Two sides with ambitions of top-four finishes clashed at Wembley but the difference in quality on the night between Tottenham and Manchester United was stark as the hosts strolled comfortably to a 2-0 victory that sees them close in on the Champions League spots.
The tone was set in this one with just seconds on the clock when a hopeful punt forward from the back caused havoc in the United defence and Cristian Eriksen took full advantage to give Spurs the lead after 11 seconds.
Although United were playing well, they found themselves 2-0 down at the break as Phil Jones clumsily turned Kieran Trippier’s cross beyond David De Gea and into his own goal.
Both sides had penalty shouts as Andre Marriner first waved away Tottenham appeals after Antonio Valencia got the ball from Dele Alli but only after recklessly diving in. United were incensed in the second half when a header from Alexis Sanchez, making his Premier League bow for the visitors, struck Son Heung-min on the hand, but again Marriner was unmoved.
Here, we analyse the performance of United’s new boy, whose return to London proved to be nothing more than capital punishment.
BASIC STATS
SANCHEZ
Goals – 0
Shots – 0
Shots on target – 0
Touches – 75
Key passes – 0
Dribbles – 1
Dispossessed – 4
Aerials won – 0
Interceptions – 1
Fouled – 5
EFFECTIVENESS
SANCHEZ
Despite this being Sanchez’s Premier League bow after his debut in the FA Cup tie with Yeovil, there appears no lag, no settling in period. He was sharp against the League 2 side, and that continued against superior opposition. He was sharp and elusive, intricately linking up with new team-mates he looks like he’s known for years.
In-particular, he and Anthony Martial appear to have quickly struck up an understanding. Although they were playing on opposite flanks, they appeared perfectly aware at all times of each other’s movements. At such an early stage of his United career, this could be a huge plus point for Jose Mourinho – who has struggled so far to find the right balance with his pairings in wide areas.
The problem for Sanchez was that Spurs’ lightning start put them on the front foot and their incisive passing in midfield stunted United’s creativity. The Chilean often had to drop deep to get on the ball as well as helping out his overrun team-mates in midfield, with Nemanja Matic struggling in particular.
He was even popping up in defensive areas for United, twice nipping in to thwart Tottenham attacks in his own half before the break and brilliantly tracking back – executing a perfect sliding tackle to rob Spurs of possession at one point and setting up a United counter-attack.
Although United were thwarted every time they attacked or forced into long balls forward, Sanchez remained one of their brighter sparks and clearly presented a risk to the home side, with the South American irking the opposition as he was fouled no less than five times.
KEY MOMENTS
SANCHEZ
3rd minute – Sanchez and Pogba combine in the final third to release Lingard in the box. However, Lloris is sharp off his line and makes the tackle to stop the forward’s run.
54th minute – A penalty shout for United, but it’s not given. United win a corner and Sanchez is lurking at the back post. He nods it back across the goal and it strikes Son’s hand, but referee Andrew Marriner waves away United appeals.
VERDICT
SANCHEZ
The Chile star was one of the more effervescent United performers on the pitch; the problem was not many of his team-mates fed off his energy. He was a willing outlet wide on the left or right, showing plenty of neat touches and close control as he looked to play colleagues in behind.
He showed off his wide range of passing, playing the ball short and sharply, or spreading the play across the pitch. When United’s midfield seemed stifled by Spurs’ high-energy probing and pressing, he dropped deep to help out, both by taking hold of possession and looking to start attacks as well as making several smart challenges.
He is a quality addition to United’s attacking ranks, adding pace and causing problems for opposition defences. The problem was too many other players in red endured an off night. The rest of the United players simply need to get on the same wavelength as him.
6/10
