Tottenham 2-0 Man Utd: Player ratings as Spurs see off Red Devils
- Tottenham record first win of Ange Postecoglou era
- Spurs beat Man Utd for first time at new stadium
- Red Devils poor in midfield again after just about seeing off Wolves on Monday
FROM TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR STADIUM - Ange Postecoglou chalked up his first Premier League win as Tottenham boss, with his new side beating Manchester United 2-0 on Saturday.
Spurs claimed three points against the Red Devils for the first time at their new stadium and were good value for the victory despite some haphazard defending.
Erik ten Hag's side ceded the midfield battle for a second straight game and his men head back north without the points.
How the game unfolded
A fast start saw both sides spurn half-chances early on. A floated cross from Dejan Kulusevski was shanked by Son Heung-min, while Alejandro Garnacho robbed Pedro Porro of the ball and teed up Antony, but his strike sailed over.
Man Utd nearly found a way through when Marcus Rashford took the ball from Antony and sprinted beyond the last line, with Guglielmo Vicario rushing out to deny the England forward.
Rashford went close again when he met the end of a Rabona cross from Bruno Fernandes, but he couldn't keep his header down.
A swift Spurs counter saw Son come inside and shift the ball to Pape Matar Sarr who in turn found Kulusevski, with the Swede forcing Andre Onana into a low save.
Just before the half-hour mark, Man Utd were denied a penalty when Cristian Romero appeared to handle the ball in the box. Even after a lengthy VAR check, the Argentine was let off the hook.
Tottenham went close again when James Maddison led the break, with Son slipping through Sarr with a disguised pass, but Onana was equal to his effort.
The visitors should have taken the lead when Luke Shaw crossed for Fernandes, who somehow headed high and wide from mere yards out.
Spurs were clicking through the gears and Porro smashed a shot off the crossbar before Sarr's low cross ricocheted off Shaw and struck the post.
With their first attack after the break, Tottenham took the lead. Kulusevski drove to the byline and played a low cross through the box. A deflection off of Lisandro Martinez saw the ball fall kindly to Sarr, who fired into the roof of the net.
Man Utd nearly responded immediately when they won the ball back high up the pitch, with Antony cutting inside and striking the far post.
Back down the other end, Destiny Udogie brought another save out of Onana at the near post after running in beyond Son.
After Romero was spared conceding a penalty in the first half, he was aggrieved that he wasn't awarded one in the second when he lost a 50/50 duel to compatriot and close friend Martinez.
Man Utd's search for an equaliser saw Casemiro rise highest to meet a Fernandes free-kick, bringing a top-drawer save out of Vicario.
Shaw provided a crucial block to deny Son after he wriggled his way past several Man Utd bodies on the hour mark.
Next to try his luck was Yves Bissouma, who tip-toed past Casemiro with ease before rolling a trickling shot wide.
With under ten minutes remaining, Spurs found a deserved second goal. Substitute Ivan Perisic rolled the ball into the path of fellow replacement Ben Davies, whose delicate touch fooled Martinez, with the Argentine directing it past Onana and into the net.
Tottenham Hotspur player ratings vs Man Utd (4-3-3)
GK: Guglielmo Vicario - 7/10 - Made several flying saves to keep Tottenham afloat. Quick off his line after looking shaky in doing so in pre-season.
RB: Pedro Porro - 5/10 - Afforded Garnacho the freedom of north London, though somehow wasn't punished by the Argentine winger. A positive in possession, notably smashing the post in the first half.
CB: Cristian Romero - 6/10 - On another day may have conceded a penalty for his firs-half handball. His usual aggresive self in the tackle.
CB: Micky van de Ven - 6/10 - Lost his runner on occasion but was on hand with his freakish pace and strength.
LB: Destiny Udogie - 7/10 - Despite losing out early on in duels to Antony, the young Italian never shied away from the spotlight and was determined to take on more and more responsibility as the match went on. Booked before being substituted.
DM: Yves Bissouma - 8/10 - The midfielder probably has more impressive performances under his belt this season already than the entirety of last. Marshalled the pitch with confidence and swagger.
CM: Pape Matar Sarr - 9/10 - An all-important goal to go with a complete midfield performance, progressing the ball and winning it back in equal measure.
CM: James Maddison - 7/10 - Dribbled his way out of trouble and into the final third. Guilty on occasion of waiting too long to release the ball.
RW: Dejan Kulusevski - 6/10 - Tottenham opened the scoring when the Swede diversified his game and went outside his man. Needed to show that ingenuity more.
CF: Richarlison - 5/10 - Dug in and fought for every inch but was scarcely found inside the penalty area again.
LW: Son Heung-min - 7/10 - Played with a quickness and freedom not seen since a year ago after finally recovering from a long-term hernia problem. Showed off his intricate passing with the help of willing runners as well.
Substitutes
SUB: Ben Davies (70' for Udogie) - 7/10
SUB: Ivan Perisic (70' for Richarlison) - 7/10
SUB: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (76' for Sarr) - 6/10
SUB: Emerson Royal (88' for Porro) - N/A
SUB: Manor Solomon (88' for Kulusevski) - N/A
Subs not used: Forster (GK), Sanchez, Skipp, Lo Celso
Manager
Ange Postecoglou - 8/10 - The Greek-Australian promised his fans exciting football that they can feel part of, and today was the perfect proof of that being the case.
Manchester United player ratings vs Tottenham (4-3-3)
GK: Andre Onana - 6/10 - Made several actions to which it was uttered "David de Gea could never" in the press box by someone writing this. Can see what he adds to the team even in defeat. Could do nothing about the goals.
RB: Aaron Wan-Bissaka - 5/10 - Picked up a yellow just after the half-hour mark and stopped a Spurs breakaway in the second half. Not his best afternoon though.
CB: Raphael Varane - 6/10 - Skinned by Son in the first half but generally steady on the ball and in the air.
CB: Lisandro Martinez - 5/10 - Lots of typical bluster but has no points and an own goal to show for it.
LB: Luke Shaw - 5/10 - At fault for the opening Spurs goal as Kulusevski got to the byline to cut back for Sarr. Made a block which almost certainly denied Spurs a second on the hour.
DM: Casemiro - 5/10 - Wasn't exactly overrun in midfield with Mount playing alongside him throughout the day, but United lost the midfield battle in the second half. Had a strong header acrobatically saved by Vicario.
CM: Bruno Fernandes - 5/10 - Had a first half headed chance that he just absolutely needed to bury. Picked up a booking for complaining about a decision, as you would expect.
CM: Mason Mount - 5/10 - The jury is very much out on if Erik ten Hag bought the right profile of player in Mount to complete his midfield unit. It ain't working so far.
RW: Antony - 4/10 - Hit the post after Spurs scored early in the second half but too often attacks wilted away in his possession. Not decisive enough.
ST: Marcus Rashford - 5/10 - Early shot blocked by Vicario after strong build-up and worked space for himself well, but this is just not the natural striker fit. United are lacking a physical presence through the middle and missing Rashford's potency in his favoured wide areas.
LW: Alejandro Garnacho - 5/10 -An outlet for United throughout the first half and looked dangerous against Porro. Took a shot which may have led to a penalty but faded out of the game in the second half and was substituted.
Substitutes
SUB: Diogo Dalot (66' for Wan-Bissaka) - 5/10 - Replaced Wan-Bissaka to no effect.
SUB: Christian Eriksen (66' for Antony) - 5/10 - Brought on to help United control the midfield because there's no way the first choice three are ever going to.
SUB: Jadon Sancho (66' for Garnacho) - 5/10 - Neat touches which amounted to nothing.
SUB: Anthony Martial (85' for Rashford) - N/A
SUB: Facundo Pellistri (85' for Mount) - N/A
Subs not used: Henderson (GK), Vitek (GK), Lindelof, McTominay
Manager
Erik ten Hag - 4/10 - His midfield choices were questionable as was his persistence to keep Rashford up front, though his players didn't take their chances when given or gifted.