LONDON - It would be easy to simply file this one under "Games Manchester United Won Thanks To David de Gea".
And yet, while that particular cabinet must be bulging after the Spain goalkeeper's latest outstanding performance, the Red Devils' 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley Stadium on Sunday (Jan 13) was by no means an injustice.
The travelling United faithful celebrated wildly in the stands at their corner of the stadium for some time after the majority of the 80,000 had exited and had every reason to be thrilled.
For it was the way they saw off Mauricio Pochettino's formidable Spurs side that mattered to them. They were gritty, opportunistic, confident.
Even when Spurs had stirred from their slumber - they did not register a single shot on target in the first half - and started testing de Gea, one effort after another, United's players did not panic.
Jesse Lingard shone brighter than his England teammate Dele Alli, Paul Pogba was a cocky, assured presence at the tip of United's midfield trident, and the duo of Ander Herrera and Nemanja Matic behind him, so often the target of fans ire during the Dark Mourinho Days, were excellent.
Centre-back Victor Lindelof, meanwhile, stuck to Spurs' chief goal-scorer Harry Kane like a leech, snapping away at his heels and giving him hardly any room in the penalty box.
Â
Â
Luke Shaw, Ashley Young and de Gea drew jeers and whistles from the home supporters for their time-wasting tactics in protecting their lead, and looked fully in control - something that rarely happened before Mourinho's sacking just before Christmas.
The swagger is back.
It should be noted, though, that the two teams had vastly different build-ups to Sunday's game.
United spent a week basking in the warmth with a training camp in Dubai, while Spurs negotiated a hard-earned 1-0 win over Chelsea in the League Cup semi-final.
This explained in part Spurs' slow start, and United's quickness of thought, which was highlighted by Pogba's superb pass to release Marcus Rashford, who raced past Jan Vertonghen to arrow a shot beyond Hugo Lloris just before half-time.
Much has been made of Spurs' title tilt - which now looks unlikely after two consecutive Premier League losses at home - but United exposed their shallow squad's inadequacies.
When Moussa Sissoko was forced off in the first half, they had no established central midfielder on the bench to come on for him. Eric Dier and Victor Wanyama are on the mend from injuries, while Mousa Dembele has started only seven games and is reportedly on the verge of a lucrative move to China.
Worse still, talisman Kane limped off the pitch after appearing to twist his ankle late on in the game. The team's second highest goal-getter? Asian Cup-bound Son.
Last week, Pochettino, who has been tipped as the leading contender for the permanent manager's job at United, spoke about Spurs having to "operate differently" if they are to take the next step and rub shoulders with the elite of European football. His words were taken as a call for more investment from Spurs, even if he downplayed his remarks later.
If the London club do not spend in the January transfer window, though, the lure of resources at Old Trafford in the summer, could be too much to turn down for Pochettino.
*Sazali's trip is hosted by Spurs' global principal partner, AIA.
RIO DE JANEIRO (AFP) - Neymar "cried for two days" after injuring his right foot for a second time in January, he told Brazilian television according to an excerpt of an interview broadcast on
PSG star Neymar cried for two days after foot injury - myKhel
This experience ranges from a reporting at a local level, to spending time on a national sports desk, as well as being a Tottenham season ticket holder. When I'm not watching Spurs, I like to play sport, write fiction novels, and chill out with some online gaming.
Football: Pele remains under 'observation' in Brazil hospital
Football Premier League Champions League Hungry Wolves beat 10-man Manchester United 2-1 2/4/2019. Mbappe wants responsibility. Federer returns on opening day at Roland Garros
Solid and smart Bayern hold Liverpool at Anfield 01:23 A resolute Bayern Munich defence limited Liverpool to few chances at Anfield in their Champions League tie, much to the satisfaction of manager Robert Kovac.
PARMA, Italy (Reuters) - Fabio Quagliarella became Italy's oldest goalscorer as his double helped Roberto Mancini's rejuvenated side thrash 10-man Liechtenstein 6-0 in their second Euro 2020
Football: Veteran Quagliarella helps rejuvenated Italy thrash
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was fined Sh5.8 million (£45,000, $59,000) by the Football Association on Thursday for suggesting referee Kevin Friend had favoured West Ham in his side's 1-1 draw
Liverpool's Klopp fined over referee comments - Breitbart
Jurgen Klopp has condemned "disgusting" racist abuse aimed at Mohamed Salah and called for lifetime bans for the Chelsea fans accused of taunting the Liverpool star. A video circulated on social media ahead of Chelsea's Europa League match at Slavia Prague this week showed a group of six supporters chanting "Salah is a bomber" repeatedly.
Liverpool's Klopp condemns 'disgusting' Salah abuse ahead of
Iran coach Carlos Queiroz set for Colombia switch after Asian Cup Description: Carlos Queiroz, who has been Iran coach for eight rollercoaster years, insisted that he remains committed to bringing Asian football's biggest prize back to the country for the first time in more than 40 years.
Iran coach Carlos Queiroz set for Colombia switch after Asian
United, Spurs, Juve and Inter ready to heat up ICC Singapore Now into its third year in Singapore, the International Champions Cup (ICC) is set for its most exciting edition yet with Serie A heavyweights Juventus and Inter Milan, and English Premier League (EPL) giants Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur confirming their participation
United, Spurs, Juve and Inter ready to heat up ICC S'pore
His tenure may had lasted only two matches but, in his short time in charge, Nazri Nasir had made his mark as the Singapore national team's caretaker coach. Armed with a clear plan for attacking football, unshakeable belief in his men and inspiring team talks, the Lions (world ranking 165) punched above their weight and took Oman (world ranking
Woman taken to hospital after being hit by falling glass door
- Vietnam family rewarded with $0.65 for good compliance with site clearance order. - Took meth several days earlier, says truck driver who killed eight in accident. Other - 3 Newborn Endangered Right Whales Seen After Year With No Births. [New York Times] - Koreans lurk as Qatar defy abuse to reach Asian Cup quarters.
Qatar Happening - February 2011 by Qatar Happening - Issuu
Newcastle United beat Blackburn Rovers 4-2 after extra time while Championship side Stoke City threw away a two-goal lead as they suffered a shock 3-2 home defeat by third-tier Shrewsbury Town in FA Cup third-round replays on Tuesday.
Newcastle get extra-time win, Stoke fall to Shrews in Cup
0 comments:
Post a Comment