Mauricio Pochettino: 'I am happy with the feeling we have got from this game. We showed we are growing more solid. Overall, our performance was good'

Published: 29 December, 2014
by DAN CARRIER at White Hart Lane

Premier League
SPURS 0, MAN UNITED 0

SPURS fought out a 0-0 draw with Manchester United at White Hart Lane yesterday afternoon (Sunday) – and the performance left head coach Mauricio Pochettino ruing two missed penalty calls by referee Jonathan Moss.

After watching United dominate the first half, Spurs transformed the match in the second period and had numerous chances to add to a four-match winning streak.

Pochettino said afterwards it was “a fair result” but added after watching replays that Harry Kane could have been awarded two spot-kicks. As Spurs pushed for a second-half winner, the striker was wrestled to the ground at a corner by Wayne Rooney, and then tripped by Chris Smalling. Moss gave nothing for either.

Speaking after the game about the second call, Pochettino said: “At the time, I couldn’t see the incident properly, but watching it afterwards, it was a penalty.”

He said his side would take confidence from the performance into their New Year’s Day showdown with league leaders Chelsea. 

He said: “I am happy with the feeling we have got from this game. We showed we are growing more solid. Overall, our performance was good.”

The opening exchanges saw United’s Radamel Falcao go close, while Kane forced visiting goalkeeper David De Gea into a smart save at his near post. Juan Mata saw a deflected free-kick hit the woodwork, with the follow-up hacked off the line by Vlad Chiriches. Hugo Lloris acrobatically tipped away an Ashley Young curler as Spurs weathered a storm.

But while United had the better of it in the first period, Spurs bossed the second half.

Andros Townsend showed two United markers a clean pair of heels and fired a thunderous shot towards the corner of the net that De Gea got across well to reach, while Kane, Christian Eriksen and Nacer Chadli also threatened.

United looked ragged, and resorted to interrupting Tottenham’s flow by foul means. On 70, Ashley Young cynically pulled back Townsend as he chased an Eriksen through-ball. Moss waved play on – a decision met by howls of derision from the terraces, led by a furious Pochettino. 

It was quickly followed by the chance of the half. Kane won a tackle, sped forwards and set Ben Davies up for the winner. Instead, the full-back blasted over when he should have hit the target. Moments later, Kane was fouled by Rooney and then tripped by Smalling in the box, but again Moss dismissed the calls.

Pochettino’s young side did not win three points, but they will have gained plenty of confidence and experience from a good performance.

SPURS: Lloris, Vertonghen, Chiriches, Townsend, (Dembele, 78) Kane, Fazio, Chadli (Lamela, 78), Eriksen, Stambouli, Davies, Mason.
Subs: Vorm, Walker, Paulinho, Soldado, Lamela, Dier, Dembele.

SPURS COMMENT by Dan Carrier

Five points from today

United’s free-flowing attack were well marshalled by Fazio and Vertonghen. They passed another big test of their fledging partnership. Vertonghen was superb against Falcao, while Fazio dominated in the air.

Andros Townsend has had a miserable 2014, with injuries pushing him down the pecking order. This was his first start in the Premier League. He ran his socks off.

Vlad Chiriches has been an option at right-back instead of the middle – but with DeAndre Yedlin joining on New Year’s Day, he can expect limited game time from now on.

Van Gaal’s United are a cynical bunch. As they grew increasingly ragged, the game was stopped every time Spurs went forward due to petty fouls. It was a frustrating way to knock the side in the ascendancy off their stride.

Tottenham’s young guns were not scared of the multi-million-pound signings with the big reputations in front of them. This will do the likes of Kane and Mason the world of good.