DELE ALLI had a moment of sheer genius but couldn’t save Tottenham from slipping to a 2-1 defeat against Manchester United.
Marcus Rashford threatened time and time again in a frenetic first-half, scoring the game’s first goal in the sixth minute, with a powerful shot slipping through Paulo Gazzaniga at the near-post.
Dele Alli’s moment of genius saw Spurs briefly get back on level termsCredit: PA:Press Association
But a moment of pure quality from Dele Alli saw Spurs equalise shortly before the interval.
Rashford deservedly got his second of the match early in the second-half after winning – and converting – a penalty after a needless foul by Moussa Sissoko.
After an exciting clash at Old Trafford, here’s how SunSport’s Dave Fraser rated Spurs’ stars against Man Utd…
PAULO GAZZANIGA – 5
Beaten at his near post far too easily for Man Utd’s opener despite getting a hand on it. Should have done better.
Two great saves to deny Rashford a second as he got a fingertip on a 20-yard effort to divert it onto the bar before palming another effort wide.
Another strong save from Daniel James in the second-half went a way to redeeming himself for his early error.
SERGE AURIER – 6
Dangerous going forward and linking up with Lucas Moura on the right, but far too often his end product was wasteful.
Much improved delivery in the second-half.
DAVINSON SANCHEZ – 6
Solid when called upon but a quiet game for the Colombian.
TOBY ALDERWEIRELD – 5
Failed to make his mark on the game, with Jan Vertonghen – so often his centre-back partner down the years – on the left.
Didn’t put a foot wrong necessarily, but is also a part of a Spurs defence who’ve conceded twice in every, single game under Jose Mourinho.
JAN VERTONGHEN – 6
Solid on the left, but the centre-back by nature will never be the sort to take on the opponent’s right-back, struggling to get the Spurs attackers into the game early on.
Good in defence though, keeping Daniel James quiet by his high standards – and also delivered a superb cross late in the first-half in a rare threatening moment for Tottenham.
HARRY WINKS – 6
Booked for a dangerous and unnecessary lunge on Daniel James early on.
Hurt midway through the second-half and limped off for treatment. Unable to run it off and ultimately replaced by Tanguy Ndombele.
Moussa Sissoko struggled mightily at Old TraffordCredit: PA:Press Association
MOUSSA SISSOKO – 4
Lucky to avoid a booking for a horrible, high tackle on Fred in the first-half.
Gave away a needless penalty early in the second half for treading on Rashford’s foot with the ball surely running out of play.
LUCAS MOURA – 6
Looked lively throughout and always more than happy to run at defenders. He didn’t always have the desired effect, though.
Strong link-up play with Aurier down the right.
DELE ALLI – 8
A player reborn in the last few weeks, a moment of genius saw Alli flick the ball over Fred and Ashley Young before smashing the ball past David De Gea to equalise for Spurs.
Looked back to his creative best in recent weeks and carried that on throughout the game, even with Spurs being outplayed.
Nearly grabbed a late equaliser with a solid strike, only to see his effort saved by David De Gea.
SON HEUNG-MIN – 6
Always a very real danger in attack, mixing pace and composure to bamboozle defenders.
HARRY KANE – 5
Unusually quiet. Failed to get into the game as Spurs attacked primarily down the right flank rather than through the middle.
With Tottenham’s final pass often lacking, Kane was a spectator.
SUBS
Christian Eriksen (for Lucas Moura, 64 mins) – Mixed dreadful (passing the ball straight out of play) with the sublime (lofted ball to Aurier in the box) in an inconsistent showing. 5.
Tanguy Ndombele (for Harry Winks, 70 mins) – Instantly better than Sissoko after stepping on to the pitch. Should be starting. 6.
Giovani Lo Celso (for Moussa Sissoko, 85 mins) – Little time to have any impact on the game. 5.
Jose Mourinho superfan Viv Bodycote gets her 38th tattoo of ‘The Special One’ to mark his return to management
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
