Manchester United Vs. Tottenham Hotspurs Match Report

United returned to the top of the table and moved three points clear of Liverpool after a stunning comeback against Tottenham Hotspur which produced five second half goals.

The Reds were 2-0 down at half-time following strikes from Darren Bent and Luca Modric. But Sir Alex’s men stormed back after the break thanks to a brace apiece from the outstanding Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney and another from Dimitar Berbatov.

Sir Alex Ferguson made five changes to the side that had overcome Harry Redknapp’s former side, Portsmouth, three days earlier. In came Rafael da Silva following the spate of injuries at right-back, while Nani, Michael Carrick and Rio Ferdinand all returned to the starting line-up. There was also a place for ex-Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov, who partnered Wayne Rooney in attack. Meanwhile, Ryan Giggs watched on from the stands knowing he would have to wait for another day to make his 800th appearance in a red shirt.

United started the match in second following Liverpool’s 3-1 victory at Hull and immediately set about gaining top spot. Berbatov almost had the first sight of goal after just 30 seconds, but Darren Fletcher’s pass was just too long for the Bulgarian allowing Heurelho Gomes to collect.

Having already secured their top flight status, Spurs came to Old Trafford with little to play for other than pride. And they weren’t about to let that pride be easily dented and with a player of Aaron Lennon’s quality in your side there’s always a chance of opening up the opposition. And that’s exactly what the pacey winger almost did on eight minutes. Fortunately Darren Bent’s header from Lennon’s floated right-wing cross was pushed around the post by Edwin van der Sar.

At the other end, Gomes had to be alert to Cristiano Ronaldo’s speculative 40-yard free-kick which bounced awkwardly in front of the Spurs stopper who claimed it at the second time of asking. Four minutes later the Portuguese winger flashed a header wide after jumping to meet Nani’s left-wing cross.

United appeared to edging ever closer to an opener, but it was Spurs, somewhat against the run of play, who took the lead on 29 minutes. Vedran Corluka’s whipped cross was missed by both Vidic and Ferdinand allowing the ball to fall to Darren Bent who duly smashed home from six yards.

Three minutes later things got doubly worse for United who looked more than a little shaky once more at the back. Lennon’s cross from the right dropped to the unmarked Luca Modric who lashed the ball inside the near post to give the visitors a two-goal cushion.

A shell-shocked Old Trafford couldn’t quite believe what they were seeing. United were in need of a minor miracle, or two, and Ronaldo almost provided it seven minutes from the break. Having seen his free-kick strike the wall, the winger reacted quickest before flicking a dipping volley towards goal. Only a superb finger-tip save from Gomes prevented the Reds from clawing a goal back.

United’s comeback mission was given a further boost when Carlos Tevez replaced Nani at the break. And the Argentine was involved in the Reds’ first two chances of the second period. First he laid on a cross for Rooney who saw his curling effort deflected wide, before Tevez himself had a close-range repelled by Gomes after a lovely little pass from Ronaldo.

The Portuguese winger was handed the chance to give United a lifeline on 57 minutes when Gomes upended Carrick in the area after a defence-splitting pass from Rooney had put the England international through on goal.

From the spot, Ronaldo calmly steered the ball down the middle of the goal as Gomes dived to his left. Old Trafford erupted – the fightback had begun.

Ten minutes later the Reds were back on level terms. A great one-two between Berbatov and Tevez allowed the latter to slide a pass into Rooney whose low shot through the legs of Corluka crept in at the near post after Gomes failed to get a strong enough contact on it.

Victory was now in sight and, quite unbelievably, a mere 60 seconds later United were ahead. Evra laid the ball to Rooney who cut inside from the left and sent an inswinger towards the onrushing Ronaldo who met it with a diving header that bounced into the roof of the net. The relief and joy around Old Trafford was palpable.

Surely things couldn’t get any better? They could, two goals better in fact. Sublime control from Berbatov was followed a neat lay-off to Ronaldo who clipped a lovely cross to the back post where Rooney was waiting. The striker brought the ball down and took aim. Gomes got the slightest of touches on the ball which rolled towards the line, before eventually dropping over it despite Woodgate’s and King’s best efforts.

Darren Bent saw a curling shot whistle just past van der Sar’s left-hand post, before United headed upfield once more to bag a fifth. And it was another excellent move, started and finished by Berbatov, from the rampant Reds. The Bulgarian sent the ball out to Rooney who again cut inside and crossed for Berbatov. His header was parried by Gomes, but the Spurs stopper and midfielder Jermaine Jenas were unable to clear the danger allowing Berbatov to poke home from two yards.