Tottenham Hotspur leaves the ‘Theater of Dreams’ with a dominating 3-0 win over Man United on Sunday.
With news that Heung Min Son didn’t travel with the team — as he is attending to a hamstring injury that he picked up midweek in the Europa League win over Qarabag — the team filled in for the loss of their captain.
Scoring three minutes into the game thanks to a lovely counterattack break from Micky van de Ven — where the defender showed off his speed and dribble skills to get through the United midfield and defense — the Dutch international placed a perfect ball to the back post for a streaking Brennan Johnnson to tap-in the opening goal.
Shushing the United crowd and hoping to put together a brilliant display of attacking football, Spurs had to endure their painful misses from Timo Werner, Johnson, and others who could not get into the back of the net.
Enduring a switch in momentum after the 20th minute as United got into the final third and put pressure on the team with Garnacho having a chance — but hitting the post — the best opportunity came from Joshua Zirkzee as the first time shot was saved by Guglielmo Vicario who sprawled to the floor to palm the ball in control.
Getting that first goal and wanting more, the game fully opened after Man United captain Bruno Fernandes was shown a straight red for his challenge on James Maddison. With many pundits thinking it was harsh for the straight red, the ref stuck to his call and left the Red Devils down to 10 men for the entire second half.
Blazing through with a quick goal in the first half, Spurs replicated the quick start after the restart with a goal from Dejan Kulusevski.
Dominic Solanke won the ball on the Spurs half and the first-time header to the right side of the halfway line allowed for Brennan Johnson and Kulusevksi to stretch Diego Dalot out at left back.
With Johnson taking over and dribbling down the line and cutting into the box, his pass was knicked off Dalot’s back heel but placed perfectly in the air for Kulusevksi to soar in the air for a volley off his left boot to go far post.
Picturesque finish by the Swede who created 7 open play chances in the game.
Up 2-0 and hoping for Spurs to hold on for a clean sheet, United made one final push to try and get back into the game.
Never seeing the final ball go through the net, Spurs buried the game in the 77th minute.
As Ange Postecoglou made three changes to see out the game — Mikey Moore, Lucas Bergvall, and Pape Sarr — the latter two connected on a set piece.
Bergvall’s inswinging corner was placed perfectly for Sarr to leap and flick the ball into the middle of the 3-yard area for Solanke to lunge first for the loose ball and put the game to bed.
Notes:
It always feels great to beat Man United. Spurs have won three of their last seven visits to Old Trafford. There were only two in the previous 26, not a fortress anymore.