Spurs give Utd title fright

Man Utd came from two goals down to defeat Spurs 5-2, but a contentious penalty decision proved the catalyst for the comeback.

Champions fight back to record dramatic 5-2 victory

Manchester United came from two goals down to defeat Tottenham Hotspur 5-2, but a contentious penalty decision proved the catalyst for the dramatic comeback. Liverpool's victory at Hull City earlier on Saturday turned up the heat on the Premier League champions as Rafa Benitez's men went to the summit on goal difference. And Spurs rocked Old Trafford as they took a two-goal lead in the first half courtesy of goals from Darren Bent and Luka Modric, both players capitalising on sloppy United defending. Twelve minutes into the second period, though, the Red Devils were handed a lifeline when referee Howard Webb pointed to the penalty spot despite Spurs goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes taking the ball when challenging Michael Carrick. And so the turnaround ensued as Cristiano Ronaldo dispatched and Wayne Rooney soon levelled with a shot at Gomes' near post, before the former completed the comeback a minute later with a close-range diving header. There was further salt in the wound to come for Tottenham when Rooney grabbed his second of the match before former Spurs striker Dimitar Berbatov helped bundle the ball over the line to ensure United returned to the top.

Uneasy

Anyone at Wembley last month to witness a goalless Carling Cup final between this pair that United eventually won on penalties could not have failed to notice Aaron Lennon's bewitching performance on the Spurs' right. Indeed, Patrice Evra's subsequent dip in form was attributed in some quarters to the pounding he took from Lennon's direct runs. Evra must have been experiencing an uneasy sense of deja-vu given the way Lennon chose to attack him again. The United defence appeared unnerved. And when Lennon laid off a short pass to Vedran Corluka, the returning Rio Ferdinand failed to deal with the cross and Bent lashed home from six yards. Then Lennon provided, crossing to the far post station Rafael Da Silva had left unattended. Give players of Modric's class time to control and shoot and you are asking for trouble, which is exactly what United were in as the Croat's close-range shot bulged the net. Tottenham's lead was not the backdrop Tevez would have imagined trying to make an impact from when he was once again named on the bench. Still it offered the South American a heaven-sent opportunity, which would have been snaffled within minutes had he been able to take advantage when Ronaldo sent him through, rather than firing straight at Gomes.

Awesome

It just proved to be the prelude for an awesome display of attacking power, United cutting loose once Ronaldo had given them hope from the spot. Tevez did not score but he was the man who emerged from the maelstrom with the ball and set up Rooney, who cut in off the left flank and beat Gomes at his near post. Within two minutes, United were in front, Rooney crossing expertly for Ronaldo, whose diving header was too powerful for Gomes to keep out. By now Tottenham were dazzled and dazed by the power they were facing, the destination of the points no longer in doubt. Another Rooney goal followed, Jonathan Woodgate unable to keep it out as he slid across the line trying to block a shot that would have gone in anyway. A Gomes tangle with Jenas left Berbatov to scramble home number five against his old club. After Liverpool's eight-goal thriller with Arsenal, it was another example of why the Premier League is the most entertaining in the world.

Manchester United	Team Statistics	Tottenham Hotspur
5	Goals	2
0	1st Half Goals	2
13	Shots on Target	4
5	Shots off Target	3
6	Blocked Shots	0
6	Corners	2
19	Fouls	13
4	Offsides	2
3	Yellow Cards	3
0	Red Cards	0
83.5	Passing Success	78.3
13	Tackles	21
76.9	Tackles Success	61.9
58.9	Possession	41.1
48.7	Territorial Advantage	51.3