Premier League
TOTTENHAM 1 (Maddison 13)
MANCHESTER UNITED 0

A PIECE of goalmouth opportunism by James Maddison gave struggling Tottenham a crucial 1-0 home victory today (Sunday) against Manchester United – the first time that Ange Postecoglou’s side have recorded back-to-back wins in the Premier League since September.

The midfielder’s close range winner on 13 minutes was enough to seal the points, and leave the Spurs boss sensing that an injury-ravaged winter was behind him.

Speaking after the game, Postecoglou said having a host of first-teamers available to train during the week after months of managing a threadbare squad had provided a much-needed boost.

He was able to recall goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario to the team, employ Maddison centrally and find places on the bench for Wilson Odobert, Destiny Udogie and Brennan Johnson.

“It makes a massive difference,” insisted Postecoglou. “Getting guys like Vic and Madders contributing straight away, you can see the quality and the presence they have. It is an enormous boost for us.”

Postecoglou added Maddison had returned quicker than expected because the midfielder was desperate to play again. He added: “He got frustrated when he got injured and we didn’t think he would be back for a couple more weeks, but he has worked awfully hard to make sure he was available. The injured lads are all desperate to contribute. They have seen what the other guys have gone through and are pushing hard.”

After being dumped out of both domestic cup competitions in four days, Postecoglou had no midweek fixture to contend with – and he said the extra days on the training ground had helped “lift the mood.” He explained: “We have hardly trained for the last two months. We have tried to work without putting a physical toll on the players because of the schedule. We have had to do it with Under-21s and Under-18s players.

“This week we have had 20 senior fit players, which gives everyone a boost. Training is more energetic and up-tempo. The players and the coaches all respond to that. That’s why I thought it was important today that we got a win. We can do that again this week and build.”

With Maddison teaming with Lucas Bergvall centrally, Spurs started with a midfield dominance not seen in recent months and they had United on the back foot from the off.

With the visitors struggling with injuries of their own, Tottenham sensed United were ripe for the taking – and after an opening spell of solid pressure, Heung-Min Son danced down the left and into the box. His neat ball inside tee’d up Bergvall. His goal-bound effort was parried by United keeper Andre Onana and Maddison was quick to react, tucking home what would prove to be the winner.

The six-yard finish was Maddison’s ninth league goal in a disrupted season – and gave him an extra spring in his step as he put in a class performance across the pitch.

Vicario, who hasn’t played since the 4-0 thumping of Manchester City, also looked bright – and at times he needed to be. He kept Spurs ahead by denying Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho.

Up the other end, Mathys Tel, making his home debut, led the line with enthusiasm and forced Onana into three decent saves. He also saw two goal-bound efforts blocked.

Tel’s enthusiasm did mean at times he appeared to lack a bit of composure when shooting chances opened up for him – but he provided a constant goal threat and ran the United back line ragged with his effort.

Tottenham kept United well-controlled and while there was no cushion of a second goal, the team managed the game adeptly.

United’s manager Ruben Amorim was missing a host of senior players – and post match, Postecoglou refused to show his opponent any sympathy. “Welcome to my world,” he said. “I don’t seem to have any sympathy cards from other managers in my office. Try doing that for two months.”

With 13 league games left, Postecoglou can see a clear path opening up to a respectable finish – and can draw on positive form to mount a genuine run in the Europa League. The draw for the last 16 takes place next week, and with a host of first-teamers finally returning, and feeling fresh from long lay offs, there was a bullishness about the under pressure coach.

Postecoglou added: “There is still a hell of a lot on offer. Europe is the obvious one, but even in the league we could make inroads. It’s unacceptable that we’re in the position we are, but the circumstances have dictated that to a great extent. The circumstances will change.”

Tottenham: Vicario, Porro, Danso (Gray, 77), Davies, Spence, Bentancur, (Bissouma, 77), Maddison (Johnson, 62), Bergvall (Sarr, 62), Tel, Kulusevski, Son (Odobert, 87)
Substitutes not used: Kinsky, Udogie, Scarlett, Moore

Manchester United: Onana, Mazraoui, Maguire, de Ligt, Dalot, Fernandes, Casemiro (Obi, 90+1), Dorgu, Zirtkzee, Garnacho, Hojlund
Substitutes not used: Harrison, Lundelof, Heaven, Amass, Kine, Fredricson, Fletcher, Moorhouse