Manchester United defeat Tottenham to raise League hopes

• Manchester United hosted Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Wednesday night at Old Trafford
• United headed to the clash seven points adrift third place Tottenham Hotspur in League standings
• Spurs were outdone Manchester United and fell to a 2-0 defeat for their second loss of the season

Manchester United were in stunning form on Wednesday night producing an impressive display to defeat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 at Old Trafford in the Premier League.

Erik Ten Hag’s side were disappointing and often not threatening against Newcastle United at the weekend, but Antonio Conte’s Spurs were dominated from start to finish on Wednesday night.

The Red Devils tallied 19 shots in the first half alone, which was more than they managed in any previous league game under Ten Hag – although it was still goalless at halftime.

The situation changed within 16 seconds of the start of the second period as Fred’s deflected strike found its way in, and Bruno Fernandes’ gorgeous finish 21 minutes later wrapped up an impressively comfortable win.

Fred leads his fellow Manchester United players in celebration after scoring the opener against Tottenham Hotspur in a Premier League clash at Old Trafford. | PHOTO: Courtesy |

United’s first-half superiority began with Antony’s speculative long-range effort almost catching Hugo Lloris out, before the France shot-stopper tipped over Fred’s dipping 20-yard attempt.

The post then came to the rescue of Spurs in the 10th minute as Antony went close after cutting in from the right, though Lloris was soon busy again.

A fine save down to his right kept Marcus Rashford at bay when appearing destined to score – he then produced acrobatic stops to keep out Luke Shaw’s volley and Fernandes’ free-kick in a three-minute spell.

Soon after, in the 28th minute, Lloris looked beaten but Casemiro’s sweetly struck left-footed drive flew unluckily wide.

The hosts eventually broke the dreadlock at the start of the second half, as Fred’s strike deflected off Eric Dier and left Lloris helpless.

Harry Kane fired straight at David de Gea at the other end with 21 minutes left on the clock, but United went straight down the other end and made it 2-0 – Fernandes guiding a wonderful effort into the top-right corner.

Fernandes had a late second disallowed for offside, but it did not matter.

Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes celebrates after scoring the second against Tottenahm Hotspur in a Premier League clash at Old Trafford on Wednesday, October 19 2022. | PHOTO: Courtesy |

While United had already beaten Liverpool and Arsenal this season, neither performance was as good as the Wednesday’s clash.

In those games, United were caused plenty of issues by their opponents, but Spurs hardly threatened at all – their expected goals (xG) reached just 0.45, and 0.2 of that was attributed to a shot from Kane when he was offside.

Conte has now lost all four of his away matches against United, the worst such record he has in the Premier League.

Bruno Fernandes has been on the bad side of fans and pundits of late but the performance against Spurs was just a glimpse of what the Portuguese is able to do.

His goal was staggering, but beyond that he was so influential. The midfielder created nine chances over the course of the game – only once in his United career has he bettered that for a single match (10 v Aston Villa in September 2021).

Were it not for Lloris, this game would have been over as a contest long before United made it 1-0. He made eight saves in total – only four times before has he made more in a game for Spurs (nine saves in each).

Another tough test awaits United as they face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Tottenham host Newcastle the following day.