United Latest

Match Report – Manchester United 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur

Competition: Premier League
Kick-Off & Date: 5:30pm, Saturday 30th October
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester (Home)
Attendance: 75,223


Manchester United’s 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur at The Theatre Of Dreams was overshadowed by controversy when Luis Nani grabbed a second, freaky goal. Nemanja Vidic put The Reds in front against Harry Redknapp’s side, thanks to a Nani free-kick. It took United another hour before a second goal was found, 5 minutes from time as Nani took advantage of Heurelho Gomes’ stupidity. 

Nani went down in the box, but a blatantly obvious penalty was not given by referee Mark Clattenburg. As the Portuguese winger was felled, he stopped the ball rolling with his hand – neither official saw the hand ball, and Gomes’ prepared to take a free-kick that never was – Nani hopped up and slotted in his 5th goal of the season.

Dimitar Berbatov was partnered with the in-form Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez, while on-fire Tottenham winger Gareth Bale was marked by young Brazilian Rafael Da Silva. 

Within minutes, Ji-Sung Park was unlucky not to have found the net when his blistering strike smacked the left hand post with Gomes well beaten. Spurs recovered from the early scare with Rafael Van Der Vaart hitting Edwin Van Der Sar’s left hand post at the opposite side of the pitch.

Rafael kept Bale quite for the first half an hour, before the Welshman nearly scored when the ball had looked well over the line, with Rafael fooled. After some less exciting spells of play, The Reds had a free-kick in a dangerous position after Chicharito was fouled. 

Nani’s beautiful in-swinging free kick was converted into the goal with a trademark Nemanja Vidic header. United’s captain was to thank once again, as he claimed his 15th goal in six seasons… impressive for a centre back !

Despite the blow to Tottenham, they could have tied the game going into half time as Luca Modric hit a top-corner-bound screamer, only to be fantastically punched away by Van Der Sar, who turned 40 last Friday. Still as strong as ever.

Former Spurs striker Berbatov had a few efforts before the break, but the former Bulgarian International captain didn’t have his best day at the office. There were no changes to either side at half-time, as United fans were in full ‘Anti-Glazer’ voice.

Chicharito was very unlucky not to have added to his fantastic goalscoring record in recent matches, as Park played him through for a glorious chance… but the red-hot Mexican fired just wide. Meanwhile, United were threatened by both Bale and Roman Pavlyuchenko – but the defence withstood the danger.

Sir Alex Ferguson then drafted-in Wes Brown and Paul Scholes, replacing Rafa and Berba… 15 minutes later, after a rare drab spell in play – Nani found the ever illusive second goal, in controversial circumstances.

The winger was clearly fouled in the penalty area, but ref. Clattenburg failed to award a spot kick much to the discontent of United players and fans. On his way down, Nani stopped the ball with his hands – in preparation to pick it up for the penalty, which wasn’t given ! – Gomes then took the ball, and walked 18 yards forward to take a free kick for Nani’s handball – which wasn’t given !

Nani was then urged on the his fellow teammates to play-on, and so he did – slotting the ball past Gomes, who had been reluctant to kick to ball. The keeper, and most of Spurs’ players protested with the linesman and referee while Nani celebrated his goal – which was given !

Clattenburg had awarded the goal, and after his linesman flagged to speak with him – he stuck with his decision. Nani’s goal stood, and despite the poor refereeing before, during and after the goal – it was a testament to the awareness of the flourishing winger.

United Team: Edwin Van Der Sar, Patrice Evra, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Rafael Da Silva (Wes Brown ’65), Ji-Sung Park, Michael Carrick, Luis Nani, Darren Fletcher, Dimitar Berbatov (Paul Scholes ’64), Chicharito (Gabriel Obertan ’87).

Goals: Vidic ’31, Nani ’85