Friday, March 02, 2012

Spurs Home Record Against Manchester United

Spurs go into their match against Manchester United knowing that they haven't won a game in any competition against United since 2001, a total of 25 matches.  In the Premier League era Spurs have a very poor record against the traditional top 'four' teams of United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool.  In recent years they have managed to bring to an end some shocking sequences against the other three but United have proved to be a continuing stumbling block. 

Home League Record against United:
P  74  W  25  D  25  L  24  For  120  Ag  99
Home PL Record:
P  19  W  3  D  5  L  11  For  21  Ag  32  

Looking at the overall home League record suggests there will be only one result, an away win to level the statistics out at 25 each with United, in the process, scoring their 100th League goal at White Hart Lane.


The horrendous record in Premier League games in recent years has done much to improve United's overall record against Spurs, with only three home wins and eleven defeats.
 
The Last Win
May, 2001 PL (h) Won 3 - 1  Korsten (2), Ferdinand
It was the final game of the season, United were already Champions while Spurs under Glenn Hoddle managed to finish the season with a win.  Spurs went ahead after seventeen minutes when Willem Korsten scored with a dipping shot from twenty yards after the ball fell to him from a corner.  United were level after five minutes, Paul Scholes, but two second half goals from Korsten and Les Ferdinand brought Spurs' season to a successful conclusion.  United were under strength as were Spurs due to injuries - but after nine games in charge, Glenn Hoddle's team finished the season in tenth position.
Team: Sullivan; Carr, Doherty, Gardner (Perry), Young; Korsten, Davies, Clemence, Leonhardsen, Etherington (Piercy); Ferdinand 

It was Looking So Good
The following September when United returned to White Hart Lane by half-time it was looking as if Spurs were going to have a memorable result.  By the end it was unforgettable but for all the wrong reasons.
Sept. 2001 PL (h) Lost 3 - 5  Richards, Ferdinand, Ziege
Dean Richards making his Tottenham debut put Spurs ahead after fifteen minutes, heading in from a corner.  It got even better when Ferdinand increased the lead ten minutes later.  On half-time, Ziege headed home following a flowing Spurs movement.  Perfect, or so it seemed.  The one thing Spurs didn't want to do was concede an early second half goal - they did, within the opening minute.  Suddenly, there were doubts and United completed the turnaround by scoring on another four occasions.

Last Season
Jan. 2011 PL (h) Draw 0 - 0
Spurs were disappointed to take only a point from the game against United who were top of the Premier League but such is the progress that Spurs have made in recent seasons, that United were satisified with the point and were content to use up time in any way they could.

Recent Results
Sept. 2009 PL (h) Lost 1 - 3  Defoe
Spurs had had the perfect start to the season under Harry Redknapp, four wins from the first four Premier League matches.  They also had the best start to this game, going ahead inside a minute through Defoe.  From then on United used all their vast European experience to bully Spurs out of the game and moaning constantly in the ear of the referee, even over decisions that went their way.  They drew level after twenty five minutes when Ryan Giggs scored from a free-kick for a foul by Palacios who was booked. He then was in danger of receiving a second card which United did their utmost to cause and was substituted at half-time.  Before the interval, however, United took the lead and although Scholes was sent off, Rooney added a third as he once again terrorised the Tottenham defenders.

Dec. 2008 PL (h) Draw 0 - 0
Heurelho Gomes produced a number of important saves to ensure Spurs took a point from this game.

Feb. 2008 PL (h) Draw 1 - 1 Berbatov
Spurs were foiled once again by United, the team who never know when they're beaten.  Berbatov gave Spurs the lead midway through the first half and Spurs looked like taking the three points, even though there had been a few close calls in the final minutes.  In the fourth minute of added time, United won a corner and Tevez got in front of Dawson to earn them a point and once again deny Spurs.

Memorable Matches (from a Spurs viewpoint)
Jan. 1996  PL Won 4 - 1 Sheringham, Campbell, Armstrong (2)
A great way to start a new year - live on television and convincingly defeating the League leaders and eventual Champions.  It was probably one of the best results during Gerry Francis’ managerial reign. 
Teddy Sheringham scored the first and although United equalised, Sol Campbell scored before half-time and then two goals from Chris Armstrong sealed Spurs victory.  Both teams had injury problems but Spurs overcame them much better although United’s keeper Schmeichel was injured in the warm up and had to be taken off at half-time.
 
May, 1987 1st Div (h) Won 4 - 0  Thomas, M. (2), Allen, C. (p), Allen, P.
David Pleat's team, in their final home game of the season, ahead of the FA Cup Final, had an emphatic win over United.  Spurs finished the season in third while United were eleventh.

Oct. 1965 1st Div. (h) Won 5 - 1  Johnson, Clayton, Gilzean, Greaves, Robertson
This game is remembered for the score line, for the fact that all five Tottenham forwards scored and for an outstanding goal  by Jimmy Greaves.  He picked the ball up inside the United half, ran at the United defence, going past a number of defenders before rounding the keeper to tap the ball into an empty net - a classic Greaves goal!   All five forwards scored that day – the other goals coming from Jimmy Robertson, Alan Gilzean, Eddie Clayton and Neil Johnson making only his third appearance.

Amazingly and unfortunately for Spurs, the return game in December also ended 5-1 to the home team. 
 
With Spurs increasing injury list, including doubts over Gareth Bale's fitness for this game, they will find it difficult to extend their run of twenty four matches since suffering consecutive Premier League defeats - in fact, since the beginning of the season when they lost to United and City.  After last week's disappointing result and performance, omitting the exciting opening twenty five minutes, Spurs really need a good result to strengthen their grip on third place, the title race having moved beyond them.  Any other result is going to bring doubts and be an encouragement to the chasing pack.  How Spurs recover from last weekend, will give an indication of the team's prospects for the rest of the season. 


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