Spurs 1 United 1 A Home game with no fans.
Unfortunately, this match didn’t go the way as planned. Before the virus break, we had four key players out, and I expected United to beat us. The virus came to our rescue (and a three-month break), and now our leading players are fit for this match and hopefully for those that are up and coming. So a win was expected, but nothing goes as scripted. Paul Pogba returned to action for the first time since 26 December to sneak a penalty that earned United a cruel point at our crowd less stadium. Only artificial crowd noise kept the birds away.
United goalkeeper David de Gea was at fault when he failed to stop Steven Bergwijn’s great 28th-minute shot, so there was relief all-round for the visitors when Pogba surged into the area before he was hauled down by ham-fisted tackle by Eric Dier. Fernandes equalised with a powerful penalty ten minutes from time.
We survived a last-minute scare as referee Jon Moss pointed to the spot again when Dier collided with Fernandes, but lucky for us the video assistant referee correctly reversed a feeble decision.
De Gea made amends with a good save from Son Heung-min shortly after his error, while Hugo Lloris made an outstanding flying save from Martial as United runaround like exhausted chickens for an equaliser.
We were rightly disappointed to allow a goal so late on in the game, and in such stupid fashion. However, it could have been worse when referee Moss incorrectly awarded that second penalty – If it wasn’t for VAR, it would have been all over for us.
Lloris had produced that brilliant save from Martial but we were hardly under siege. Jose Mourinho, who continuously walked up and down the touchline in annoyance when awarded that penalty. Frustrated Mourinho realises that 2 points were dropped and it will dent our chances.
At least Mourinho was pleased that Harry Kane, after hamstring surgery, and Son, after he broke his arm, as well as goalscorer Bergwijn, played and survived to fight another day.
Both teams looked knackered, but it was United that got that crucial equaliser to the annoyance of our fans.
We need to win this to have any hope of getting a place in the Champions League. We drew, but now we must go through the last remaining games undefeated if we want any chance of being in the Champions League next season.
Statistics
- Steven Bergwijn became only the second player to score in his first three home Premier League appearances for us, after Rafael van der Vaart in 2010.
- Only Trent Alexander-Arnold (14) has more assists among Premier League defenders in all competitions than full-back Serge Aurier this season (eight).
- Jose Mourinho has won none of his past six matches against his former clubs in all competitions (D2 L4), taking just one point from four Premier League matches against Chelsea and Man Utd this season (D1 L3).
- We are winless in seven games in all competitions (D3 L4), their worst run since November 2016 (also seven without a win).
Where next?
We host West Ham in the Premier League on Tuesday, 23 June (20:15 BST).
My name is Glenn Renshaw.
I am currently a Premium Season Ticket holder (West Stand) in the new stadium. Before that – at White Hart Lane – a season ticket holder in various parts of the ground (mainly in the North stand).
Before becoming a season ticket holder, I stood on the shelf and various other parts of the ground since the 1950s. In 1987 I became one of the first to hold a Spurs Membership card. I was also a life long member of the Spurs supporters club (now defunct).
I go to all home, away and abroad matches.
I was born in 1955, Edgware, London (it was in the late 50s – as a baby – that my dad took me to Spurs to initiate me). I currently live in Berkshire.
I also collect all Spurs books (and have everyone printed), Spurs handbooks (from 1920s onwards, Spurs programmes (since the 40s).
Previously, I wrote for Spurs Fanzines: The Spur, Spur of the Moment, My Eyes have seen the Glory and various other Spurs fanzines’. I also wrote for the SpursWeb app & its website.
I currently write and work for spursnetwork.com and its website. I write its Reviews & Match reports and a lot more.
My other interests are; reading, history, social history, Politics, going to the gym, wine, going out for a meal, music (all sorts), writing, theatre, concerts, going on holidays, socialising etc.
I have been writing blogs/ articles since 1989
If you wish to read more of my blog, please click “here”
