Different season, different
manager, mostly different team, same result. Having waited twenty four years
for a win against Manchester United on their own turf, Spurs have really gotten
the taste for playing at Old Trafford after winning at the theatre of dreams
for a second successive season. On a wet and windy northern evening, Tim
Sherwood’s dream start to his managerial career continued as his bold, attacking
strategy was rewarded with his biggest scalp to date. Tim Sherwood had made it
his mission to release the handbrake from Spurs’ restrained play this season
and he picked a team to go toe to toe with a Manchester United side coming off
the back a six game winning streak. Capoue for the injured Paulinho was
enforced while in Kyle walker and Danny Rose, he had his best available full
backs. With Adebayor and Soldado continuing their promising partnership upfront
and Lennon, Dembele and Eriksson in the side, Spurs’ attacking intent was
clear.
United made the better start and dominated
the play early on as Spurs tried to get in the game. However, as Spurs settled,
their threat became apparent and was highlighted when in one lightening counter
attack, Adebayor and Soldado combined sweetly to free Lennon for a glorious
chance which goal keeper De Gea saved. Danny Rose was having an intriguing
battle with Antonio Valencia on the left flank while Kyle Walker kept a
watchful eye on the dangerous Adnan Januzaj. Rooney, who has a good scoring
record against Spurs, had to come deeper to get the ball which reduced his
considerable goal threat. Lennon was giving United full back Patrice Evra a
difficult afternoon. Eriksson probed intelligently while Adebayor and Soldado
linked up well. When Adebayor scored, it was not undeserved as Eriksson had
found space intelligently to cross and Adebayor guided his header past De Gea.
As half time approached, the tension could be sensed around this huge stadium.
Spurs looked reasonably comfortable and only an error or flash of inspiration
would get United back in the game. Hugo Lloris provided his customary heart in mouth
moments with a few flaps at crosses and the occasional rushed clearance while United
players resorted to diving for penalties at the lightest contact.
As the second half started and United
introduced attackers, Shinji Kagawa and Javier Hernandez to the fray, we waited
for the inevitable siege on Spurs’ goal. Instead, the opposite happened as
another searing counter attack ended with a second goal for Spurs as Eriksson,
enjoying one of his best games, stooped and headed home Aaron Lennon’s cross despite
the extremely close proximity of Valencia’s boot to his head. True Viking bravery
that. Spurs were in dreamland at the theatre of dreams. However, this is still
Spurs. They don’t quite do easy and most Spurs fans were still celebrating when
sixteen seconds of play later, United had scored and a previously deflated Old Trafford
crowd had been given its voice. Now it was really squeaky bum time. Adebayor
had been injured mysteriously and left worryingly on a stretcher. Ashley Young
joined the fray as United threw the kitchen sink at Spurs in a frantic attempt to
salvage the game. A now frenzied crowed, used for so long to late, heroic
comebacks under Alex Fergusson roared its encouragement. Five extra minutes of
added time meant more chewed fingernails in addition to the squeaky bums for
the Spurs faithful, up alone in the stands and millions watching in pubs and
homes around the world. Spurs defended resolutely to the end although Hugo
Lloris created one more heart in mouth moment with a reckless lunge at Ashley Young.
Old Trafford bayed for a penalty and probably some of Lloris’ blood! Such was
the tension. Thankfully, referee Howard Webb stood brave and resisted the
vociferous penalty appeals. For all his recklessness, Lloris had not touched
Young until he was mid-air and his reputation for diving probably went before
him. I've seen them given though. Alas, there was to be no more ‘fergie-time’
and at the final whistle, the roar of elation from Spurs fans and players could
probably be heard back at White Hart Lane and perhaps as far as a little corner
of Porto, Portugal where a certain Andre Villas Boas would perhaps have
watched, scarcely able to recognise the team stuffed at home by Liverpool just
two weeks ago. He would know how it feels to win at Old Trafford of course,
having achieved it just as impressively last season, one the highlights of an ultimately
unfulfilling tenure.
It used to be said that to win
the league, you have to finish above Manchester United. It is a measure of United’s
own struggle that this win, sadly for their fans in not unique as West Brom,
Newcastle and Everton have all won at Old Trafford this season. Spurs still
face a battle to finish in the top six never mind the top four but they are
most definitely in the mix in a season where most teams are dropping points
like confetti. It has to be said though that the top three of Arsenal,
Manchester City and Chelsea are starting to look ominously consistent.
Nonetheless, this was a big win
for Tim Sherwood. He may not have been the exotic, continental Adonis of a
manager that some fans wanted after AVB and his style is more Harry Redknapp
than Pep Guardiola. He may not have a coaching badge but certainly has tons of self-belief.
It takes belief and balls to throw on youth team players Nabil Bentaleb and
Harry Kane as substitutes in the white hot atmosphere of Old Trafford even if
his hands were forced a bit by injuries. His biggest success so far though has
been to get Adebayor firing in the first team. Some of his forward play was
magnificent and it was no coincidence that Spurs threat was greatly reduced
when he was injured. One hopes the injury is not too serious. Watching Adebayor,
one can’t escape the feeling that AVB really missed a trick by ignoring Adebayor’s
attributes so dismissively. A great coach finds a way to get the best players
in his team playing at their best. If Tim Sherwood can achieve this, there are enough
good players at Spurs to offer a season of real promise. A good start however
will count for nothing if his team falters as we enter the business end of the
season with cup games and league fixtures coming thick and fast. Speaking of
cup games, Tim only has a FA cup tie at league leaders Arsenal to look forward
to next. Not much time to savour one fine win. Welcome to the big time son.
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