Just what the doctor as United fight back
Strike makes the difference in a forgettable affair
compared to seeing his side slip two goals behind. Jonjo Shelvey’s cross was missed by Eric Bailly, and Yoshinori Muto turned smartly past Young and beat De Gea for pace to score his first goal for Newcastle.
Shelvey tried his luck for a third, and it needed De Gea at full stretch to beat it behind as United threatened to implode.
Mourinho had seen enough and decided to make a change with Juan Mata sent on in place of the hapless Bailly with the clock not even at 20 minutes.
It prompted a reshuffle as a week after playing in a back three at West Ham, Scott Mctominay was asked to drop back into central defence.
But they should then have halved the deficit after a brilliant cross by Romelu Lukaku, only for an unmarked Marcus Rashford to head wide from six yards out.
United continued to look disjointed and vulnerable to any pressure and De Gea was scrambling to keep out a close range header from Muto to prevent further damage. Passes were going astray, they were being caught in possession and Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka was not required to make a serious save.
Half time brought another tactical switch as Mctominay was sacrificed in favour of Marouane Fellaini and Nemanja Matic moved into the back four.
But the Serbian should have scored after Dubravka parried Paul Pogba’s low drive into his path, but he sidefooted over with the goal gaping.
Sanchez was the last roll of the dice for Mourinho midway through the half, and moments later Mata provided a lifeline when he curled in an expert free-kick.
Momentum shifted to United and they built up a real head of steam. Twice in a minute, Dubravka prevented an equaliser with good saves to deny Fellaini and then Chris Smalling.
But there was nothing the goalkeeper could do as Anthony Martial combined with Pogba and fired home in a moment of magic. Newcastle nearly restored their lead from Mohamed Diame’s deflected header and it needed Lukaku to be in the right place to clear the danger.
However, there was still a sting in the tail and Sanchez’s winner was exactly that.
Warnock said at his post-match media conference: “You don’t go off like that. He (Kane) is doing that to make an issue of it, to get the referee thinking (it was) worse than what it is.
“An England player going off like that, dear me. He went straight in and pushed him. Why not give him a red?
“I don’t think you should try to get other pros sent off, just because he’s had a poor game and Spurs were having a poor game. He shouldn’t take it out on us.”
Warnock believes Dean was poised to produce a yellow card, but was swayed by his assistants and the Spurs players and bench.
He added: “I thought it was a very soft one to say the least. He said violent conduct. I don’t see it being violent conduct. I think it was cynical.
“I think he went for his yellow pocket. All afternoon there’s been busy people around him. He said it was a group decision.
“The experienced linesman down that side, Darren whatever you call him (Cann). I think he had a poor afternoon and it wouldn’t surprise me if he didn’t contribute to that.
“He got influenced. I think Mike Dean doesn’t need influencing. He’s a top referee. I think he should’ve gone with his instinct, like he was going to do, and gone with a yellow card. I don’t think it helped being surrounded by 15 white shirts.”
The challenge took place directly in front of Mauricio Pochettino’s technical area and the Spurs boss was in no doubt the decision was correct.
“Where I was in that moment it was ‘off, red card’. The same reaction as the referee,” said Pochettino.
The Spurs boss swerved entering a public debate with Warnock.
“I understand if they complain about the situation,” Pochettino added.
“We cannot take seriously what happened in that moment on the pitch.
“He’s so expressive. He shows a lot of passion.
“I don’t know him in his life, but in football he’s a manager I respect a lot.”
Eric Dier’s first Tottenham goal since April 2017 put the hosts in front after eight minutes. 71 10 1
16 2 0
Possession
10 Shots on target 8 8 Shots off target 5
Co r n e r s Offside
Fouls Ca u t i o n s Sending- of fs
REF WATCH: ANTHONY TAYLOR
was kept busy in a match that was played at a frantic pace. STAR MAN
had a fine game. The Japanese star scored his first goal in England and was a danger.
TURNING POINT
29 6 0
8 2
0
YOSHINORI MUTO
But Spurs missed numerous opportunities to extend their lead and were relieved to see a header from Sean Morrison rebound off a post, as Cardiff slipped to the bottom of the table.
“I think it wasn’t the best performance. We fully deserved the victory and the three points,” Pochettino added.
“Being honest, we need to improve a lot, we need to kill the games, we need to have more control, be more calm when you play at home.
“We can play better and we need to play better if we want to be a contender at the end to be in the top four.”
Danny Rose went off with a groin problem, but will report for England duty, with Pochettino hoping it is not too serious.