The Big Match Revisited - Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United

Tottenham and Manchester United could not be separated as goals from Steven Bergwijn and Bruno Fernandes resulted in a 1-1 draw.


Football won't be played at the same intensity without the added atmosphere the fans give and this showed it. Both played on the side of caution and for the first twenty minutes practically nothing happened.

Marcus Rashford forced Hugo Lloris into action, his shot stopped with his legs before the 'keeper easily claimed Fred's long range effort. Like London buses, two chances came in quick succession but a goal came out of nowhere for Tottenham.

Steven Bergwijn took the ball inside Manchester United's half and ran towards the goal. It was the first sign of impetus from Tottenham in any attacking sense and the United defenders couldn't catch the pacy, flying Dutchman. Into the penalty area after easily turning Harry Maguire, he hit a powerful shot at David de Gea but the Spaniard was unable to stop it.

Questions have been asked of de Gea this season but he made a fantastic save from Heung-Min Son shortly after the goal; his header tipped over the bar when a second seemed more likely.

Manchester United had the first spell of pressure but couldn't threaten Tottenham before the end of the first half. Serge Aurier's wayward shot on the stroke of half time epitomised a lacklustre 45 minutes.

Tottenham never looked to attack in the first half and having got the first goal, didn't need to. The onus was on United to force the issue and they nearly got an equaliser when Bruno Fernandes' low shot dribbled past the post with Lloris not getting there.

Solskjaer needed the cavalry to make an impact and brought on Paul Pogba and Mason Greenwood to find a goal. Pogba fed Fernandes who played an exquisite pass into Anthony Martial but his shot was blocked. Luke Shaw fizzed in a cross and Martial controlled, shot and made Lloris produce a wonderful diving save.

United were starting to cause problems so Mourinho made a tactical switch to five at the back. The spaces had been closed do United were not posing the same threat they previously had. It had to, and would be from a set piece that Manchester United would level the match.

Pogba picked up the ball on the right wing and faced up against Eric Dier. A nice piece of skill and Pogba was past Dier, who brought him down in the penalty area. VAR had a look and agreed with Jon Moss. It wasn't Pogba, though, who would take the penalty. Fernandes stepped up and sent Lloris the wrong way.

It was 1-1 and that is how it would stay, although Jon Moss did award another penalty for Manchester United for a foul on Fernandes by Dier but VAR (correctly) overturned the decision and Mason Greenwood, in the 95th minute, flashed a shot just wide.

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