Tottenham 0 - 4 Manchester United

I almost wish I could say that they outplayed us, that they deserved to win - instead this is another instance of "we actually played every bit as good, sometimes better, and we still lost". Lost without managing to score a goal - taking our current goal difference down to a horrible -7. The first half was a joy to watch, as it would be when your team outplays the top team in the league. The second half much less so, with United scoring another 3 goals and Spurs attempts going unrewarded. Michael Dawson had another great game and it is a joy and a relief to have Berbatov, the heart and soul of our attack, back again.

Before the second half commenced the cameras showed Ricardo Rocha greeting Portugal team-mate Christiano Ronaldo cordially. I think that is nice and entirely acceptable - the fans in the stadium possibly did not. And perhaps it was lucky that Rocha stayed on the bench for the duration of the match.

Below is an attempt at an only slightly biased match report.

Tottenham started out strong, attacking nicely and displaying some fine passing as well as taking the ball from the feet of United's players. Malbranque outplayed his opponents on the left, brilliantly crossing to Defoe and Berbatov who each had a shot. Man U, always dangerous at corners, were nearly rewarded by a shot from Ronaldo, which was, however, stopped by Didier Zokora. The Portugese continued to look dangerous, calling upon some classy defensive work from Dawson and Gardner. A header from Carrick forced a save from Robinson. On 25 minutes Dawson took a hit in a clash with Rooney, but was able to resume play. Despite the chances for United, possession continued to rest with Spurs and a wonderful shot from Berbatov nearly went in - had it not been for van der Sar saving with his fingertips.

A foul by Gary Neville on Pascal Chimbonda turned into a free kick, and should have become a penalty as Neville pulled Chimbonda to the ground just outside goal. It was, however, a day of somewhat inconsistent refereeing which saw a clumsy tackle by Gardner on Larsson go unpunished and a doubtful penalty claim by Ronaldo rewarded instead. A booking on Larsson for foul on Chimbonda seemed unmerited, while Paul Scholes, who could have been sent off for at least two bookable offences, remained unbooked and instead scored a goal. The penalty, well taken by Ronaldo, closed a first half which had not given any indications that Tottenham were going towards another home defeat.

The second half saw an invigorated Manchester United take more control and immediately be rewarded with a corner. In a series of corners and chances it became near impossible that nothing should find the net; the first corner was saved by Berbatov (increasingly useful in those defensive situations), a shot by Vidic was saved by Robinson, who had to make another save soon after as Carrick headed towards goal. Ultimately, a corner taken by Carrick and headed into goal by Vidic became to much for the Spurs defence.

A few minutes later the clever team-work between Larsson and Ronaldo allowed the winger to cross for Scholes who put the ball past Robinson. Tottenham boss Martin Jol responded by a double substitution: Keane on for Defoe and Ghaly on for Zokora. Spurs regained some control over the game, finding their passing feet again and a cross from Huddlestone, in combination with a great run and shot from Berbatov forced a great save from van der Sar on 63 minutes. Rooney and Ronaldo were both taken off to be replaced by Saha and Park. After 10 minutes of flowing attacks a cross from Ghaly and a well-taken header by Berbatov was again blocked by the Holland goalkeeper. Immediately after this Ryan Giggs, making a great run to a Saha cross, cut through the defenders and shot past Robinson who had gone too far out of his goal and was unable to do anything but watch the ball hit the net. Giggs was soon after replaced by John O'Shea.

On 82 minutes Keane cut through on the right, with a cross from Huddlestone, and nearly put it past van der Sar who dived at the forward's feet. He managed to save the ball, but sacrificed his nose in a collision with Keane's knee. As the goalkeeper walked off the pitch, with a medic holding his nose, there was some confusion as to who would replace him, United having already made all possible substitutions. Ferdinand first donned the green shirt, only to then hand it to O'Shea. The Republic of Ireland defender's goalkeeping skills were put to the test as he was forced to make two saves. Disappointingly, Spurs were unable to get even a consolation goal out of an afternoon which had seen some great chances and performances.


Tottenham
Robinson, Chimbonda, Young-Pyo Lee, Dawson, Gardner, Lennon, Huddlestone, Zokora (Ghaly 56), Malbranque, Defoe (Keane 56), Berbatov
Booked: Chimbonda, Keane

Manchester United
van der Sar, Neville, Evra, Ferdinand, Vidic, Ronaldo (Park 68), Carrick, Scholes, Giggs (O'Shea 80), Rooney (Saha 64), Larsson
Booked: Vidic, Rooney, Larsson
Goals: Ronaldo 45 pen, Vidic 48, Scholes 54, Giggs 77

Referee: M. Clattenburg
Attendance: 36,146