Pape Sarr’s first strike for Tottenham and a late own goal from Lisandro Martinez gave Tottenham a thrilling 2-0 win over Manchester United, as Ange Postecoglou delivered on his promise to bring entertaining football to this part of north London in his first Premier League home game in charge.
The opener came four minutes into the second half when Dejan Kulusevski’s deflected cross found Sarr at the back post and Spurs’ victory was assured when Martinez flicked in Ben Davies’ strike late on.
But both teams will be wondering how there weren’t more goals on an evening of cavalier football.
New Spurs ‘keeper Guglielmo Vicario earned his first clean sheet in the Premier League with stunning stops in both halves, denying Marcus Rashford and then Casemiro – although he was relieved when Antony struck a post seconds after Sarr’s breakthrough.
It was the third time the frame of that goal had been struck, with Spurs hitting the bar with a Pedro Porro drive and then the other post with a deflected Sarr cross in a matter of seconds at the end of the first half which had been largely dominated by the visitors.
Add in the penalty shouts from both sides which demanded VAR checks – Cristian Romero surviving a handball decision and Martinez escaping unpunished from a barge on the Spurs defender – and this was a game which had almost everything.
The roar of appreciation from the Spurs fans when Yves Bissouma’s backheel set up a blocked shot from Heung-Min Son summed up the complete mood change Postecoglou has already instilled. This is a team not afraid to attack, willing to play with flair. Spurs are a must-watch once more.
Tottenham’s next game is away to Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday before travel to Fulham in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday August 29
Manchester United are next in action on Saturday when they host Nottingham Forest in the Premier League before Erik ten Hag’s side travel to Arsenal on Sunday September 3
