Tottenham vs Man United

Recap

James Maddison marked his return from injury with the winning goal as Tottenham defeated Manchester United 1-0 in a crucial Premier League match. Maddison, out for nearly four weeks due to a calf injury, was the only player following up after United’s goalkeeper Andre Onana parried Lucas Bergvall’s shot, tapping in for the 13th-minute lead.

Manchester United had opportunities to equalize, with Alejandro Garnacho missing a chance in the first half by lifting his shot over the bar when through on goal. Despite some attacking moments, United’s display was uninspiring, and they failed to capitalize on their chances.

Tottenham’s win, their first in three games, comes after consecutive cup defeats to Liverpool and Aston Villa. The victory lifts them to 12th in the Premier League table, above Manchester United. Meanwhile, Ruben Amorim’s injury-hit United side drop to 15th place, now 12 points clear of the relegation zone.

Before the match, over 1,000 Tottenham supporters protested against the club’s ownership and chairman Daniel Levy.

Maddison’s Impact:
Maddison was key in Tottenham’s performance, scoring his first Premier League goal since September. He was substituted in the 63rd minute as a precaution. Tottenham also saw a promising debut from Mathys Tel, who impressed on his first league start since joining on loan from Bayern Munich. However, despite the lead, Tottenham struggled to assert control, particularly in midfield, allowing United some chances to level.

United’s Struggles:
Injuries continued to plague United, with key players like Amad Diallo and Kobbie Mainoo sidelined, along with the absence of Christian Eriksen and Leny Yoro due to illness. Manager Ruben Amorim had to start 32-year-old Casemiro, whose struggles were evident as he was often exposed by Tottenham’s attacking trio. United’s bench was also heavily affected, with only Victor Lindelof being an experienced option. The visitors had opportunities to equalize, with Garnacho and Zirkzee both missing clear chances.

Player of the Match:

• Tottenham Hotspur’s Player of the Match: Djed Spence (7.52 rating)
• Second-best player: James Maddison (7.39 rating)
• Goalkeeper of the match: Guglielmo Vicario (7.14 rating)

Despite the win, Tottenham’s manager, Ange Postecoglou, will hope to build on this narrow victory to regain momentum after a tough run. Meanwhile, United’s injury crisis deepens as their disappointing season continues.

Match Stats:

• Tottenham’s Player Ratings:
  • D. Spence: 7.52
  • J. Maddison: 7.39
  • G. Vicario: 7.14
  • B. Davies: 6.67
  • D. Kulusevski: 6.60
• Manchester United’s Player Ratings:
  • Casemiro: 6.57
  • Bruno Fernandes: 6.54
  • Alejandro Garnacho: 6.09