DANCING THE TANGUY

Ndombele takes the lead with stunning goal to seal win and ensure it doesn’t go Spursy for Jose again

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IT WAS a wonderful moment of pure genius from Tanguy Ndombele.

And an important moment for Jose Mourinho in the context of Tottenham’s season as victory pushed them back into the fringes of a wide open title race.

Ndombele (above) was almost moving backwards and, with the most outrageous piece of audacious skill, hooked a right-footed shot over the advancing Sheffield United keeper Aaron Ramsdale.

It was a breathtaking goal, one which will surely be the best of Tottenham’s season if not a contender for the best of the

Premier League season. It was as if Ndombele had eyes in the back of his head.

But it also restored Spurs’ two-goal lead at a time when they were beginning to have a familiar wobble and looked vulnerable at Bramall Lane.

Tottenham have been guilty of throwing away leads on too many occasions this season – particularly late on – when dropped points have cost them dear, as it did against Fulham in midweek. You could sense that boss Mourinho even got irritated in a pre-match TV interview when asked why his side have not been able to kill off games.

In typical Mourinho fashion, the Special

One blamed his players for not following his instructions and so, presumably, he will be taking all the credit this time as they did just that. You wonder where

Tottenham would be if they had not conceded late goals to Newcastle, West Ham, Crystal Palace, Liverpool, Wolves and Fulham. They have not been ruthless enough, but the season remains open for everyone. It seems a world away from last season when the Blades beat Spurs 3-1 in July with Chris Wilder’s men pushing for Europe, which felt like

Mourinho’s lowest point at the club. At least United, buoyed by their first Premier League win of the season in midweek, showed some fight this time as they pushed Tottenham.

But Spurs have come a long way since those difficult days in lockdown, particularly Ndombele, who did not look to have a future under Mourinho last season until his renaissance this term.

Ndombele is an outrageous talent, he looks a midfield powerhouse, but is actually more about intelligence, passing and vision. For all the criticism of the Spurs boss not using the talent of Gareth Bale, Dele Alli or Harry Winks, then maybe Ndombele is the best answer he can give.

A mercurial talent back in the fold. But then when a club pays £64million and he is this good, then you have to play him.

Tottenham were terrific from the start, Heung-Min Son’s pace tearing apart the home defence.

Son’s fifth-minute near-post corner caused chaos, Serge Aurier (above, top) was unmarked and headed in the opener.

It was 2-0 just before half-time. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg won the ball in midfield and Kane (above, middle) buried a brilliant low 20-yard shot into the corner beyond Ramsdale, who has struggled this season.

But credit United. They did not buckle this time. They got back into the game in the 59th minute.

John Fleck’s left-wing cross was flicked in by David McGoldrick’s super header.

Suddenly Tottenham looked as if they might throw away another lead. Then came Ndombele. Just 172 seconds later. The France midfielder swapped passes with Steven Bergwijn before, almost without looking, lifting the ball over Ramsdale into the far corner.

It was a beautiful goal. Worthy of deciding any game. And it certainly did that for Tottenham.