Tottenham embarrasses Manchester United at Old Trafford

Tottenham is experiencing a turning point in the Premier League. After a season start full of ups and downs, the team led by Ange Postecoglou seems to have found its winning groove. With two consecutive victories, including a commanding 3-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford, the Spurs have climbed two spots in the standings and are beginning to show they’ve got what it takes.

Follow Playing for 90 on X (Twitter).

A win to be proud of

The match against Manchester United was the kind of game that can define a season. Stepping into the "Theatre of Dreams" and not just winning, but completely dominating from start to finish, is no small feat. In the opening minutes, Tottenham made it clear what they were there to do. Brennan Johnson put them on the scoreboard just two minutes into the game, capitalizing on a brilliant play by defender Micky van de Ven, who charged through United's defense, crossed the ball, and found Johnson wide open to slot it in.

Ange Postecoglou, always thoughtful, didn’t hide his satisfaction after the final whistle. “I think we were really good. We didn’t let them breathe. Bruno Fernandes' red card was simply a result of the pressure we put on them. They couldn’t get out of their own half, and that’s all credit to our players,” the coach said.

And Postecoglou was spot on. Even before Fernandes’ sending off, United was already on the ropes. Tottenham not only created several clear chances, but also hit the post and forced Onana into some tough saves, avoiding an even bigger disaster. “We should have put the game to bed in the first half. We created so many chances, but missed some details here and there. Either way, the performance was excellent,” the Spurs manager added.

The red card and game control

The match took a sharp turn when Bruno Fernandes was sent off in the 41st minute after a reckless challenge on James Maddison. With a man advantage and already leading, Tottenham took complete control. Two minutes into the second half, Kulusevski doubled the lead, practically sealing the victory. From then on, the Spurs played smart, taking their time, controlling possession, and leaving United in shock.

Postecoglou praised his team’s tactical discipline: “Even with 10 men, United is always dangerous. They’ve got fast players up front and are lethal on the counter. So, I told our players to stay focused and disciplined. We did that really well. Even with the extra man, we didn’t lose shape and kept control of the game.”

With a comfortable lead, there was still time for Solanke to add a third goal and put the game beyond any doubt. The win, besides being a harsh blow to Manchester United, was a clear sign of just how well Tottenham can play when they’re focused and in sync.

Two Wins, Two spots higher in the standings

With this impressive win, along with the previous one, Tottenham moved up two spots in the standings, now sitting in eighth place with 10 points. More important than the position, however, is the feeling that the team has finally found its rhythm. “We’re growing. We’re not where we want to be yet, but this is the path. It’s not just about winning, but about how we’re playing. We’re on the right track, but we need to keep our focus and intensity,” Postecoglou concluded.