Matthijs de Ligt salvaged a dramatic 2-2 draw for Manchester United at Tottenham Hotspur with a 96th-minute header, as both sides missed the chance to move second in the Premier League on Saturday.
Spurs looked to have completed a remarkable turnaround after trailing with six minutes left. Mathys Tel’s equaliser was followed by Richarlison’s 91st-minute header, seemingly sealing a comeback win for the hosts. But De Ligt powered home from a Bruno Fernandes corner deep into stoppage time to extend United’s unbeaten run to five matches.
Both teams now sit on 18 points from 11 games, with Tottenham in third and United in seventh on goal difference.
United’s winless run against Spurs stretched to eight games, though this encounter will live long in the memory for the Tottenham faithful.
Spurs, who ended their 17-year trophy drought with a scrappy 1-0 win in last season’s Europa League final, have since secured a return to the Champions League. United, meanwhile, missed out on European football entirely — a blow to both their finances and prestige.
Manager Ruben Amorim appears to be using the extra time on the training ground to rebuild momentum after a difficult debut season at Old Trafford.
Among United’s summer signings, Bryan Mbeumo has stood out since his £65 million ($86 million) move from Brentford. The Cameroonian — named Premier League Player of the Month for October — continued his fine form, heading in Amad Diallo’s cross in the 32nd minute to make it four goals in as many games.
Tottenham entered the match under pressure after a dismal 1-0 defeat to Chelsea the previous weekend. The first half offered little improvement, but the hosts sparked to life after the break.
United goalkeeper Senne Lammens produced a brilliant save to turn Cristian Romero’s flick behind, then reacted smartly to deny Joao Palhinha moments later. Brennan Johnson, who scored the winner when the sides last met in Bilbao, thought he had equalised, only to be ruled offside.
Spurs’ early second-half surge faded quickly, and frustration grew when manager Thomas Frank substituted Xavi Simons — a decision met with loud boos. Yet Frank’s changes ultimately transformed the game.
Destiny Udogie crossed for substitute Mathys Tel, whose deflected strike off De Ligt levelled the score, before another substitute, Wilson Odobert, curled in a shot that Richarlison redirected into the net to make it 2-1. The Brazilian tore off his shirt in celebration, visibly emotional as he wept in front of the home fans.
However, Tottenham’s joy was short-lived. Deep into stoppage time, De Ligt found space at the back post to meet Fernandes’ corner with a powerful header past Guglielmo Vicario, denying Spurs their first home league win since the opening weekend of the season.
AFP
