After the ecstasy of finally getting a Premier League victory, United was brought back down to earth with a bump as they were soundly beaten by Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon at Bramall Lane. Spurs won for the first time at the Lane in the league since 1975 and were good value for the win. They started in rampant mood and Aurier headed home and they could have had more goals before Kane capitalised on a Norwood error to make it 2-0. McGoldrick, who was the only United player to come out with any real credit again, headed home a Fleck cross and hope was alive but almost straight away more sloppy work led to a third goal.
There was no Ben Osborn or Lys Mousset for the Blades with both out injured. Enda Stevens came back in at left wing-back in an otherwise unchanged line-up. George Baldock was back on a bench that only included 7 of a possible 9 he could include with no youngsters names this week to supplant those named. Jose Mourinho made three changes with Roden, Davies and Bergwjin in. Kane and Son began up top with Bale, Lamela and Moura on a strong bench. There was no place in the matchday squad for Dele Ali showing the strength and depth of the Tottenham side.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkMpXT37_gA
Spurs came flying out of the traps and the tone was set after 45 seconds when Ramsdale sliced a back pass in the air. The visitors were pushed high up the field and Bergwjin was on the ball and fired a shot that Ramsdale had to tip over. From the corner, the ball was in the net. Ramsdale stayed at home and Bogle was outmuscled by AURIER who headed home too easily. It was another headed goal from a set play with the defence looking at the keeper and Ramsdale looking at his defenders. Whoever was at fault it was way too easy.
Spurs were rampant and a simple slide rule ball from Kane to Son saw the striker in and he chipped over Ramsdale but it hit the near post. It was a huge let-off. The game could have been over after 7 minutes. United had not been in the game at all and it was one-way traffic with stronger and quicker players wearing Green. United did finally mount an attack on 10 but Burke’s shot was deflected wide. The corner saw Basham head back but Davies was able to head clear.
Basham gave it away and then Lundstram as the Blades could not even keep the ball. Son nearly got in again as Ampadu had to clear. The next spell saw Spurs just knock it about calmly and it was all too easily but at least Norwood had a shot that was blocked but then as Spurs broke Kane was pulled down by the midfielder who was booked. The ball went out for a corner and Ramsdale flapped away under no pressure.
Burke finally had a shot for the sluggish Blades but it was straight at Lloris. The keeper then had to make another regulation save from Fleck as finally, we saw some life from the Blades. Norwood then nearly threaded McGoldrick in after this better spell.
Still, Spurs still looked the far more likely and Reguilon showed great skill to get away from two players and Son’s cross was half-cleared but dropped under Ramsdale’s bar. The keeper was not convincing as he flapped the ball away as Kane challenged.
On 40 minutes, the second goal came and it was more awful defending. Ramsdale threw it out to Bogle who played it into Norwood and the midfielder’s touch was awful and he lost it. His attempt to win it back was pitiful and KANE was onto it. The midfielder shrugged off Basham easily and curled it into the bottom corner. It was a well-taken goal and made to look easy but appalling play to give it away and the attempts to recover it from United was as bad.
Basham had a ball in that fell to Bogle whose shot was blocked by Dier and Rodon went down in the move with an injury but recovered. The half time whistle went soon after and it had been a comfortable 45 minutes for the away side.
The second half saw Stevens at least in the Spurs half and his cross was headed well over by Bogle. At least the wing backs were higher up the field. A better move on the next attack saw neat football with McGoldrick and Basham combining for the cross back to Stevens whose effort was blocked.
Spurs then broke from a corner United won and Bergwjin was away but Lundstram chopped him down for a yellow card. Kane took the free-kick as United were half asleep and Ramsdale had to flick over the bar.
Ramsdale’s sloppy game continued when he came out to a routine through ball as Son went in and the keeper failed to gather again. Norwood once again gave the ball away and Kane advanced before curling just over the bar before United at least had an effort when Lundstram whipped one wide after good work from Fleck.
On the hour mark, United had found an away back into the game. Fleck put over a lovely cross and MCGOLDRICK flicked the ball into the corner and it was 1-2 and game on!
Straight after this Spurs nearly got in and Basham was fortunate not to put through his own net as his toed clearance went just past Ramsdale’s post. United needed to stay in the game after they had got the goal but they could not do this. Amapdu got outmuscled originally on a ball through but then had it back and rolled a pass across to Norwood who lost it under little pressure and Spurs were in. The ball was sent to the far post and NDOMBELE managed to hook the ball over his head with the outside of his foot and into the far corner. It was a tremendous piece of skill and improvisation and a wonderful goal. Once again United had not helped themselves at all again.
This effectively killed the game. Egan had to clear when Ramsdale came and missed it again before Bryan came on for Norwood and Ampadu went into midfield. Brewster then came on for Burke but it seemed like Spurs were the more likely to score again. Kane was in on goal and came away from two weak challenges before it was blocked eventually and then Son had an effort deflected over the bar. Sharp came on for Basham but was caught offside and then fouled needlessly and United now looked well out of ideas and had created nothing since the third goal. Kane was nearly in again but took too long before a run down the right saw Bergwjin have a chance. Kane then fired over after working it onto his right foot before a flurry of late Spurs chances as the game entered three minutes of stoppage time. This passed without incident and Spurs eased to an easy three points as the home side looked completely despondent by the full-time whistle.
Report by deadbat_db