Manchester United 2-1 Tottenham: Spurs’ Wait Trophy Wait Continues As Red Devils Produce A Stunning Comeback
Manchester United reached the FA Cup final after beating Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 at Wembley on Saturday. Mauricio Pochettino will have to spend another trophyless season after goals from Alexis Sanchez and Ander Herrera saw Tottenham get knocked out of the FA Cup after Dele Alli gave the north London outfit the lead.
Spurs began the game with high intensity, putting United on the back foot straight away. United held firm early on and slowly settled into the game but it was Spurs who deservedly took the lead.
Christian Eriksen drove forward with the ball down the right before playing an exquisite cross to the far post, where Alli rushed on time to score.
From there on, Spurs dominated and came close to doubling the lead, only for Harry Kane to miss a chance. That miss came back to haunt Spurs in the 24th minute when Alexis Sanchez made it 1-1 with an athletic header from a Paul Pogba cross.
Tottenham were unlucky not to take the lead after they hit the post through Eric Dier in first-half stoppage time before the referee blew the whistle.
After the break, both teams looked for the second goal but it was United who found the second goal which turned out to be the winner. Ander Herrera drove a low shot under goalkeeper Michel Vorm.
Tottenham Player Ratings
Michel Vorm – 6/10
Vorm surprisingly started ahead of first-choice Lloris. He couldn’t do much about the first goal but made an acrobatic save to deny Pogba just before the break. The veteran was unsighted for Herrera’s goal which zipped past him.
Kieran Trippier – 5/10
Trippier enjoyed a really adventurous first-half. However, he faded after the break and struggled to whip in crosses into the box.
Davinson Sanchez – 6/10
It was his ball that found Eriksen on the right for Spurs’ opener. He was solid and composed at the back.
Jan Vertonghen – 7/10
Vertonghen was partly at fault for the equaliser as he missed Pogba’s cross via which Sanchez headed home. Barring that, he was a rock at the back, made some crucial interceptions, vital blocks and outmuscled his Belgian compatriot Lukaku on the whole.
Ben Davies – 4/10
Davies was too late to react to Sanchez’s goal. He lacked the energy and spirit when Spurs chased the game. He was rightfully replaced by Lucas Moura after the break.
Eric Dier – 6/10
Dier was unlucky not to give Tottenham the lead at the stroke of half-time. He slotted into defence when Davies went off and made a fantastic sliding tackle on Rashford in stoppage time.
Mousa Dembele – 4/10
Dembele lost possession a lot of times and was guilty of losing the ball to Pogba in the build-up to United’s leveller. He lacked the composure and energy in the midfield and although he improved after the break, the Belgian never dominated. He was replaced by Wanyama.
Christian Eriksen – 6/10
Eriksen started the game brightly and played a low pin-point cross for Dele Alii to put Spurs ahead. He had a chance but scuffed the ball wide. In the second-half, he faded and failed to dictate the tempo of the game.
Dele Alli – 6/10
Alli sprinted through the middle to get on the end of Eriksen’s ball into the box. He was booked in the second half for a rash tackle and never looked threatening.
Son Heung-min – 5/10
Son skinned Valencia and was a livewire in the first half. He missed a great chance, failing to apply the finishing touch. Tried too much with the ball at times but to no avail.
Harry Kane – 4/10
Kane supplied two great balls to Eriksen and Son which could have resulted in goals. Never looked like he was in the game as United defenders never looked flustered. An evening to forget for the English superstar.
Substitutes
Lucas Moura – 6/10
Moura came on for Davies to add more impetus to the attack. The Brazilian brought real energy in the attack which Tottenham lacked after the break.
Victor Wanyama – 5/10
Waynama replaced Dembele when Spurs chased the game. He helped them gain a lot of possession.
Erik Lamela – N/A
Lamela had no impact as he came on for Son in the final few minutes.
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