Martial strike sinks Tottenham
PREMIER LEAGUE Frenchman’s late goal helps United claim vital three points, keep pressure on leaders Manchester City
MANCHESTER: Anthony Martial came off the bench to earn Manchester United a 1-0 win over title rivals Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Saturday.
The win also saw United go three points clear of their London rivals. France international Martial, currently battling to win a regular starting place under Jose Mourinho, did his chances no harm with the manner of his 81st minute winning goal, even if it was a curiously direct affair.
A long kick forward by David De Gea was headed on by Romelu Lukaku and Martial sprinted away from the Spurs back line before calmly beating the keeper with an excellent finish.
KANE’S ABSENCE
It was a disappointing way for Spurs to lose a game and the fact that the London club were without injured leading striker Harry Kane is bound to revive the debate over whether their bid to be crowned champions is too reliant on the England forward.
After being widely criticised for their negative approach in the recent goalless draw at Liverpool, United showed more ambition against another of the division’s top clubs on their own turf, although the result was still a lack of real goalscoring chances and entertainment.
Within two minutes, Lukaku chased onto a through ball and his low, driven cross-shot was well cut out by the alert Hugo Lloris, with Marcus Rashford poised in the middle in front of an open net.
Ashley Young’s penetrating run might have carved out a chance but his drag-back passed through the area and narrowly out of reach of three team mates before a 35-yard Rashford freekick was turned around the post by the diving goalkeeper.
Spurs, understandably given the absence of Kane, adopted a more cautious approach but grew into the game as the half progressed.
FEW CHANCES
Early chances of the game were limited to long shots — Serge Aurier and Moussa Sissoko both forcing De Gea into simple stops while Toby Alderweireld shooting into the side-netting from outside the area.
But by the time Christian Eriksen floated over a delightful pass in the direction of Dele Alli, who was denied the chance to volley on goal by two defenders, Spurs looked comfortable.
When Tottenham did create a real chance, it was in bizarre circumstances as De Gea made a routine catch from a Ben Davies cross but collided with Phil Jones and dropped the ball.
Alli was alert and passed the ball back to Sissoko who fired well over the crossbar from the edge of the area.