Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur
Match pulse
MANAttacking pressure by 5 minutes
Who won: Man United 1-0
Manchester United beat Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 on Saturday, September 9, 2006 at Old Trafford. Goals for Man United: Ryan Giggs (9').
Play by play
- 90'
One nil was perhaps a fair result as Spurs had enough chances to sneak a goal although the bulk of the pressure came from the home team. Defoe and Mido were both guilty of glaring misses but Spurs overall produced a confident performance. It was not enough though.
- 90'
FULL TIME - Manchester United go back to the top and now have four wins from their first four games. With a stuttering Arsenal next up at Old Trafford they will fancy their chances of making that five.
- 90'
Silvestre brings the ball away with some nice skill and boots the ball away. We are still playing and four minutes have now been added.
- 90'
Gary Neville's reliable head clears the ball and when it comes in again Mido is surrounded by four United defenders and can't get a clean touch.
- 90'
Jenas once more sizes it up. Will Dawson do it this time? United bring off Ronaldo and in to the fray comes Mikael Silvestre.
- 90'
Murphy tries to get a cross in but it is weak and United clear. Ghaly now is challenged by Evra and wins a corner.
- 90'
Three minutes of added time to be played. Still time for a Spurs equaliser.
- 89'
Saha, under pressure from Dawson, tries to bend a shot in from the edge of the box but with little, in fact no, success.
- 87'
Saha finds himself one on one with Robinson who makes a wonderful save from the French striker as Spurs defence is caught high up the pitch pushing for an equaliser.
- 86'
Tottenham go to Slavia Prague this week in the UEFA cup and will be encouraged by this performance although they will have to make more of their chances than they have today.
- 82'
Some lovely play in the middle of the park betwen United's midfielders gives Saha a great opportunity. He makes the wrong choice though and skies his shot high over Robinson's crossbar.
- 81'
Danny Murphy comes on to rapturous applause from the Manchester United fans to replace Ledley King.
- 79'
Defoe gives the ball away to Giggs who feeds Ronaldo. He seems unsure whether to shoot or square it to Saha as he advances and ends up doing neither. Bit of a waste.
- 78'
Darren Fletcher now replaces Michael Carrick.
- 75'
Brown dispossesses Defoe a bit too easily and United now break with Ronaldo. He runs out of ideas though and now Spurs come forward. Mido gets on the end of a Ghaly cross and should have knocked the ball in from five yards out. United again look suspect at the back and Mido looks furious with himself. So he should. Another great chance for Spurs.
- 74'
Ronaldo tries to bend it round the wall from a wide angle but it goes wide and Spurs have a goal-kick.
- 73'
Giggs takes the corner and Ronaldo finds himself with the ball. With his back to goal he gets past two Spurs defenders before winning a free-kick.
- 72'
The game continues and Giggs turns his man and hits it to Neville. He hits it low in to Spurs box and King, who is over his cramp, makes the interception.
- 70'
Nice feet from Ronaldo and the United player then shows his caring side by hitting the ball out so Ledley King can get some medical attention. Bless.
- 69'
Park is coming on for United and he will replace the recently cautioned Richardson.
- 67'
From six yards Defoe misses the best goal-scoring opportunity of the game. When the cross comes in from the left Defoe finds himself five yards out with just Van der Sar to beat but he hits the ball with his shoulder as he twists his head to direct the ball and it goes harmlessly wide of the goal.
- 65'
Spurs deal well with the threat and then break. Defoe does magnificently well to stay on his feet as he approaches United's goal but his old team-mate Michael Carrick gets back to make the decisive tackle. Mike Riley then goes back to book Richardson following his tackle on Defoe.
- 64'
Spurs fail to clear a United attack and a rasping drive from Ronaldo after he knocks the ball past a defender is knocked behind for a corner by Robinson.
- 63'
O'Shea shows good midfield cover to make a challenge on the edge of his area. Spurs have not given up this game by any strectch and will be looking to Defoe for a goal.
- 62'
Fine play from Ronaldo allows him to feed Saha. Dawson is reluctant to challenge him in the penalty area but manages to steer the Frenchman wide of the United goal.
Leaders
MANTOT 
