Manchester United 2 – 3 Tottenham Hotspur
Old Trafford
September 29, 2012
Under new manager Andre Villas-Boas, Spurs travelled to Manchester United in a hope to bag a win at The Theatre of Dreams for the first time in 23 years. So clearly, Manchester United were favourites to win this tie.
Tottenham struck through Jan Vertonghen just after 2 minutes. The Dubious Goals Committee confirmed later that it was indeed a Johnny Evans own goal. But it did not matter, as Spurs had the lead and things got even better as they doubled it via Gareth Bale just after the half hour mark.
They went into half-time with a comfortable two-goal lead, but they had to keep the past in mind. They had been caught in the past twice. Leading 2-0 and 3-0 in the first half and then conceding 5 in the second, so it wasn’t the end, just yet.
Sir Alex put Wayne Rooney on for Ryan Giggs to change things a little. 6 minutes into the second half, United got their goal through Nani and expectations were sent soaring through the skies as everyone thought they’d witness another great comeback.
The celebrations were cut short by Clint Dempsey who restored Tottenham’s 2 goal lead in the next minute itself as Old Trafford went silent. And within a minute of that goal, Shinji Kagawa scored United’s second and made sure Old Trafford started roaring again.
Three goals were scored in three minutes and the atmosphere in Manchester was electrifying. Unfortunately, for the Red Devils, the comeback they were expecting never came. They couldn’t even steal a draw as Spurs celebrated their first victory at Old Trafford in 23 years.
