Manchester United 1 - 0 Tottenham Hotspur
Saturday 9th September 2006
Old Trafford, Manchester
It was a new Premiership record attendance of 75,453 who turned up to watch Man United take on Spurs.
No one expected the game to be easy, with Spurs having performed well last season and added to their squad, but that didn't stop the fans expecting a win - and the continuation of another record, Manchester United's 100% points record.
Fulham, Charlton, Watford and now Tottenham have fallen under United's spell, and whilst they're not the biggest teams, its reassuring that United can beat these kind of teams, especially when you consider that last season we struggled against those same teams that closed down space and tried to stop us getting through.
In truth, it should have been more comprehensive, with Louis Saha missing two one-on-one chances with just the keeper to beat, and with Ronaldo hitting the post with a decent effort early doors.
It was a young side that took to the field, with both Scholes and Rooney suspended, allowing a spot on the park fo the unlikely Richardson, who has yet to repeat his West Brom heroics for the Reds.
Fergie's preferred partnership of Brown and Ferdinand were flanked by Neville and Evra, with Carrick and O' Shea holding up the ball in central midfield. Ronaldo and Richardson used their pace on the wings, adn Giggs played 'in the hole' behind Saha.
The goal came just 9 minutes into the match. A swerving, curling, dropping set-piece from Cristiano Ronaldo could only be flapped clear by Robinson, who had the sun in his eyes. The ball fell onto Ryan Giggs' head, and he was able to direct the ball towards goal again, just scraping in under the cross-bar.
Spurs' game plan to stop United scoring and then counter was down the drain, and they were forced to move forwards, offering United the chance to use their speed and attack on the break.
Despite Saha's chances, created by a fine pass from Ronaldo and a Giggs throughball, the Frenchman was unable to capitalise, and with the missed opportunities went United fan's finger-nails with supprters nervously watchingas United saw out the final ten minutes in fear of a Spurs goal.
It never came, and United have 12 points from 12. Superb.
Man Utd: Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Brown, Evra, Ronaldo (Silvestre 90), Carrick (Fletcher 79), O'Shea, Richardson (Park 70), Giggs, Saha.
