Man United lose to Tottenham, suffer eighth defeat in 12 EPL games

James Maddison scored the only goal of the encounter to ensure Tottenham took maximum points with a 1-0 win over Manchester United in their English Premier League (EPL) encounter at the London Stadium on Sunday.

The North London side scored what proved the winner in the first half as both sides, beleaguered by poor form and in the lower half of the league, put up an impressive game.

Man United was missing a host of first-team players to injury and lined academy youngsters on the bench, but the Red Devils were undone by the first-team players’ profligacy in front of the goal as they failed to defeat Tottenham for the sixth consecutive match in all competition.

Surprisingly, the visitors had the first real opening of the encounter to take the lead against the run of play, but Guglielmo Vicario, Tottenham goalkeeper, produced a double save to deny Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho’s follow-up.

An undeterred Tottenham then took the lead in the 19th minute when Maddison reacted quickest at the far post to slot home on the rebound after Andre Onana could only push Lucas Bergvall’s shot into his path, allowing the England international to finish with aplomb for 1-0.

Garnacho had another glorious chance to equalise, but the winger mishit the ball and blazed wide when it was easier to score.

The home side regained the ascendancy, and Mathys Tel, Spurs’ January signing, saw a low shot saved by Onana. Both sides huffed and puffed as the first half ended, with Tottenham maintaining their lead.

Man United returned for the second half with more purpose, but Ruben Amorim’s side could not finish off chances in front of goal.

Vicario was, again, at his best to stop Garnacho from equalising in quick succession. The goalkeeper denied the Argentine winger from close range and saved another low shot minutes later, while Joshua Zirkzee also glanced a header wide late in the encounter.

Tottenham held on to claim all three points. Ange Postecoglou’s side climbed above Man United to 12th position on the EPL table with 30 points from 24 matches, one ahead of United, who dropped to 15th place and moved closer to relegation struggle.

Earlier in the day, Mohamed Salah scored a penalty for his 23rd league goal of the season. Liverpool defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 at Anfield to re-establish their seven-point advantage at the top.