Tottenham 0 - 0 Man Utd

Tottenham   0 - 0   Man Utd

Crouch had a great chance to score for Spurs but shot just wide

By Phil McNulty
BBC Sport at White Hart Lane

Manchester United extended their unbeaten record in the Premier League this season to 21 games and returned to the top of the table with an important draw at Tottenham.

David Beckham was at White Hart Lane to see the club he hopes to play for face the one he graced for so long - but for all the effort and quality on show the encounter descended into a scrappy affair.

United were forced to play the last 16 minutes without young Brazilian defender Rafael, who received a second yellow card for a foul on Benoit Assou-Ekotto, but they survived as Spurs were unable to muster the attacking threat that has made them such an impressive force at home and abroad this season.

Wayne Rooney remains out of sorts but also produced two of United's real moments of danger when he wasted an early chance and forced a fine save from Spurs keeper Heurelho Gomes early in the second half.

Van der Sar happy with point at Tottenham

The north Londoners had opportunities of their own, with both Peter Crouch and Rafael van der Vaart coming agonisingly close in the first period as they attempted to convert crosses from Alan Hutton and Gareth Bale.

It was a result that suited United's purposes more than Spurs' and Sir Alex Ferguson will be satisfied that they managed to contain one of their potential title rivals on home territory without ever threatening to hit the heights.

United moved back ahead of arch-rivals Manchester City on goal difference but crucially have two games in hand as they maintain their bid to win a record 19th title.

Tottenham had hoped to make a statement of real intent against the title pace-setters and while manager Harry Redknapp did not secure the victory he craved, he at least saw his side match United every stride of the way in a game that fizzled out after a bristling start.

Rooney was fit to return to United's line-up after missing two games with an ankle injury - and he was in the thick of the action right away as he raced on to Dimitar Berbatov's pass only to send a presentable finish wide from an acute angle.

PHIL McNULTY'S BLOG United, while not currently the flamboyant attacking force of old, are showing a resilience and a defensive solidity that wins titles

The opening exchanges were rich in quality and a wonderful passage of build-up play from Spurs ended with Crouch meeting Hutton's right-wing cross but his effort was narrowly off-target.

As the early sparkle faded into a war of attrition, Rafael was fortunate to escape with only a booking for a late lunge on Wilson Palacios, who swiftly exacted revenge - although the Brazilian's demand that referee Mike Dean produce the yellow card did him no credit.

Spurs ended the half in the ascendancy and Van der Vaart was again inches away from giving them the lead when he met Bale's cross but his header flew wide.

It was United who started more impressively after the break as Michael Carrick headed Ryan Giggs' corner across the face of the goal and wide, while Rooney forced Gomes into a fine fingertip save to turn away his low drive from 20 yards.

Ferguson made a change on the hour when he sent on Anderson for the subdued Nani, moving Rooney out into a wider right-flank role in the process.

Redknapp takes heart despite draw

As Ferguson prepared to send Paul Scholes into the action, Rafael was sent off for his second yellow card after tripping Assou-Ekotto. He reacted furiously as he went down the tunnel and Rooney picked up a booking for a rant in the direction of referee Dean after the decision.

It prompted an exchange of substitutions as Jermain Defoe replaced Palacios and Javier Hernandez came on for Berbatov, who had failed to shine against his former club.

There was to be no dramatic ending, however, and both Redknapp and Ferguson were forced to settle for a share of the spoils.

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Sunday, 16 January 2011

Barclays Premier League

Home Team	Score	Away Team	Time
Tottenham	0-0	Man Utd	FT
(HT 0-0)

Tottenham

• 01 Gomes
• 02 Hutton
• 03 Bale
• 13 Gallas
• 20 Dawson
• 32 Assou-Ekotto
• 07 Lennon
• 11 Van der Vaart yellow card
• 12 Palacios yellow card (Defoe 78)
• 14 Modric
• 15 Crouch

Substitutes

• 23 Cudicini,
• 19 Bassong,
• 22 Corluka,
• 08 Jenas,
• 21 Kranjcar,
• 09 Pavlyuchenko,
• 18 Defoe

Man Utd

• 01 Van der Sar
• 03 Evra yellow card
• 05 Ferdinand
• 15 Vidic
• 21 Rafael two yellow cards, red card
• 11 Giggs
• 16 Carrick
• 17 Nani (Anderson 61)
• 24 Fletcher yellow card
• 09 Berbatov (Hernandez 78)
• 10 Rooney yellow card

Substitutes

• 29 Kuszczak,
• 12 Smalling,
• 23 Evans,
• 08 Anderson,
• 18 Scholes,
• 07 Owen,
• 14 Hernandez

Ref: DeanAtt: 35,828

TOTTENHAM

MAN UTD

Possession

• Tottenham 59%
• Man Utd 41%

Attempts on target

• Tottenham 6
• Man Utd 4

Attempts off target

• Tottenham 10
• Man Utd 3

Corners

• Tottenham 8
• Man Utd 2

Fouls

• Tottenham 9
• Man Utd 18

• Final Result
• Full Time
• 90:00+4:24 The referee blows for the end of the match.
• 90:00+3:54 Centre by Benoit Assou-Ekotto, clearance made by Ryan Giggs.
• 90:00+1:58 The official flags Peter Crouch offside. Edwin Van der Sar takes the free kick.
• 90:00+1:37 Jermain Defoe takes a shot. Nemanja Vidic gets a block in.
• 89:30 Benoit Assou-Ekotto delivers the ball, William Gallas produces a header from deep inside the six-yard box that clears the crossbar.
• 88:41 Corner taken by Luka Modric from the right by-line.
• 87:33 The assistant referee signals for offside against Javier Hernandez. Indirect free kick taken by Michael Dawson.
• 86:28 Wayne Rooney concedes a free kick for a foul on Luka Modric. The free kick is swung in left-footed by Benoit Assou-Ekotto.
• 85:28 Foul by Nemanja Vidic on Jermain Defoe, free kick awarded. Free kick crossed left-footed by Rafael Van der Vaart, clearance made by Nemanja Vidic.
• 83:49 Javier Hernandez gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Michael Dawson. Free kick taken by Michael Dawson.
• 83:20 Jermain Defoe produces a left-footed shot from just outside the box that misses to the right of the net.
• 82:53 Free kick awarded for a foul by Ryan Giggs on Luka Modric. William Gallas restarts play with the free kick.
• 80:16 Effort on goal by Rafael Van der Vaart from just inside the area clears the crossbar.
• 79:54 Rafael Van der Vaart decides to take a short corner.
• 79:24 Centre by Alan Hutton, save by Edwin Van der Sar.
• 77:48 Substitution Javier Hernandez replaces Dimitar Berbatov.
• 77:25 Substitution (Tottenham) makes a substitution, with Jermain Defoe coming on for Wilson Palacios.
• 74:18 Peter Crouch produces a left-footed shot from inside the area that clears the bar.
• 73:38 Unfair challenge on Benoit Assou-Ekotto by Rafael Da Silva results in a free kick. Rafael Van der Vaart takes the direct free kick.
• 73:38 Booking Wayne Rooney receives a caution.
• 73:14 Sent off Rafael Da Silva is sent off.
• 68:36 The assistant referee signals for offside against Dimitar Berbatov. Indirect free kick taken by Heurelho Gomes.
• 67:42 Rafael Van der Vaart takes a shot. Blocked by Nemanja Vidic.
• 66:07 The ball is delivered by Darren Fletcher, clearance by Luka Modric.
• 65:41 Gareth Bale sends in a cross, save by Edwin Van der Sar.
• 64:46 Handball decision goes against Ryan Giggs. Free kick taken by Alan Hutton.
• 63:59 Shot by Wilson Palacios from outside the box goes over the net.
• 62:18 Corner taken by Rafael Van der Vaart played to the near post, Darren Fletcher makes a clearance.
• 62:13 Gareth Bale delivers the ball, Nemanja Vidic makes a clearance.
• 61:50 Rafael Da Silva takes a shot. Comfortable save by Heurelho Gomes.
• 60:54 Substitution Luis Nani goes off and Oliveira Anderson comes on.
• 59:45 The ball is delivered by Luis Nani, clearance made by Michael Dawson.
• 59:27 Gareth Bale delivers the ball, Rio Ferdinand manages to make a clearance.
• 58:00 Wilson Palacios takes a shot from 35 yards and missed to the right of the net.
• 56:44 Patrice Evra gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Aaron Lennon. The free kick is swung in left-footed by Rafael Van der Vaart, save by Edwin Van der Sar.
• 56:44 Booking Patrice Evra receives a caution.
• 56:11 Luka Modric produces a left-footed shot from just outside the box that goes wide right of the target.
• 53:30 Rafael Van der Vaart fouled by Nemanja Vidic, the ref awards a free kick. Direct effort from the free kick comes in from Rafael Van der Vaart.
• 52:17 Unfair challenge on Luis Nani by Aaron Lennon results in a free kick. Luis Nani takes the free kick.
• 51:50 Corner taken right-footed by Luis Nani from the left by-line, save by Heurelho Gomes.
• 51:38 Wayne Rooney takes a shot. Save made by Heurelho Gomes.
• 49:35 Corner taken left-footed by Ryan Giggs, Michael Carrick produces a header from close range which goes wide of the left-hand post.
• 47:08 Shot from just outside the box by Ryan Giggs misses to the left of the goal.
• 45:01 The referee starts the second half.
• Half Time
• 45:00+2:00 The ref blows to signal half-time.
• 45:00+0:55 Free kick awarded for a foul by Darren Fletcher on Gareth Bale. The free kick is swung in right-footed by Luka Modric, save by Edwin Van der Sar.
• 45:00+0:55 Booking Booking for Darren Fletcher for unsporting behaviour.
• 45:00+0:05 Ryan Giggs fouled by Peter Crouch, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Edwin Van der Sar.
• 43:56 Luka Modric gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Luis Nani. Rio Ferdinand takes the direct free kick.
• 42:47 The ball is swung over by Gareth Bale, Close range headed effort by Rafael Van der Vaart goes wide of the left-hand post.
• 41:13 The ball is crossed by Benoit Assou-Ekotto, clearance made by Nemanja Vidic.
• 41:01 Centre by Benoit Assou-Ekotto, clearance by Nemanja Vidic.
• 36:01 Wilson Palacios concedes a free kick for a foul on Rafael Da Silva. Rio Ferdinand crosses the ball in from the free kick.
• 36:01 Booking The referee books Wilson Palacios for unsporting behaviour.
• 33:29 The ball is delivered by Wayne Rooney.
• 32:33 Gareth Bale sends in a cross.
• 32:17 Free kick awarded for a foul by Ryan Giggs on Aaron Lennon. Aaron Lennon restarts play with the free kick.
• 31:32 Ryan Giggs is penalised for a handball. William Gallas takes the direct free kick.
• 30:19 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Peter Crouch by Nemanja Vidic. Gareth Bale produces a strike on goal direct from the free kick, Edwin Van der Sar makes a save.
• 30:08 Unfair challenge on Benoit Assou-Ekotto by Luis Nani results in a free kick. Benoit Assou-Ekotto takes the direct free kick.
• 29:11 Patrice Evra concedes a free kick for a foul on Rafael Van der Vaart. Alan Hutton restarts play with the free kick.
• 27:06 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Wilson Palacios by Rafael Da Silva. Free kick taken by William Gallas.
• 27:06 Booking Rafael Da Silva booked for unsporting behaviour.
• 25:02 Michael Dawson has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the left-hand post.
• 24:51 Rafael Van der Vaart has a drilled shot. Blocked by Dimitar Berbatov.
• 24:32 Rafael Van der Vaart decides to take the corner short.
• 24:26 Gareth Bale produces a cross.
• 23:03 Corner taken left-footed by Rafael Van der Vaart, Edwin Van der Sar makes a comfortable save.
• 22:57 Rafael Van der Vaart crosses the ball, Nemanja Vidic manages to make a clearance.
• 22:09 Wayne Rooney takes a shot. Save by Heurelho Gomes.
• 21:55 Wilson Palacios gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Michael Carrick. Michael Carrick takes the free kick.
• 20:42 Rafael Van der Vaart concedes a free kick for a foul on Wayne Rooney. Free kick taken by Luis Nani.
• 20:42 Booking Rafael Van der Vaart receives a caution for unsporting behaviour.
• 18:28 The ball is swung over by Gareth Bale.
• 15:37 Foul by Ryan Giggs on William Gallas, free kick awarded. Heurelho Gomes restarts play with the free kick.
• 14:55 Centre by Wayne Rooney, Michael Dawson manages to make a clearance.
• 14:46 Darren Fletcher fouled by Wilson Palacios, the ref awards a free kick. Darren Fletcher takes the free kick.
• 13:14 Ryan Giggs gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Aaron Lennon. Rafael Van der Vaart crosses the ball from the free kick left-footed from right wing. The offside flag is raised against Peter Crouch. Edwin Van der Sar takes the free kick.
• 13:04 The ball is sent over by Alan Hutton, clearance made by Rio Ferdinand.
• 12:06 Rafael Van der Vaart takes a inswinging corner from the right by-line to the near post, clearance made by Dimitar Berbatov.
• 10:36 Short corner taken by Rafael Van der Vaart from the left by-line.
• 9:56 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Michael Dawson by Dimitar Berbatov. Heurelho Gomes takes the free kick.
• 8:54 Peter Crouch produces a right-footed shot from deep inside the penalty area which goes wide of the right-hand post.
• 8:03 Rafael Van der Vaart gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Nemanja Vidic. Nemanja Vidic takes the direct free kick.
• 7:53 Wayne Rooney takes a shot. Heurelho Gomes makes a save.
• 7:44 Luis Nani crosses the ball, Alan Hutton manages to make a clearance.
• 6:22 Unfair challenge on Wilson Palacios by Michael Carrick results in a free kick. Strike on goal comes in from Rafael Van der Vaart from the free kick, save by Edwin Van der Sar.
• 5:39 Foul by Luis Nani on Luka Modric, free kick awarded. Michael Dawson takes the direct free kick.
• 4:22 Corner from left by-line taken by Rafael Van der Vaart.
• 1:47 Wayne Rooney has an effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the left of the target.
• 1:16 Gareth Bale challenges Rafael Da Silva unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Rafael Da Silva.
• 0:00 The referee gets the match started.

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