Hello,
Derek here, subbing for Dan.
Going into this game, United wanted to put the pressure back on Chelsea and they did, beating Spurs 3-1. Spurs came into this game hot, beating two London teams in less than a week but was it too much to ask for them to come to Old Trafford and beat United?
United was 2-0 this season against Spurs (3-1 PL and 2-0 in League Cup) going into this game. Spurs do not have a great record at Old Trafford. United has won 8 out of last 10 at Old Trafford and have a great overall record against Spurs in the PL ( 25-7-3). I do not look at overall records. I like to know what has happened lately. For me, the Spurs of late play a similar game as United. They play a fast, passing game, using wingers to set-up plays and push central mid-field players forward. The problem is against United is that United is better. That may sound like a "Red Till Dead" thing to say but it is true. Player for player, United is better or equal to their counter-part. So if Spurs want to play the same game, go right a head. Want proof:
Evra > Bale
Rafael = Ekoota
Scholes > Palacios
Fletcher > Huddlestone (a waste of characters even typing this one)
Giggs > Modric
Nani > Bently
Valencia > Defoe
Burba > Pavlyuchenko (yes, P has 5 goals while B has 12)
The first half was dominated by United save one or two Spurs set-plays in United territory. The camera was pretty much stationary in the Spurs half. The second half started well with a Giggs penalty, his first PK in a premier league game. Yes, you heard that right. I could not believe it when I read the stat myself but it is true. He has taken PK in cup tie competitions but never in the PL league. I would chalk it up to having guys with Bruce, Cantona and Ronaldo on your team at the same time. Credit to Spurs as they made some changes and it seemed to work as they fought back to tie the game via a Ledley King header as he was pretty much on top of Rafael. For about 10 minutes, United look shell-shocked but Nani took control with a great go-a-head goal and Giggs put in his second PK goal later to cement the win.
No Wayne Rooney as reports say he has a groin injury. By the way, I am not 100% convinced of this. I mean, Fergie bluffed Rooney this week to get in the minds of the Spurs. He could be doing it again and there is no injury save the ankle or perhaps the groin injury is not severe.
Chelsea won their game with a ton of goals against Stoke at home leaving United behind by only a point. Next week, Chelsea play Liverpool away and United play Sunderland away.
See you on Sunday @ 11am. Hey, we can finally have some beers.
Derek
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