Man-of-the-match Aaron Lennon caused problems for United at the Lane

Published: 20 January, 2013
By DAN CARRIER at White Hart Lane

Premier League
SPURS 1, MANCHESTER UNITED 1

TOTTENHAM are marching towards the Champions League – and while it took a last-gasp equaliser at White Hart Lane against Manchester United this afternoon, manager Andre Villas-Boas says the point is valuable to keep the confidence flowing as spring approaches.

Clint Dempsey took an injury-time chance to make it one-all in an exciting, snowy Premier League fixture.

“If you look at the statistics, we had 61 per cent of the possession, and they had just three chances,” said Villas-Boas.

“It was a pity we could not win but we can move into our next games against Norwich and West Brom with real confidence.”

Spurs have taken four points off United this season, the first time they've achieved such a tally in 20 years, and AVB believes it easily could have been six.

“We deserved more,” he said. “It was difficult after United scored and we had to chase the game. But we went for the win – and in the end it is a good point.”

Spurs will feel a draw was the least they deserved. They dominated possession and created a series of good chances throughout – but a combination of poor finishing and bad luck meant it looked likely United would pull off a classic smash and grab.

From the start, Spurs looked dangerous, particularly though man of the match Aaron Lennon.

On nine minutes, Lennon, who tormented his marker Patrice Evra all afternoon, cut inside and fired a low shot from the edge of the box goalwards which De Gea did well to get a hand to. Unluckily, a muted Jermain Defoe couldn't turn the rebound home.

It set the tone and Spurs continued to have most of it until midway through the first half. Then United got a break: Gareth Bale and Kyle Naughton failed to close down Tom Cleverley on the left, a deep ball was put over and United's van Persie found himself reacting first at the back post.

Tottenham, who had dominated, were a goal down.

Bale tried to up the pace as the half ticked down with a powerful drive that keeper De Gea stopped with his legs but otherwise it was a case of not having quite enough nous – or luck – to get something before the break.

The second period saw a similar pattern emerge: Spurs playing the slicker football, putting their opponents under periods of sustained pressure, but lacking the goal-den touch when it was required.

Dempsey nearly made it one each in the opening second-half exchanges after a great hip-wriggling run by Dembele, while Bale had a shot that Ferdinand bravely got his head to and deflected it headed inches wide.

Perhaps the best chance of the lot came when Defoe slipped on to a slide-rule, defence-splitting pass by Lennon but scuffed his lines with just the keeper to beat.

It came to kitchen-sink tactics as the referee played stoppage time. After laying siege to United's goal, a deep cross by Assou-Ekotto was collected by Lennon, his jink was not picked up and when the ball fell for Dempsey, the forward buried it, sparking celebrations as if all three points had been taken.

Spurs: Lloris, Dawson, Caulker, Naughton, Walker, Dembele, Parker, Bale, Lennon, Defoe, Dempsey.

SPURS COMMENT by Dan Carrier

THIS Spurs side did not know when to give up – and must be praised for their determination to get something for their monumental efforts.

That is something AVB can be pleased with – but he must also work out how to deal with the enigma that is Jermain Defoe.

After going through a good spell in the autumn, it feels like he is off the boil. His reputation as a deadly finisher is tarnished amongst the faithful. Fans wanted a performance like the one he conjured up against West Ham early this term. Instead, he fluffed his lines when chances came his way.