Clinical Man Utd defeat Tottenham ~ Forefront in Preaching

By Phil McNulty
Chief football writer Danny Welbeck celebrates Welbeck celebrates his crucial opener at Old Trafford

Manchester United swept Tottenham aside in impressive fashion as the Premier League champions made a powerful statement of intent at Old Trafford.

Spurs were without unsettled Luka Modric as he continues to be linked with a £30m move to Chelsea - and he was sadly missed as United overpowered Harry Redknapp's side after an evenly-contested first half.

Sir Alex Ferguson embarked on an expensive summer rebuilding programme, but it was United's home-grown talent that built the platform for their second successive win as they go in search of a 20th domestic title.

DID YOU KNOW?

Danny Welbeck's only other Manchester United Premier League goal came against Stoke on 15 November, 2008.

With England coach Fabio Capello an interested observer, Danny Welbeck headed in Tom Cleverley's cross just after the hour and the young striker then produced a wonderful instinctive flick to set up a second for Anderson.

Wayne Rooney completed the formalities with a pinpoint late header from Ryan Giggs's centre to extend Spurs' miserable sequence of 22 years without a win at Old Trafford.

United's new goalkeeper David de Gea suffered more uncertain moments of handling but Phil Jones, another summer acquisition from Blackburn, ensured injured Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic were not missed with an outstanding performance.

The hosts' new arrivals made an impact early on as Jones and Ashley Young led a sweeping counter attack before Cleverley brought a fine fingertip save from the stretching Brad Friedel on his Spurs debut.

De Gea, watched from the directors' box by his predecessor Edwin van der Sar, was a focus of attention after early blunders following his summer move from Atletico Madrid and he needed to show neat footwork as Rafael Van der Vaart threatened to catch him in possession.

Young's movement was presenting problems for Spurs and he was inches away from giving United the lead with a looping header from Rooney's cross with Friedel stranded as he scrambled back towards goal.

Spurs wasted an opportunity to strike just after the break when Aaron Lennon was desperately wasteful with a cross inside the area, an incident that saw Van der Vaart pull his shirt over his head in fury.

It was the signal for United's most concerted spell of pressure - a decisive phase of the game that eventually led to them taking the lead just after the hour.

Redknapp keen to bolster Spurs squad

Friedel excelled once more with a fine double save from Anderson and Rooney, but he was powerless to prevent Welbeck taking advantage of Cleverley's inviting delivery by glancing a fine header into the corner.

United were carrying all the momentum and threat, with Friedel in acrobatic action again to save Rooney's free-kick as it seemed destined for the top corner and Welbeck's ambitious overhead kick.

Welbeck was oozing confidence after his goal and he illuminated Old Trafford with his part in Anderson's second 14 minutes from time. He took Anderson's pass inside the area before delivering an instant backheel which the midfield man took in his stride to score.

Tottenham rallied briefly and Jermain Defoe volleyed against the post following a rare De Gea error, the Spaniard flapping at a cross and allowing the Spurs striker to strike the woodwork from the angle.

But Rooney's third was simply confirmation of United's superiority as they move into second place behind neighbours Manchester City in the table.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson: "The second-half performance was absolutely fantastic.

"It was a fast game in the first half, it was end-to-end. Tottenham had a lot of possession, but in the second half we just took off."

Live text and stats

Monday, 22 August 2011

Barclays Premier League

Home Team	Score	Away Team	Time
Man Utd	3-0	Tottenham	FT
(HT 0-0)
Welbeck 61 Anderson 76 Rooney 87

MAN UTD

TOTTENHAM

Possession

Man Utd 60%
Tottenham 40%

Final Result
Full Time
90:00+3:53 The final whistle goes and the game is over.
90:00+3:25 Ryan Giggs takes a shot. Blocked by Vedran Corluka.
90:00+3:12 Luis Nani takes a shot. Save by Brad Friedel.
90:00+1:46 Javier Hernandez is caught offside. Brad Friedel restarts play with the free kick.
90:00+1:13 Free kick taken by David De Gea.
90:00+1:13 Booking The referee shows Jermain Defoe a yellow card.
90:00+0:59 Jermain Defoe challenges David De Gea unfairly and gives away a free kick.
90:00+0:41 Tom Huddlestone takes a shot. Save by David De Gea.
90:00+0:32 Tom Huddlestone takes a shot. Blocked by Oliveira Anderson.
88:54 Effort on goal by Rafael Van der Vaart from just inside the penalty area goes harmlessly over the target.
88:45 Ji-Sung Park takes a shot. Save by Brad Friedel.
86:48 Assist by Ryan Giggs.
86:48 GOAL - Wayne Rooney:Man Utd 3 - 0 Tottenham Wayne Rooney scores a headed goal from inside the six-yard box. Man Utd 3-0 Tottenham.
86:04 Rafael Van der Vaart takes a shot. Save by David De Gea.
85:57 Rafael Van der Vaart takes a short corner.
85:47 Rafael Van der Vaart takes a shot. Save made by David De Gea.
84:46 Foul by Ryan Giggs on Tom Huddlestone, free kick awarded. Tom Huddlestone takes the direct free kick.
83:49 Roman Pavlyuchenko challenges Patrice Evra unfairly and gives away a free kick. Jonathan Evans takes the free kick.
82:53 The ball is sent over by Luis Nani, Wayne Rooney takes a shot from close in clearing the crossbar.
80:21 Brad Friedel takes the direct free kick.
80:21 Substitution Ji-Sung Park replaces Ashley Young.
80:21 Substitution Ryan Giggs joins the action as a substitute, replacing Tom Cleverley.
80:21 Substitution Javier Hernandez on for Danny Welbeck.
80:21 Free kick awarded for a foul by Luis Nani on Benoit Assou-Ekotto.
78:39 Luis Nani fouled by Benoit Assou-Ekotto, the ref awards a free kick. Luis Nani restarts play with the free kick.
78:10 Gareth Bale is flagged offside by the assistant referee. David De Gea takes the indirect free kick.
77:59 Jermain Defoe produces a volleyed left-footed shot from deep inside the penalty box and strikes the post.
77:24 Luis Nani takes a shot. Brad Friedel makes a save.
75:46 Assist by Danny Welbeck.
75:46 GOAL - Oliveira Anderson:Man Utd 2 - 0 Tottenham Goal scored by Oliveira Anderson from inside the penalty area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Man Utd 2-0 Tottenham.
75:03 The ball is delivered by Gareth Bale, clearance by Patrice Evra.
73:37 Substitution Jake Livermore leaves the field to be replaced by Tom Huddlestone.
73:37 Substitution Roman Pavlyuchenko comes on in place of Niko Kranjcar.
72:51 Corner from the left by-line taken by Ashley Young, save by Brad Friedel.
71:26 Phil Jones takes a shot. Benoit Assou-Ekotto gets a block in.
70:56 Corner taken right-footed by Luis Nani to the near post, clearance made by Younes Kaboul.
68:48 Ashley Young takes a outswinging corner to the near post, Jonathan Evans takes a shot. Brad Friedel makes a save.
68:39 Corner taken right-footed by Luis Nani, clearance made by Niko Kranjcar.
68:23 Danny Welbeck takes a shot. Save by Brad Friedel.
Correction - 68:13 Luis Nani takes a shot. Brad Friedel makes a save.
68:13 Luis Nani takes a shot. Save made by Brad Friedel.
67:36 Danny Welbeck produces a overhead kick right-footed shot from 12 yards. Save by Brad Friedel.
66:57 Short corner taken by Ashley Young.
65:27 Wayne Rooney takes a long range shot harmlessly clearing the crossbar.
64:24 Corner taken right-footed by Ashley Young to the near post, Gareth Bale manages to make a clearance.
64:11 Wayne Rooney takes a shot. Save by Brad Friedel.
63:13 Niko Kranjcar gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Patrice Evra. Wayne Rooney takes the free kick.
62:38 Oliveira Anderson gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Benoit Assou-Ekotto. Younes Kaboul takes the free kick.
61:47 Unfair challenge on Niko Kranjcar by Jonathan Evans results in a free kick. Rafael Van der Vaart fires a strike on goal direct from the free kick, save by David De Gea.
60:22 The assist for the goal came from Tom Cleverley.
60:22 GOAL - Danny Welbeck:Man Utd 1 - 0 Tottenham Danny Welbeck finds the back of the net with a headed goal from inside the six-yard box. Man Utd 1-0 Tottenham.
58:50 Long range effort by Rafael Van der Vaart goes over the bar.
58:19 Foul by Jonathan Evans on Benoit Assou-Ekotto, free kick awarded. Jake Livermore takes the free kick.
58:01 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Jonathan Evans by Rafael Van der Vaart. Oliveira Anderson restarts play with the free kick.
57:24 Effort on goal by Ashley Young from deep inside the area goes harmlessly over the bar.
56:13 Vedran Corluka gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Ashley Young. The free kick is delivered right-footed by Ashley Young from left wing, clearance made by Jermain Defoe.
Correction - 54:57 Luis Nani takes a shot. Younes Kaboul gets a block in.
54:57 Luis Nani takes a shot. Blocked by Younes Kaboul.
54:32 Corner taken by Luis Nani from the right by-line played to the near post, Gareth Bale makes a clearance.
54:11 Tom Cleverley takes a shot. Younes Kaboul gets a block in.
53:20 Wayne Rooney takes a shot. Save by Brad Friedel.
53:06 Oliveira Anderson takes a shot. Brad Friedel makes a save.
52:33 Gareth Bale delivers the ball, clearance by Patrice Evra.
49:06 Effort from outside the box by Gareth Bale goes wide right of the target.
48:37 Jermain Defoe takes a shot. David De Gea makes a save.
48:09 Unfair challenge on Niko Kranjcar by Oliveira Anderson results in a free kick. Niko Kranjcar restarts play with the free kick.
47:24 Ashley Young takes a shot. Save by Brad Friedel.
47:01 Luis Nani delivers the ball, Vedran Corluka makes a clearance.
46:00 The referee penalises Patrice Evra for handball. Direct free kick taken by Michael Dawson.
45:17 Rafael Van der Vaart produces a left-footed shot from the edge of the box and misses to the left of the target.
45:01 The second half has started.
45:01 Substitution Kyle Walker goes off and Vedran Corluka comes on.
Half Time
45:00+2:11 The ref blows to end the first period.
45:00+1:21 Jermain Defoe has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the right-hand upright.
45:00+0:38 Foul by Luis Nani on Younes Kaboul, free kick awarded. Younes Kaboul takes the free kick.
43:39 Ashley Young fouled by Niko Kranjcar, the ref awards a free kick. Patrice Evra restarts play with the free kick.
42:15 Rafael Van der Vaart takes a shot. David De Gea makes a save.
41:01 Shot by Luis Nani from outside the area goes high over the crossbar.
39:18 Patrice Evra takes the direct free kick.
39:18 Booking Michael Dawson is shown a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.
38:52 Michael Dawson gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Ashley Young.
37:04 Foul by Danny Welbeck on Michael Dawson, free kick awarded. Niko Kranjcar takes the direct free kick.
36:53 Younes Kaboul takes a shot. Danny Welbeck gets a block in.
36:17 Rafael Van der Vaart takes the free kick.
36:17 Booking Jonathan Evans goes into the referee's book.
36:00 Free kick awarded for a foul by Jonathan Evans on Niko Kranjcar.
35:27 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Michael Dawson by Ashley Young. Direct free kick taken by Michael Dawson.
34:27 Corner taken right-footed by Ashley Young from the left by-line, save by Brad Friedel.
34:13 Luis Nani takes a shot. Younes Kaboul gets a block in.
33:27 Free kick awarded for a foul by Danny Welbeck on Benoit Assou-Ekotto. Free kick taken by Brad Friedel.
32:53 Ashley Young produces a cross, Michael Dawson manages to make a clearance.
31:23 Niko Kranjcar takes a shot. David De Gea makes a save.
30:40 Foul by Oliveira Anderson on Jermain Defoe, free kick awarded. Niko Kranjcar takes the direct free kick.
28:26 Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Rafael Van der Vaart.
28:15 Jermain Defoe takes a shot. Phil Jones gets a block in.
27:36 Header from close in by Ashley Young misses to the left of the target.
26:51 Luis Nani crosses the ball, blocked by Michael Dawson.
26:19 The referee blows for offside against Gareth Bale. Free kick taken by Phil Jones.
24:04 Rafael Van der Vaart takes a shot. Save by David De Gea.
23:52 Phil Jones takes a shot. Blocked by Danny Welbeck.
23:41 The ball is delivered by Luis Nani, clearance by Younes Kaboul.
23:14 Luis Nani takes a outswinging corner.
23:10 The ball is swung over by Luis Nani, blocked by Benoit Assou-Ekotto.
21:45 Luis Nani delivers the ball.
20:38 Gareth Bale takes a shot. Save made by David De Gea.
20:30 Aaron Lennon crosses the ball, Chris Smalling manages to make a clearance.
20:05 Luis Nani crosses the ball.
16:40 Centre by Ashley Young, save made by Brad Friedel.
13:44 Corner taken by Rafael Van der Vaart from the left by-line, Header from deep inside the penalty area by Michael Dawson goes harmlessly over the crossbar.
13:28 Rafael Van der Vaart takes a shot. Phil Jones gets a block in.
12:53 David De Gea fouled by Rafael Van der Vaart, the ref awards a free kick. David De Gea takes the free kick.
7:41 Oliveira Anderson takes a short corner.
7:24 Tom Cleverley takes a shot. Save by Brad Friedel.
6:05 The ball is delivered by Gareth Bale, Jonathan Evans manages to make a clearance.
3:47 Corner taken by Ashley Young, clearance made by Jake Livermore.
3:40 Patrice Evra delivers the ball, Michael Dawson gets a block in.
1:57 Wayne Rooney takes a shot. Save by Brad Friedel.
0:30 Wayne Rooney delivers the ball.
0:00 The match gets underway.

Live text and data provided by The Press Association.

Posted in: sports

Forefront in Preaching

Monday, August 22, 2011