Tottenham 2-0 Manchester United - Ange Postecoglou enjoys first home Premier League victory for Spurs
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Updated 19/08/2023 at 22:26 GMT
It was an evening to remember for Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou, who was able to celebrate a victory against Manchester United in his first Premier League home match in charge of the north London club. Postecoglou saw Pape Sarr claim the opening goal of the match, before a Lisandro Martinez own goal saw Spurs double their lead late in the second half as they secured all three points.
Pape Matar Sarr of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates scoring their teams first goal during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Image credit: Getty Images
Tottenham Hotspur beat Manchester United 2-0 in Ange Postecoglou's first home game in charge, with a maiden Spurs goal from Pape Sarr setting up that result.
The visitors edged a breathless first half and should have taken the lead when a Luke Shaw cross picked out Bruno Fernandes, unmarked and six yards from goal, but the captain got his header horribly wrong and the ball flew wide.
Spurs almost made United pay within five minutes, but Pedro Porro's vicious shot came back off the crossbar and then the post saved them on the rebound, with a deflected cross having wrong-footed Andre Onana.
Tottenham picked things up in the second half and Sarr found the breakthrough when he slammed home a deflected cross which was allowed to bounce deep inside the United box.
Antony almost produced an immediate response, but his curling shot struck the post and that proved to be the closest United came.
Their misery was complete eight minutes from time when Lisandro Martinez sliced a clearance into his own goal.
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Tottenham Hotspur players celebrate scoring against Manchester United
Image credit: Getty Images
Tottenham are up to fifth in the too-early-to-be-meaningful Premier League table, leapfrogging 10th-placed United.
TALKING POINT
Postecoglou's Spurs have lift-off. The fixture list was not kind to Postecoglou - just ask Erik ten Hag how unwelcoming a place Brentford can be - so four points from two games is a very respectable start.
This result was more than just respectable, however. This was a marquee win against a Champions League team, achieved with style. Spurs knocked the ball around confidently, stuck with it even after a few mishaps which on another day might have been punished, and in the second half they were well on top.
The movement of the full-backs into midfield allowed Yves Bissouma and Sarr to get forward as they pleased, which was crucial for the first goal, and the full-backs themselves also caused United problems. If Postecoglou can get Son Heung-min and Richarlison firing in this system, Tottenham will cause all sorts of problems.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Yves Bissouma (Tottenham Hotspur). Classy on the ball, Bissouma grew into the game much like Spurs did and started dictating things after the break.
PLAYER RATINGS
Tottenham Hotspur: Vicario 6, Porro 6, Romero 7, Van de Ven 6, Udogie 7, Sarr 7, Bissouma 8, Kulusevski 6, Maddison 6, Son 5, Richarlison 5. Subs: Davies 7, Perisic 7, Hojbjerg 5, Royal 5, Solomon 5.
Manchester United: Onana 7, Wan-Bissaka 6, Varane 6, Martinez 5, Shaw 6, Casemiro 5, Fernandes 5, Mount 4, Antony 6, Garnacho 6, Rashford 5. Subs: Sancho 5, Dalot 5, Eriksen 5, Pellistri 5, Martial 5.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
BAD MISS! 36' - Garnacho rolls the ball back to Shaw, Fernandes times his run perfectly and is picked out by Shaw's cross, six yards from goal and unmarked, but he conspires to head well wide!
OFF THE BAR! 40' - Porro sliding into midfield almost pays dividends as it leaves him in position receive a Son pass on the edge of the box and unleash a wicked strike which crashes back off the bar.
GOAL! TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1-0 MANCHESTER UNITED (SARR) 49' - Kulusevski is afforded lots of space down the Tottenham right, drives towards goal then crosses. It is deflected, allowed to bounce and then Sarr slams home.
OFF THE POST! 51' - Almost an immediate response as Antony cuts onto his left foot and curls one, aiming for the far corner, but his shot hits the post.
GOAL! TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2-0 MANCHESTER UNITED (MARTINEZ OG) 83' - Tottenham pass the ball around until Perisic gets it on the left. He crosses for Davies, who misses the ball, but Martinez slices a clearance not far behind and the ball ends up in the United net.
KEY STATS
- Spurs had won just one of their last nine matches against United.
- United have won just one of their last 10 Premier League matches in London.
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