Tottenham 0-3 Man United: Cristiano Ronaldo as beleaguered Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scores critical victory
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The six-time Ballon d’Or winner produced an influential display at the right time in a decisive 3-0 victory in north London for his extremely pressured manager, who was in desperate need of a result amid intense competition speculation about his future after going 5-0 at home last weekend. humiliation by rivals Liverpool.
Ronaldo provided his own brilliant goal as well as an assist for Edinson Cavani, with substitute Marcus Rashford also giving Solskjaer a much-needed respite.
While he’s not out of the woods yet, it’s his Spurs counterpart Nuno who will now feel the heat after a desperate display on his part.
The team selections of the respective managers – Solskjaer with three at the back and Nuno drafting Ben Davies and Giovani Lo Celso – had instead suggested that there would be a cautious start to the proceedings.
However, there was an exciting pace from the start as Heung-min Son’s first shot was deflected by Fred.
Cavani shot a wide header from the far post before being pushed back by the impressive Aaron Wan-Bissaka, with an instant shot from the Uruguayan blocked by Eric Dier.
United’s muted penalty calls were dismissed as Fred fell under pressure from Lo Celso, while Tottenham were also denied a kick as Davies’ cross was gunned into Wan-‘s elbow. Bissaka, whose arm was tight against her body.
Tottenham should then have gone ahead when Lo Celso fired a disappointing free-kick into the wall, but the hosts kept the ball alive and Lucas Moura’s smart pass to the near post was brilliantly repelled by Son before he he only shoots point blank.
Cavani sent another wide header and Spurs believed they had taken the lead when Cristian Romero escaped the attention of his compatriot South American at the far post and knelt down after Dier tapped a corner right, but the offside flag was rightly – and belatedly – raised as the defender walked away in celebration.
Hugo Lloris was out of breath to tip Fred’s ambitious effort and Tottenham’s frustration was compounded by a goal scored in Portugal as Fernandes ‘perfect ball over Davies’ head was expertly returned to through Lloris and in the far corner of a difficult angle by Ronaldo.
Spurs’ attempts to strike back before the break were unsuccessful as Lo Celso shot on it and Davies took off from a corner with Romero in a better position.
United were quickly back on the attack in the second half, but David de Gea heaved a sigh of relief as Son pulled off after his poor clearance went straight to Lucas.
Ronaldo then celebrated a second goal as his emphatic arrival left Lloris rooted in the spot after a brilliant job from Scott McTominay, but the offside flag was once again properly raised.
Lo Celso badly botched a promising Spurs counter and home fans’ frustration with Nuno became crystal clear as widespread boos and chants of ‘you don’t know what you are doing’ hailed his decision to replace Lucas by Steven Bergwijn.
Tottenham applied good pressure but desperately lacked quality and poise, with Harry Maguire making a slippery intervention after a good link play involving Emerson Royal, Lo Celso and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
Oliver Skipp was inexplicably taken in by Fernandes and Ronaldo took over, beating Skipp with a Cruyff turn, then playing a formidable pass for his attacking partner Cavani, who coolly dominated Lloris to make it 2-0. .
Rashford came off the bench to secure a comfortable victory for United, with two more crucial games ahead of Solskjaer, away from Atalanta in the Champions League before City went to Old Trafford for the Manchester derby.
Top Stories Usa News Tottenham 0-3 Man United: Cristiano Ronaldo as beleaguered Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scores critical victory