Full Time: Manchester United 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur
Jose Mourinho’s watchful approach to his side’s game against Tottenham Hotspur at home panned out just as he wanted as a late winner from Anthony Martial handed his side all three points against a Kane-less, tooth-less Spurs side on Saturday.
Pochettino knew that his side needed to be at their best to get anything from this game but they failed to take the very few chances that fell to them as they bowed out of Old Trafford, without even a point to show for.
Tottenham had all the possession and tried hard to make things happen and they came close to scoring as well, so many times. But the absence of Harry Kane up front was evident and it only shows what happens to a team when the star man becomes unavailable.
Having said that, here’s how the Tottenham players fared against Mourinho’s United.
Tottenham Player Ratings
Hugo Lloris (6)
The skipper of the side had a rather tame night as he made a couple of mistakes, failing to keep a clean sheet. Nevertheless, he did deny Man Utd on a couple of occasions too, to keep Tottenham in the game.
Eric Dier (6)
Should have covered Lukaku in the build-up to the goal but was otherwise solid as a part of the backline.
Toby Alderweireld (6)
Gave nothing away on the night until he was beaten by Martial for the only goal of the game.
Jan Vertonghen (6)
Almost put in a block to stop Martial’s goal and was solid at the back for Spurs all night long.
Serge Aurier (6)
Was not afraid to push ahead whenever possible and was a constant threat in the final third. Was hardly tested at the back.
Harry Winks (6)
Winks tried hard to make things happen by linking the defence and the attack. However, he couldn’t really have a say on the result.
Moussa Sissoko (5)
Missed a glorious chance to score in the first-half. It was an unproductive outing for the Frenchman. Disappointing.
Ben Davies (7)
A stupendous performance for the English ace who created a number of chances. He also managed to put in blocks and interceptions at the back, to keep his side in the game.
Christian Eriksen (5)
Created just one chance of note, which Dele Alli failed to convert on a rather dull night for the Dane.
Dele Alli (5)
Missed a glorious chance after being set up by Eriksen and he lost his head after a first-half brawl with the United players.
Heung-Min Son (6)
Played as a false-9 in the absence of Kane but failed to have the kind of an impact that was needed in this crunch clash.
Subs:
Fernando Llorente (5)
Came on for Son Heung-min but took too long to settle into the game to have an effect on the result.
Mousa Dembele (6)
Came on for Sissoko and added some creativity and mettle to the Spurs midfield.