Spurs team: Friedel; Walker (Corluka); Dawson; Kaboul; Assou-Ekotto; Lennon; Livermore (Huddlestone); Kranjcar (Pavlyuchenko); Bale; Van der Vaart; Defoe.
Losing to this Manchester United team at Old Trafford isn’t cause to call the Samaritans, in spite of what some Spurs fans would have you believe. It is cause to call Daniel Levy back from America and get the cheque book out though. Most of Spurs problems are the same as they’ve always been – lack of leaders on the pitch, lack of a top class forward able to play on his own, too many lapses of concentration at the back to name the biggest issues – and could have been solved with some positive action in any of the last three transfer windows. That said Harry Redknapp should be able to take a number of positives from this game; Brad Friedel with a fine debut despite the scoreline, Younes Kaboul looking in fine form and Jake Livermore playing above expectations on his first Premier League start.
Both teams were missing key players and it was thought that Spurs attack would be able to get at a seemingly inexperienced and vulnerable defence. As United shot out of the blocks, the first 10 minutes made it seem that Spurs would never get the chance to test that theory. As happened often throughout the game, the rock that United foundered on was Younes Kaboul, his first crucial tackle coming after just 30 seconds, taking the ball of Welbeck’s toe in the box. Kaboul in the first half especially looked every inch the successor to Ledley King. He showed great strength, pace and timing throughout the evening and was often there to mop up through balls, make crucial tackles or just steer forwards off the ball.
One of Niko Kranjcar’s limitations in central midfield is his work rate or lack of it and his failure to track back allowed Tom Cleverley the opportunity to test Spurs new keeper with a clever curling shot. Friedel belied his age, doing well to get down and palm round the post. This should have been the cue for Anderson and Cleverley to overrun Kranjcar and Livermore but to Spurs credit they started to get in the game and see more of the ball. Livermore in particular showed great determination and drive in winning the ball and getting it to one of his more creative team mates. That plan didn’t always work as Kranjcar and a frustrating/frustrated Van der Vaart failed to find the killer ball.Thursdays electric movement off the ball was missing and that clearly didn’t help anyone find a final ball.
Of course you have to credit United’s alleged weak defence, all of them played their part in a very organised back line. Phil Jones is *insert lazy future England centre back/captain comment here* already looking every inch a United player, he even gets the favourable treatment from referee’s. Jones was lucky to get away with a clear trip on Bale on one of the (far too) few occasions the Welsh winger got the ball and ran at the back line.
Despite the encouraging first half performance Sir Alex Ferguson must have been equally encouraged, United offered as much threat as Spurs had in an even first half. Younes Kaboul almost spoiled his performance with an unnecessary clash with expert wind up merchant Nani. Without wishing to condone violence on the pitch, inevitable red card aside, would anyone have complained too much if he’d properly nutted Nani?
As the teams came back out for the second half, Vedran Corluka replaced Kyle Walker at right back. Walker had a decent first half but it emerged that he had vomited at half time, having been ill all day. Surely the visit to the Bernabeu last season and what happened with Aaron Lennon should have been a lesson learned? Apparently not and a subsitute was wasted almost. With the midfield already weakened by absences it belies belief that a player who clearly wasn’t at full fitness should be picked to start at Old Trafford. That said, Redknapp obviously said something to fire up his team as Spurs roared into action in the second half. Improved passing and movement was the order of the day, unfortunately either on the managers instructions or through sheer selfishness, Bale and Defoe both spurned good opportunities to play team mates in on goal.
This was then topped by a complete lack of awareness or decision making by Lennon as he beat Evra convincingly, not for the first time, and then proceeded to ignore a wide open Van der Vaart in favour of trying to cross through a United defender. Van der Vaart’s frustration was plain to see as he bellowed at Lennon. Luckily Rafa’s aggression didn’t result in disciplinary trouble but as the game wore on he looked an increasinlgly frustrated man. Van der Vaart was more guilty than most of the shoot on sight tactic that Spurs had talked up prior to the game and although De Gea did look shaky on one late shot, he never looked the liability Spurs may have hoped he would be. At least Van der Vaart is a character and a leader though and to use an Americanism, he left everything on the field last night. There were a number of others that can’t say the same and although both wingers had brief sparks of threatening, neither can be satisfied with their performances. Unfortunately the same can be said for Jermain Defoe, again looking ineffective against a big team. He did rattle the post at 2-0 down after a De Gea flap at a cross but that was the sum of his threat. It’s obvious he’s better in a proper strike partnership but even still a too frequent bad touch or lack of vision let him down.
Weathering Spurs early second half burst, Anderson and Cleverley then started to get a grip on the game and dominate Livermore and Kranjcar. Cleverley it was who provided the ball for the breakthrough. His ball into the centre found Welbeck in space between the centrebacks and Welbeck’s header left Friedel with no chance. United grew in confidence from that moment on and clearly looked to go for the jugular and Spurs seemed to shrink into themselves. Friedel was called on to make a number of saves, including a fine double save from Nani then Welbeck. Harry Redknapp tried to change things using his remaining two subs to bring Huddlestone and Pavlyuchenko on. The decision to remove both Livermore and Kranjcar then drop Van der Vaart back into the centre was mystifying, in a midfield that’s being overrun the last thing you want to do is remove the only player who has any defensive instincts. Van der Vaart never looks comfortable in the centre and it was no different this time.
United’s second wasn’t long in coming and was a direct result of the self-softened midfield as Young, Rooney, Welbeck and Anderson combined in style for the Brazilian midfielder to slot home. Despite the class shown in the move, a midfielder tracking back with Anderson could have prevented the goal. The third goal came after United had made a triple substitution, bringing Giggs, Park and Chicharito off the bench highlighting the gulf in squad depth and quality. Giggs it was who provided the cross for Rooney to head home the third. If the managers midfield decisions cost the second goal, then there is no doubt that Michael Dawson was guilty of switching off and allowing Rooney freedom of Spurs penalty area, again Friedel had no chance. Dawson provides an interesting conundrum, he is one of the few who really show passion on the pitch and is clearly ready to run through brick walls but as shown last night and pretty much anytime he’s put up against the best he just isn’t good enough. His poor decision making and lack of concentration is a liability at the highest level, for years first King then Gallas have covered for him. Now it’s Kaboul’s turn and he did extremely well for much of the game but is still developing into the centre back role and probably would have hoped his more senior partner would help him out more.
Once they had scored make no mistake, this United team were dominant and unrelenting in their efforts to put the game to bed. It may have been one of the youngest sides Sir Alex has ever put out (average age 23) however they showed the mental fortitude of champions and that was the difference.
Harry Redknapp now needs to find a way to lift his team, Thursday sees Hearts visit The Lane for what must be hoped is a formality in the Europa League second leg, but more importantly on Sunday, Manchesters other club visit in the Premier League. City have been on fire at the start of the season, though on Sunday they showed uncharacteristic defensive frailties. This could provide some hope to Redknapp however he’ll need to find a midfield capable of getting the ball to the front four and hoping they can all turn up if Spurs are to get anything out of that game.
Off the field much needs to be sorted, the Modric situation needs to be put to bed and Spurs simply have to make moves in the transfer market. The long discussed Diarra and Adebayor deals must be wrapped up, they both have the skill sets that Spurs were crying out for last night and in fact for much of last season.
After such a long wait for Premier League action, last nights defeat and particularly the lack of fight after they scored are massive dissappointments. Again though it should be remembered that the opponents are the reigning champions for good reason, as United have shown in their three matches already this season. It’s also worth reminding yourself that stronger Spurs sides over the last 22 years have failed to come away from Old Trafford with a result. This was start of the Premier League campaign, whilst improvement is clearly needed it’s ridiculous to suggest the season and Spurs chances are over already or that last night was anything more than the tough start it was always going to be.
COYS
Stuart Watts ( @Studub on Twitter )
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