Spurs kicked off against Manchester United in sunny North London. It was a game that really excited both sets of fans, but ultimately did not result in what seemed a goal.
Mason was the first to let fly, initiating a Spurs bombardment of the away team. Early on both sides traded blows, both defences dealing well with any pressure. Fazio was doing well to contain Van Persie and Falcao. Kane later gave Spurs a good chance. After Kane lost the ball, he persisted making a fine challenge, then slipping in Mason who just couldn’t reach it. United countered, but Chiriches was the Spurs hero. Two great challenges denied any United chance on goal.
However, United started to hammer upon the Spurs defence which stood strong, Fazio and Vertonghen especially so. Spurs managed to counter later, Townsend really heating up the game. His cross to Kane nearly ended up in the net and later Townsend’s shot was on target. Promising play for Townsend who finally returned to the starting eleven.
A Mata deflected free kick left Lloris in no man’s land, hitting the post and a goal line scramble ensued. Vlad Chiriches cleared off the line to deny Van Persie a goal. Robin Van Persie will be kicking himself after he bottled another chance just before halftime. He had evaded the defence but needed too many touches before Lloris claimed the ball.
The halftime whistle blew, where a 0-0 score line concealed the abundance of action and chances. Lloris was doing well to keep the clean sheet, his defence were strong but couldn’t stop all of United’s attacks. Offensively, chances were occasional and looked as though one might just slip in, Kane coming close a number of times.
Kane looked to create a chance, setting up an advanced Fazio to force a corner. The resulting corner saw Eriksen’s shot cannon off the legs of the opposition. There was a penalty shout when Kane looked to be felled, but he swiftly got back up on his feet, no penalty.
Townsend used his quick feet to evade two tackles before unleashing a rocket that perhaps was too close to the keeper, who saved it well. The second half began very much how the first half played. Spurs and United taking in turns to try and outwit each other.
Vertonghen used his strength well to fend off Falcao after a free kick dropped out of the box. His cross wasn’t the best, but it fell to Fazio who dispatched a solid shot to the bottom corner, saved by a sprawling De Gea. Unusual to see the centreback partnership so high into the opponent’s half. Good stuff.
An Eriksen free kick dipped to the bottom left, causing De Gea to punch the ball wide. Shortly after, Dembele and Lamela were brought onto the field.
Kane hit United on the break, all alone. However, Mason moments later made a surging run, who was spotted by Kane who delivered a beautiful reverse ball which Mason blasted over the bar. What a shame!
There was another penalty shout after Rooney rugby tackled Kane during a corner, but, unfortunately, the referee did not see it. So fortunate for Rooney. That would have been game, set, match if the penalty was scored. A costly decision.
Late on, there was no late winner for Spurs as fans have grown used to. Instead, a no score draw saw each side depart with a point. It was a fair result for a hotly contested affair. However, neither side possessed the finesse to grab a goal.
Player ratings
Lloris: Astounding goalkeeping. (Excellent)
Chiriches: Poor passing, much better defensively. (Good)
Fazio: Physically strong, dealt with United’s strikers well. (Good)
Vertonghen: Good in the air, great tackling, good interceptions (MOTM)
Davies: Another good game from Ben. Good tackles and play out wide (Good)
Stambouli: A bulldog in midfield. Hunting down the ball, pressing opponents. (Good)
Mason: Committed tackling, desire and decent passing. (Good)
Chadli: Powerful on the wing, scything the United defence part. (Good)
Townsend: Energetic, but still lacked sharpness. (Average)
Eriksen: Influenced the game a lot more in the second half (Good)
Kane: Constantly causing problems for the United defence. Rugby tackled, should have had a pen. (Good)
Subs
Lamela: Had very little time to create an effect. (N/A)
Dembele: Likewise, no enough time to draw a conclusion. (N/A)
Talking THFC 