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Attendance: 81,978
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Premier League
Jan 31, 2018 at 8pm UK
 
Manchester United logo

2-0

Eriksen (1'), Jones (28' og.)
FT(HT: 2-0)

Live Commentary: Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Manchester United - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's live coverage as Christian Eriksen's nets the second-fastest goal in Premier League history in Spurs' 2-0 win over Manchester United.
2

Tottenham Hotspur have moved to within five points of second-placed Manchester United with a 2-0 win in Wednesday night's encounter at Wembley Stadium.

Spurs went in front after just 11 seconds as Christian Eriksen scored the third-fastest goal in Premier League history, before United defender Phil Jones put through his own net.

United struggled during a one-sided second half but Spurs could not turn their dominance into more goals as Harry Kane was made to wait for his 100th goal in the top flight.

Find out how all of the action unfolded in North London courtesy of Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates below.


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Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the match in the Premier League between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United. Many clubs in the top flight have half an eye on the transfer window, but Mauricio Pochettino and Jose Mourinho are pretty much done as far as their business is concerned. Let's see who both men have selected in their respective starting lineups...

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR XI: Lloris; Trippier, Sanchez, Vertonghen, Davies; Dier, Dembele, Eriksen, Alli, Son; Kane

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUBSTITUTES: Vorm, Rose, Walker-Peters, Wanyama, Sissoko, Lamela, Llorente


MANCHESTER UNITED XI: De Gea; Valencia, Smalling, Jones, Young; Matic, Pogba; Sanchez, Lingard, Martial; Lukaku

MANCHESTER UNITED SUBSTITUTES: Romero, Rojo, Shaw, Fellaini, Herrera, Mata, Rashford


Let's start with the Spurs team and Pochettino is able to hand a recall to Christian Eriksen, who has missed the club's latest fixtures through illness. Spurs only recorded draws in his absence, so it's a big plus for the home side that one of their star men makes a return.

Pochettino's other main selection dilemma was who to include in central midfield, but Eric Dier and Mousa Dembele have been given the nod with Victor Wanyama on the bench alongside Moussa Sissoko.

Serge Aurier is currently still recovering from a calf injury so Kieran Trippier is given another start at right-back, while Ben Davies, as expected, keeps his place ahead of the returning Danny Rose at left-back.

Kyle Walker-Peters features among the replacements - despite having been linked with a loan move to Southampton - while Fernando Llorente appears to be definitely staying at Spurs after Chelsea completed a deal for Olivier Giroud.

As for United, Alexis Sanchez is given his first Premier League start for his new side against his former club's biggest rivals. I'm not sure that is a good thing for Spurs! Sanchez will be looking to build on his assist against Yeovil Town in the FA Cup.

The inclusion of Sanchez is the only change from United's last Premier League fixture against Burnley. Juan Mata is the man to make way, despite having penned a new contract earlier in the week.

All things considered, Mourinho has selected an adventurous starting lineup for a game like this. Usually, the Portuguese goes more defensive. Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini only feature among the replacements.

In defence, Smalling and Jones have been given the nod in central defence at a ground where they have played numerous times for England. It means that Marcos Rojo and Luke Shaw are back on the bench having started against Yeovil on Friday night.

Before we continue with our build-up, a quick note to say that you can keep up-to-date with all of the transfer news from deadline day by clicking here. With less than four hours to go, expect plenty of completed deals!

This is not the only Premier League fixture which is taking place tonight. There are another six being staged up and down the country. Given that it is transfer deadline day, it's madness really! We will keep you up-to-date with the other scores as and when we can.

DONE DEAL! In the last hour, Spurs have announced that they have completed the signing of Lucas Moura from Paris Saint-Germain for a reported fee of £25m. It's an excellent addition to Pochettino's squad. Click here to read the full story.

Pochettino will not be pleased to see his team sitting eight points adrift of United in the league standings, and the Argentine has acknowledged that his side cannot really afford any more dropped points, especially in their upcoming fixtures. Click here to read what the Spurs boss has to say.

A trip to Liverpool follows for Spurs at the weekend but the North London outfit have a poor record against the top-six teams this season. Only three points have been recorded from five games, which came from the 4-1 win over Liverpool at Wembley.

Spurs achieved second place in the standings last season mainly because they were superb at home, but that has not continued during the current campaign. They may have gone 11 games unbeaten in league fixtures at Wembley since losing to Chelsea in August, but four draws have left the club with just the sixth-best home record in the division.

From an individual standpoint, all eyes will be on Kane. The club's leading striker is one away from reaching 100 goals in the Premier League, and there is few better occasions to do it than against Man United.

Pochettino will also be delighted to have Eriksen back available again. The Danish playmaker has not featured for 18 days and Spurs have missed his goals and assists. In 27 starts in the Premier League and Champions League this season, Eriksen has contributed seven of each.

The only transfer news concerning United this evening involves Daley Blind. The latest on the Dutchman is his agent claiming that United will not let the defender join Roma, but with Blind barely being involved in the Premier League this season, there is time for things to change.

United have come in for their fair share of criticism this season but all things considered, second place in the top flight is the best that they could have hoped for. Even with registering 16 points from eight games, they are still well adrift of leaders Manchester City.

Mourinho also loves facing Spurs. During his managerial career, the Portuguese has won 12 matches against the North Londoners, more than against any other side.

Pogba also has a record to maintain this evening. United have not lost in any of the last 36 league matches which Pogba has featured, dating back to October 2016. I suppose that's the kind of record which justifies the player's price-tag.

The French international will have to share the spotlight at Old Trafford with Sanchez, and the January arrival will certainly receive a hot reception tonight from his former club's rivals. Click here to see how Sanchez has fared against Spurs.

The central striker - for now - will continue to be Lukaku and he, too, will have a point to prove having often being criticised for his efforts against the bigger teams in the Premier League. Click here to see the Belgian's goal-to-game ratio.

PREDICTION! Spurs need a win more than United in terms of a top-four place, but we are backing the visitors to prevail tonight. Sanchez is naturally the centre of attention and we think that the Chilean will net in a 2-1 win.

HEAD TO HEAD! Tonight's match represents the 188th competitive meeting between the two clubs, with United registering 89 victories in comparison to just 50 for Spurs.

Spurs have moved closer to United in recent years - even finishing above them in the Premier League table - but United have started to establish a bit of dominance in this fixture since December 2014. The North-West outfit have recorded four wins and a draw from the last seven contests.

The reverse fixture took place back in October and it was not the most entertaining of games. However, a late goal secured all three points for United at Old Trafford. Click here to read back on that encounter.

The two teams have started to make their way out at Wembley Stadium...


A reminder of the two teams...

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR XI: Lloris; Trippier, Sanchez, Vertonghen, Davies; Dier, Dembele, Eriksen, Alli, Son; Kane

MANCHESTER UNITED XI: De Gea; Valencia, Smalling, Jones, Young; Matic, Pogba; Sanchez, Lingard, Martial; Lukaku


KICKOFF! Spurs get us underway!

GOAL! Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Manchester United (Christian Eriksen)

Oh my word. Spurs take the lead after 11 SECONDS! From the kickoff, a long ball is flicked on by Kane, Alli retrieves it and his pass is deflected into the path of Eriksen who scores from eight yards. Incredible!

Christian Eriksen celebrates his opener during the Premier League game between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United on January 31, 2018© Offside


CHANCE! United are almost level! Lingard gets in behind the Spurs defence but Lloris is out to make the block. This start has been insane.

Let's all breathe. Spurs have scored the second fastest goal in Premier League history and United have nearly equalised, all inside three minutes. United hadn't conceded a goal for six matches before kickoff. Madness.

Replays of the goal suggest that Kane got a second head-start from kickoff. Technically, the opener should have been disallowed. Mourinho has his first excuse...

Things have quietened down a touch now. They needed to. If anything, it is United who are having the better of the general play, but Spurs look a threat every time they go forward.

LATEST! In the other games, Everton lead Leicester City thanks to a Theo Walcott goal and Brighton & Hove Albion are ahead at Southampton through Glenn Murray.

Spurs win a corner on the right and Eriksen trots over to take. However, the Dane's delivery fails to beat the first man.

BOOKING! Dembele goes into the book for a cynical pull-back on Lingard. Easy decision for the referee.

United are looking open at the back tonight. They've not tightened things up after conceding after 11 seconds. The ball just isn't falling for the likes of Alli and Kane.

Challenges are flying in from all angles. Sanchez is already taking a few kicks but in all fairness to the Chilean, he is keeping his cool. The January signing is doing little with the ball, however.

Young finds himself one-on-one with Eriksen and the United left-back sees it as an opportunity to get a cross into the penalty area. His delivery is good but Spurs head clear.

SHOT! Martial is struggling to get into the game so takes it upon himself to get a shot on goal. Unfortunately for the Frenchman, his dribble inside only results in a wayward effort over the bar.

CHANCE! A pass is floated over the top of the United defence for Alli to take down, but the midfielder takes the volley on, hooking his attempt from 14 yards wide.

CHANCE! Spurs are warming into this one. A neat pass inside from Eriksen finds the run of Kane but he scuffs a low effort straight at De Gea. Should be doing better from there.

Almost another opening for Spurs. Alli is released down the right and although the midfielder only has Jones to beat, Son is the option to his left. However, Alli holds onto the ball a little too long and Jones makes the partial block.

GOAL! Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Manchester United (Phil Jones own goal)

Disaster for United and for Jones! Trippier's low cross to Kane only finds Jones, but the defender's attempted clearance ends up inside the near post! He went with the wrong foot and was made to pay.

CHANCE! Almost an immediate response from United. Martial gets down the right and although the Frenchman is forced to shoot from an acute angle, he forces compatriot Lloris into a sharp save at the near post.

There are definitely more goals in this game. It's end to end and we have only just moved past the half-hour stage. Spurs just had loud appeals for a penalty but Smalling's tackle on Alli is perfect. It had to be.

SHOT! Son gets a bit carried away when space opens up 25 yards from goal. The South Korean's long-ranger ended up a few yards over De Gea's crossbar.

Spurs are playing with both a swagger and a vulnerability. It's making for a classic game. With 10 minutes to go until half time, will we see either side show more preference to go defensive?

United remain a threat down both flanks but Spurs are exposing them on the break. Valencia and Young are pushing forward and Sanchez and Martial are barely tracking back.

BOOKING! Jones goes into the book for a foul on Kane. I'm not sure it's a yellow card but it sums up the defender's first half.

CHANCE! Spurs win a free kick on the right flank and Eriksen's delivery finds the run of Dier. However, the midfielder's header from eight yards is always going over the bar.

I mentioned about the potential of both clubs going more defensive at the end of this first half, but that has not materialised. Spurs want more goals and United are prepared to take risks to get back into this match.

Mourinho has already headed to the changing rooms! He is furious.

Son has been in the wars over the past couple of minutes. He's struggling so I would be surprised to see him after the break. There will be two minutes of added-on time.

HALF TIME: Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Manchester United

The half-time whistle goes at Wembley Stadium and Spurs deservedly lead at the break. Eriksen's opener has officially been timed at 10.4 seconds. What a start it was. Jones's own goal has put Spurs in full control, but don't write United off just yet.

Let's get back that to that first goal. Replays showed that Kane had started the first half in the United half and that head-start gave him enough time to get into position for a knockdown which eventually led to Eriksen slotting into the net from eight yards. It's the second-fastest goal in Premier League history, not quite beating Ledley King's effort against Bradford City.

The second goal was equally disastrous from a United perspective. Jones should have been able to clear Trippier's cross to safety, but he went with his wrong foot and it only led to the ball finding the inside of the near post.

For the most part, United have competed well. Lingard has arguably been their best player, with Sanchez struggling to have much impact with the ball. Mourinho left for the changing rooms in the 43rd minute so United supporters will hope that an extra couple of minutes has led to some decisive tinkering.

The two teams are making their way back out onto the pitch in North London. We await news of changes, if there have been any.

KICKOFF! United get us back underway. No changes.

LATEST! A quick update on some of the other games. Man City hold a narrow lead over West Bromwich Albion, but Chelsea are losing at home to Bournemouth. We will keep you posted.

Already, we are back to an end-to-end game. It didn't take long! I will repeat, this game is not ending 2-0. That is the same scoreline at Stamford Bridge, where Bournemouth lead!

CHANCE! Son has been in the thick of the action since the restart. An error from Young gives the attacker a chance to shoot from 20 yards but he drags his effort wide of De Gea's post.

LATEST! Chelsea are now losing 3-0! What is happening?! Click here to follow that game. It's a result which suits both United and Spurs.

Sanchez meets a corner with his head, and the ball goes straight at the hand of San. United appeal, but it would have been harsh on Spurs had the spot kick been awarded.

SAVE! For the first time in this match, Lukaku has an impact inside the penalty area. He holds off Vertonghen before lashing a half-volley towards the top corner, but Lloris makes an excellent save.

Tonight's attendance has just been announced as 81,978. It's the biggest-ever attendance in the Premier League.

One player who has been excellent tonight is Alli. The midfielder hasn't been consistent this season but he has certainly been "on it" tonight. An hour gone and Spurs remain in control of this match.

Martial almost gets in behind the Spurs defence but Vertonghen shows a turn of pace to get back and make an inch-perfect tackle. Here come some United changes...

SUBSTITUTION! Fellaini and Mata are being introduced, with Pogba and Lingard going off. Big calls from Mourinho.

If results stay the same, just five points will separate second-placed United and fifth-placed Spurs. It's all closing up. Arsenal will be kicking themselves after losing to Swansea City last night.

SHOT! Spurs almost wrap up this match. Eriksen gets a shot in from around 25 yards and his effort goes inches wide of the far post.

CHANCE! Another chance for Spurs. Eriksen allows Son's pass to go through his legs for Kane to get a shot away, but the striker scuffs his effort and De Gea makes an easy save.

CHANCE! Kane is fuming and so he should be. Son gets free in the box and only needs to pass the ball across to Kane who is waiting for a tap-in, but the South Korean shoots and is denied by De Gea.

SUBSTITUTION! A third change for United and Herrera is on for Fellaini, who is showing no signs of injury. Massive talking point here. He's been hooked after less than 10 minutes.

Spurs are running rings around United. That's perhaps why Mourinho has brought on defensive-minded Herrera. It's not going to help them going forward.

BOOKING! Young is booked for a foul on Son after a long period of possession for Spurs.

SHOTS! Kane is still searching for this 100th Premier League goal. First of all, he sends a 25-yard effort over the crossbar before moments later, the England international drags a shot wide of the far post from inside the penalty area.

SHOT! Spurs are outclassing United here. Dier almost has too many options on the edge of the area and his shot ends up being deflected wide of the target.

SUBSTITUTION! After a stoppage in play, we finally get around to Spurs' first switch, with Lamela coming on for Son, who fails to score for the sixth successive home fixture in the Premier League.

This game still isn't over, despite Spurs being well on top. I wouldn't put it past United getting back into this contest but time is running out. Sanchez has done nothing.

BOOKING! There isn't even a nervousness about Spurs. They are assured in possession as well as in defence. However, Alli has just committed a needless foul on Sanchez and is rightly booked.

Is this going to be Kane's moment? Lamela's smart pass finds the forward, who is brought down on the edge of the penalty area. There's only one man taking this.

SUBSTITUTION! Before the change, Sissoko replaces Alli, who leaves the pitch to a standing ovation.

SHOT! The free kick is deflected over the bar. That was an anti-climax.

There will be three minutes of added-on time.

To their credit, United are still fighting but their last chance goes begging as Lukaku commits a foul when trying to meet Mata's pass.

FULL TIME: Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Manchester United

The full-time whistle goes at Wembley Stadium and Spurs have recorded a deserved 2-0 win over Manchester United. The visitors had their moments during the first hour but the expected fightback did not materialise and Spurs will wonder how they did not prevail by a wider margin.

That will be all from Sports Mole for this match. Thank you for joining us this evening and we hope to see you again soon.

If you would like to read our on-the-whistle match report, you can do so by clicking here. Goodbye for now.


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Antonio Valencia and Dele Alli in action during the Premier League game between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur on October 28, 2017
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