Ruthless United pick off Spurs, Newcastle held

Reuters: Two Ashley Young goals helped Manchester United to a clinical 3-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur that sliced Manchester City’s lead at the top of the Premier League back to two points on Sunday.

 England winger Young scored twice in nine minutes at White Hart Lane after Wayne Rooney’s 44th-minute header had given United a fortunate halftime lead against third-placed Spurs who worked tirelessly throughout the game but lacked a cutting edge.

Substitute Jermain Defoe scored a late consolation for Tottenham who suffered their second convincing defeat in eight days after last week’s 5-2 thrashing at north London rivals Arsenal

With 11 games remaining champions United have 64 points to the 66 of City with Tottenham on 53, four ahead of Arsenal in the race for an automatic Champions League spot.

“We had a bit of luck,” United manager Alex Ferguson, taking charge of his 986th league game to go ahead of the club record he shared with Matt Busby, told Sky Sports.

“Scoring right on halftime it was probably our first chance at goal. That was a killer for Tottenham because they must have been sitting there wondering how they are losing 1-0.”

Chelsea, who sacked manager Andre Villas-Boas on Sunday, are a further three points behind. Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp said the Portuguese’s exit would not have any impact on the race for a top-four finish.

“Not unless Jose Mourinho is coming it’s not going to effect it and I don’t think he’s coming this week,” he told reporters.

Newcastle United’s hopes of challenging for a top-four spot suffered a blow with a 1-1 draw against 10-man Sunderland, Shola Ameobi scoring a stoppage-time leveller for Newcastle.

Sunderland took the lead through Nicklas Bendtner in a bad-tempered north-east derby but the visitors had Stephane Sessegon sent off for an elbow.

Wolverhampton Wanderers slipped into the relegation zone after a 5-0 drubbing at Fulham, for whom Russian Pavel Pogrebnyak scored a hat-trick and Clint Dempsey two.

Ferguson had identified the fixture at White Hart Lane as a massive game in his side’s quest to prevent City stealing their title and after taking the points despite not playing well his side now look perfectly placed for the final sprint to the line.

Tottenham, bidding for a first win over United since 2001, were without Welsh winger Gareth Bale, Dutchman Rafael van der Vaart and midfield workhorse Scott Parker but were the better side in the opening period.



Lacklustre United offered virtually no attacking threat and Ferguson’s 986th halftime team talk in a league match might have involved his dreaded hair dryer had it not been for Rooney’s poacher’s goal just before the break.

Young’s corner was curled in from the left and Rooney evaded the attention of his marker to stoop and head the ball past a helpless Brad Friedel.

It was harsh on Tottenham who had produced some slick attacking play as they attempted to enliven a muted home crowd on a raw, drizzly afternoon in north London.

Aaron Lennon’s pace down the right caused problems and former United striker Louis Saha and Adebayor had several sights at goal as the hosts dominated possession.

Tottenham were unlucky not to go ahead after 36 minutes when Saha’s close-range shot from Lennon’s cut back hit Adebayor on the line and although the Togo striker hooked the ball in he was adjudged to have handled.

The second half began in similar fashion with Tottenham pressing and midfielder Jake Livermore’s deflected drive was superbly saved by David De Gea.

But just as Spurs were threatening an equaliser they suffered a body blow on the hour.

Luka Modric was guilty of allowing Nani to cross and the ball skidded across the face of goal to Young who leapt to hook it crisply into the far corner.

Nine minutes later Young galloped towards goal before unleashing an unstoppable dipping shot from 25 yards into the top corner.

Not even a rare mistake by veteran Ryan Giggs, who gave the ball straight to Defoe for a well-taken consolation, could spoil what was a thoroughly satisfying day for United.

Despite the defeat, Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp was upbeat about his side’s chances of finishing in the top three.

“We’ve still got a big chance. I’m looking to finish third not fourth,” he said. “I’d be disappointed to finish fourth and even more disappointed to finish fifth.”