United fail to close gap

Berbatov cannot shine on return to White Hart Lane

Last updated: 14th December 2008

United fail to close gap

Berbatov: Failed to shine

Man of the match: Michael Dawson
Moment of the match: Dimitar Berbatov's return to White Hart Lane, although Cristiano Ronaldo was lucky to escape after kicking out at Dawson.
Save of the match: Heurelho Gomes' injury-time stop from a Ryan Giggs free-kick.
Talking Point: Berbatov's uninspiring return to North London and United's failure to take advantage of Liverpool's draw.

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Defending champions Manchester United failed to close the gap at the top of the Premier League table as they were held to a stalemate at Tottenham Hotspur.

Following Liverpool's draw with Hull City earlier on Saturday, United went into their encounter at White Hart Lane well aware that a victory would move them to within four points of the leaders.

However, neither United - who were playing their last match before jetting off to participate in the Fifa Club World Cup - nor Tottenham could break the deadlock in North London.

Harry Redknapp's Spurs enjoyed the better of the first 45 minutes as David Bentley, Aaron Lennon and Tom Huddlestone went close.

United and striker Dimitar Berbatov - who was roundly booed on his first return to his former home after a £30million switch to Old Trafford on the final day of the summer transfer window - improved after the interval.

Cristiano Ronaldo had the ball in the back of the net, but referee Mike Dean disallowed the effort, while the Portuguese was fortunate to avoid punishment when kicking out at Spurs centre-back Michael Dawson later in the half.

Substitute Ryan Giggs went close with a late free-kick, but the Welshman was denied by a fine save from home goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes.

Perfect opportunity

With Arsenal and Liverpool failing to win earlier on, United had been presented with a perfect opportunity to stamp their presence on the championship picture before heading to Japan.

Yet the visitors' attempts to break the Tottenham defence did not get them very far, even though Ledley King's frail knee prevented him from taking part and Jonathan Woodgate lasted just 10 minutes after coming off worst in a tackle with Carlos Tevez.

Ji-Sung Park and Michael Carrick both had shots deflected wide but Gomes, who Redknapp is persevering with despite a string of awful mishaps, was relatively untroubled until Rio Ferdinand forced him into a save in first-half stoppage time.

Tottenham did not exactly lay siege to United's goal but at least they made Edwin van der Sar - who recently signed a new contract - work to keep them out.

The veteran Dutchman has just been awarded a new one-year contract, with Ferguson adding a ringing endorsement of his enduring ability.

Van der Sar backed up the assessment with a couple of excellent saves. The first denied Bentley, who flicked the ball up perfectly for a volley that had the Dutchman scrambling to make a low left-handed save.

The keeper's next effort was even better as he palmed away a shot from Lennon, who had been allowed to get too near the United penalty area, then reacted quickly enough to block Roman Pavlyuchenko's follow-up.

Luka Modric then launched himself at Didier Zokora's inswinging cross but his diving header was just off target.

With Pavlyuchenko getting in the way of a Huddlestone piledriver, it was easy to see why the Spurs fans were disappointed their team were still being held at the break, although at least they could revel in the failure of Berbatov to make a significant contribution.

Threat

It took the 27-year-old just seven minutes of the second half to suggest he intended to be more of a threat, spinning superbly on halfway before embarking on a charge into the Spurs box that was only halted by Dawson's despairing lunge.

Ronaldo - another peripheral figure - had the ball in the net from the corner. The Ballon D'Or winner claimed it should have stood but referee Dean correctly ruled it out for handball.

It was the beginning of a long period of United pressure, although it took the introduction of Paul Scholes and Giggs to bring an air of real menace to their attacks.

Giggs supplied the cross from which Nemanja Vidic's header forced Gomes into his best save and the veteran Welshman was also responsible for the corner Ferdinand nodded over at the near post.

A goalmouth scramble that ended with Carrick driving a low shot at Gomes also came from Giggs' set piece delivery.

Park tested Gomes with a rasping drive but Van der Sar would have been beaten if Modric's shot had curled just under that bar after flicking off Ferdinand rather than just over it.

Two Ronaldo free-kicks brought no reward, which was probably why he left Giggs to take the last one and give Gomes the chance to be a hero.

Tottenham HotspurTeam StatisticsManchester United
0Goals0
01st Half Goals0
3Shots on Target6
4Shots off Target4
3Blocked Shots6
4Corners14
10Fouls11
4Offsides2
1Yellow Cards1
0Red Cards0
68.7Passing Success81.2
30Tackles24
73.3Tackles Success83.3
33Possession67
43.8Territorial Advantage56.2

Comments (6)

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Nick Barnes (Arsenal fan) says...

Sir Alex should stop complaining about luck and refs. he should not expect to win games with players like berbatov and oshea. He should put football players on the pitch instead of lazy and slack people. berbatov only interest is MONEY!!

Posted 05:35 14th December 2008

Geoff From canada (Manchester United fan) says...

Isn't this why we splashed out 30 odd million on Berba? For games exactly like this. When you need that moment of inspiration to turn a draw game into a win?

Posted 05:23 14th December 2008

Nicky Larson (Manchester United fan) says...

The match was a shame. berbatov clearly is not worth playing in a red shirt. It is right time for Sir Alex to sell berbatov and get back some money. berbatov is too slack and lazy. If you play for united you need to play with your heart. berbatov only comes to United to get money.

Posted 05:14 14th December 2008

Ashley Brown (Manchester United fan) says...

I cannot believe it!!!!!!! Manchester United the perfect chance to gain points on Chelsea and Liverpool and they blew it. I reckon Chelsea for the league. Man u for champions league+carling cup.Arsenal for F.A. cup.(another chelseaVs Man u champions legue final) anybody have a different oppinion on my predictions:)

Posted 21:57 13th December 2008

Courtney Holness (Manchester United fan) says...

berbatov needs to get his finger out... he is nowhere close to even being a man u player... doesnt realise that he still needs to earn the right to wear a man u shirt

Posted 20:28 13th December 2008

S Grant (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

still unbeaten against the top 4. if only we could start the season again.

Posted 19:56 13th December 2008
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