Four in a row reds as Romero sees red
It is a fourth consecutive win as Carrick sees his winning run continue. Goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes sealed the victory against the ten men visitors. It goes some way to making revenge for the Europa League loss.
It is yet another damaging loss for the away side though. They were in the game until Christian Romero stupidly got himself sent off. They succumbed afterwards to leave themselves dangerously close to the relegation zone.
Michael Carrick named an unchanged side that beat Fulham in the final minute last weekend. Benjamin Sesko was back on the bench despite his winning goal in that encounter. The only change saw Tyler Fletcher join him ahead of Shea Lacey.
Thomas Frank made three changes from their draw with Manchester City. Micky Van de Ven recovered from injury to partner Christian Romero at the back. Dragusin was the man to make way. Pape Saar and Wilson Odobert also came into the side ahead of Yves Bissouma and Randal Kolo Muani.
The game was pre-empted by the laying of wreaths in memory of those lost at Munich in 1958. Those in the ground were almost celebrating within the first minute. Bruno Fernandes slid in a pass to Bryan Mbeumo on the left. He shot over from a tight angle. Casemiro then stung the palms of Guglielmo Vicario from distance.
Spurs were able to provide a threat at the opposite end though. Connor Gallagher had a volley held by Lammens before Lisandro Martinez produced an excellent block to deny Dominic Solanke from a low Destiny Ugogie cross.
They were to suffer a massive blow on 29 minutes though. Christian Romero had gone into a few 50-50 tackles already but he lunged in on Casemiro after taking a heavy touch. The Utd midfielder screamed in pain and the Spurs defender received yet another red card. Wilson Odobert had to be sacrificed for defensive cover.
United sensed the game was there for the taking and took the lead on 38 minutes. Fernandes had seen an effort tipped over from Vicario before he crafted a clever routine with Kobee Mainoo. The corner was played along the line to him and he cut it back for the waiting Mbeumo. The forward swept home his ninth league goal of the season.
Casemiro had a header tipped over from close range as the home side sought to extend their advantage before the break. It remained just the one though.
Amad Diallo thought he had doubled the lead a few minutes into the second-half. He tapped home after Luke Shaw nodded a Fernandes cross into his path. It was ruled out for offside though.
Shaw almost gifted a way back into the game to Spurs when his slack pass was picked up by Xavi Simmons. His effort from the edge of the area went just past the post. Micky Van de Ven was lucky to escape a pair of penalty shouts at the other end. Another goal was then disallowed for offside to deny an effort that Cunha slotted home from a Fernandes pass.
Spurs were not to escape on 81 minutes though. Diogo Dalot received a short pass from Diallo and crossed into the area. It was missed by Benjamin Sesko but Fernandes stole room at the back post to tap home. It was the 200th goal involvement for the United captain.
Tyler Fletcher was given time to make his debut for the club at the end. Mbeumo had an effort go just over and Sesko put a header straight at Vicario in the closing stages. It was not needed and the hosts secured their best run in nearly 18 months. They will be hoping to make it five in a row on Tuesday when they take on West Ham at the London Stadium. Spurs face Newcastle the same evening.
Manchester United: Senne Lammens, Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw (Noussair Mazraoui 87), Carlos Casemiro (Manuel Ugarte 87), Kobee Mainoo (Tyler Fletcher 90+2), Amad Diallo, Patrick Dorgu, Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Cunha (Benjamin Sesko 75), Bryan Mbeumo (Joshua Zirkzee 87).
Subs not used: Altay Bayinder, Tyrell Malacia, Leny Yoro, Ayden Heaven.
Booked: Amad Diallo (45)
Sent off:
Tottenham Hotspurs: Guglielmo Vicario, Archie Gray, Christian Romero, Micky Van de Ven, Destiny Udogie (Victor Souza 54), Pape Saar, Joao Palhinha (Yves Bissouma 80), Connor Gallagher (Randal Kolo Muani 80), Wilson Odobert (Radu Dragusin 32), Xavi Simmons, Dominic Solanke (Mathys Tel 80)
Subs not used: Antonin Kinsky, Callum Olusesi, Junai Byfield, Luca Williams-Barnett.
Booked: Destiny Udogie (29), Joao Palhinha (70), Thomas Frank (71)
Sent off: Christian Romero (29)
Referee: Michael Oliver
Attendance: 73,985
Simply Red Man of the Match: Bruno Fernandes
Leave a Reply