Manchester United triumph over Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 proved that they can score goals without in-form striker Wayne Rooney who looks to be out for the rest of the campaign due to a groin injury. With Ryan Giggs finding the net twice thanks to two penalties and Nani scoring from a superb chip. The win for United puts them into the current lead of the League, two-points ahead from Chelsea. The pressure is now on Chelsea yet again to come up with the good against Stoke City. United showed a cohesive display in the first half with Berbatov leading the attack. United had a number of chances to take the lead, through Berbatov with Paul Scholes wining the ball on the edge of Tottenham penalty area and then passing it to Berbatov but his control letting him down and allowing Gomes to dive for the loose ball.
United broke the dead lock in the second half with Berbatov making a excellent run into the Tottenham penalty area then playing a pass to Evra who was taken down by Assous-Ekotto and the referee awarding the penalty. Ryan Giggs made to no mistake and converted the spot kick into the bottom left hand corner pass Gomes.
With United dominating Tottenham made two changes with Eidur Gudjohnsen and Aaron Lennon coming on for Jermain Defoe and David Bentley. These two changes benefiting Tottenham, equalizing at the 70th minute through a header from their captain Leadley King.
With ten minutes remaining in the match anything less than a win would make their chance of any Premier League title would be gone. Sir Alex Ferguson making a attacking substation bringing on Federico Macheda on for Rafael, with Darren Fletcher slotting into the right back position. This change paying dividends with Macheda receiving a pass from Fletcher before threading the ball into Nani who chipped the ball over Gomes giving united the lead again 2-1.
United extended their lead further when Nani made a surging run from the halfway line, getting into the penalty area before Wilson Palacios clumsily barged into Nani, taking him down the referee awarding another penalty. Giggs again slotted the ball past Gomes to seal the points for United.
sources for images
http://www.premiershiptalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/nani-celebrates.jpg
http://www.premierleague.com/page/Headlines/0,,12306~2033831,00.html
posted by mike-manutd
