attacking again, and again. At last Berba looked set to score after shrugging off three challenges, but instead back-heeled to Patrice Evra inside the box - Evra then fell victim to a poorly timed Benoit Assou-Ekotto tackle, United had a penalty. Giggs stepped-up, in place of Wazza, and coolly slotted home to the left of the goal.    

In all fairness to Spurs, they didn't give-up. And with Giggs scoring the spot kick early in the second half (on 58 minutes), they had plenty of time left. They were awarded a corner, and from the Gareth Bale set piece - they levelled. King rose above Michael Carrick and headed to the right corner - it still remains a mystery how Rafael Da Silva did not clear his lines !

But either way, Spurs had equalised...   

Sir Alex responded a few minutes later, bringing on super-sub Macheda for right back Rafael. To be quite honest, I said 'WTF'. But you can never, ever doubt Fergie. Darren Fletcher moved into defence, as Kiko went up-front. Immediately the Italian made an impact, setting-up Nani in on-goal, as he dinked the ball over Gomes to send The Reds back on top of the League !

However despite the glory, there were signs of sickness in the camp. Evra had thrown-up earlier, and subsequently subbed, as Nani fell to the floor crutching his stomach with minutes to go...   

Nani wasn't finished there though, as he raced forward and into the box where Wilson Palacios hauled the winger down to give The Reds a chance to increase their goal difference, which may still prove vital. Giggs stepped-up and scored again, this time to the right - Gomes had guessed correctly twice but the shots were unstoppable...

The game put United ahead of Chelsea by two points, and brought the goal difference down to a single goal on Saturday afternoon. But The Reds were knocked back into second by The Blues, who hammered Stoke City 7-0 on Sunday - also getting rid of the goal difference...