Tottenham come from behind twice to draw with Manchester United
Tottenham twice came from behind to draw 2-2 at Manchester United in the English Premier League (EPL) yesterday, as British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe attended his first match since agreeing a deal for a partial takeover at Old Trafford.
Ratcliffe’s agreement to buy a 25 per cent stake and take control of football operations has brought some hope to Manchester United, who have fallen off the top of the English game under their owners, the Glazer family.
But it is a long way back, and fans will continue to protest the Americans’ involvement, no matter how diminished, with Ratcliffe getting a firsthand look at the challenge he is taking on in the draw with Spurs.
The 71-year-old Ratcliffe, who grew up supporting United, sat next to former manager Alex Ferguson in the directors’ box at Old Trafford and only had to wait three minutes to celebrate as summer signing Rasmus Hojlund hammered home a shot into the roof of the net.
Richarlison headed in a 19th-minute equaliser from a corner for his sixth goal in as many EPL matches, but Marcus Rashford put the hosts back ahead in the 40th after a one-two with Hojlund.
Cristian Romero rattled the United crossbar in stoppage time and, 49 seconds into the second half, Rodrigo Bentancur slammed Spurs level after capitalising on some sloppy home defending.
Ange Postecoglou’s visitors looked most likely to win it, but United avoided a 10th EPL loss in front of Ratcliffe and his INEOS team.
VILLA DRAW
Meanwhile, Aston Villa missed a chance to go level on points with leaders Liverpool by drawing 0-0 at Everton in a lacklustre match.
Emiliano Martinez, Villa’s Argentina goalkeeper, pulled off the best save when he spread his legs to deny Dominic Calvert-Lewin in a one-on-one chance just before half-time. Martinez got up and was soon diving to his left to tip aside a follow-up shot from James Garner.
Villa barely threatened at the other end until late on, though looked to have taken the lead in the 18th when Alex Moreno drilled home a shot from the edge of the area. After a long VAR check, the goal was ruled out for offside in the buildup.
In a dominant end to the match by Aston Villa, Matty Cash’s goalbound shot was blocked near the line by a sprawling challenge from Jarrad Branthwaite, and Jhon Durán later flicked a finish just wide.
Villa stayed in third place, level on points with Manchester City in second and two behind Liverpool, who don’t play until next weekend in a round of fixtures played over two weeks amid England’s short winter break.