Manchester United 1 v 1 Tottenham Hotspur
Old Trafford, Manchester
22nd October 2005
Manchester United's Championship quest took another set-back yesterday when Jermaine Jenas managed to equalise for Tottenham to continue United's poor run of form that has seen them win just one game at home, draw two and lose one.
Despite the midweek scandal, Ronaldo was named in the squad, and looked more than up for the gaem when he entered as a substitute immediately after Spurs' equaliser.
United's back-four looked as weak as usual, with Ferdinand and Silvestre flanked by Bardsley and O'Shea, whilst our midfield was in similar ruins, with Giggs out for six weeks after last weeks European Qualifier, and Keane also injured long-term.
Luckily Rooney and Van Nistelrooy were on, especially because those two, apart from youngster Rossi, are the only ones to have scored in the Premiership for United so far this season!
The game started fast, with United on the offensive from the starting whistle. Ruud whistled a shot past the post in the opening few minutes before the unlikely goal-source of Mickael Silvestre struck into action. A cutting Scholes free-kick was headed by Ruud at goal. Robinson fumbled, and Silvestre was able to prod the ball home when it fell at his feet some three-yards out from goal.
Smith, adn Ruud should have doubled the lead, but were thwarted by Robinson, who was looking to atone for his early mistake.
United controlled the match, and typically failed to convert any of the further chances they created - the story of our season!
Spurs failed to really press us, and it was only from a set-piece that they managed to score. Defoe was nailed by Rio, and the resulting free-kick was slammed into the far-left of the goal by Jenas.
United threw out all their aces, with Ronaldo and Rossi entering the fray, and causing havoc, with United switching to a three-man defence, but to no avail.
Another two points dropped, and we need Chelsea to start losing points.
Man Utd: Van der Sar, Bardsley (Rossi 81), Ferdinand, Silvestre, O'Shea, Fletcher (Ronaldo 75), Smith, Scholes, Rooney, van Nistelrooy, Park.
