Point gained is two lost

Point gained is two lost

Tottenham 2

Manchester United 2

It was a minor classic that may have major repercussions.

There is respite for the beleaguered Andre Villas-Boas, who awoke to see stories that Tottenham are lining up potential successors.

There was proof of their resolve from Manchester United, who twice came from behind to procure a point, courtesy of a rampant Wayne Rooney, and yet seem further off the pace in the title race.

In isolation, it was an excellent result. Given the context of a table that shows them nine points behind Arsenal, it was less encouraging. United are now unbeaten in 12 games but, like Spurs, they are burdened by past failures.

With a committed, coherent display, Spurs illustrated that last week's 6-0 defeat at Manchester City was a one-off, but all has not been forgotten and forgiven. When Aaron Lennon, who had tormented Patrice Evra, was substituted, Villas-Boas' decision was greeted with boos.

Besides games, he has to win the battle for hearts and minds. David Moyes' most significant piece of persuasion came with his summer efforts to reintegrate and rejuvenate an unsettled Rooney.

They have been a spectacular success and the striker's brace, besides taking his tally to five goals in as many league games, helped compensate for the continued absence of the injured Robin van Persie.

In contrast, Tottenham's scorers have been strangers to the scoresheet - Kyle Walker had not struck for 19 months while Sandro netted for just the third time in a 31/2-year Spurs career - but the entire team have been short of goals.

The opener was their first in the league since October. With others firing blanks, Walker has emerged as the first-choice free-kick taker and, after Jonny Evans chopped down Paulinho, the right-back thumped a shot underneath a jumping wall.

Had the United defenders simply stood still, they would have blocked it.

While the team's drought has ended, Roberto Soldado's goes on. The £26 million (S$53.4 million) striker spurned a glorious opportunity when, after a defence-splitting pass from the influential Paulinho, he blazed over and kicked the advertising hoardings in frustration.

It proved costly. An altogether more reliable finisher levelled three minutes later. Rooney produced an unstoppable shot after the marauding Phil Jones' cross bounced back off an unwitting Walker.

Spurs' second was decidedly special. Sandro let fly from 25 metres, picking out the top corner and leaving David de Gea motionless.

Yet, their problems have changed: after finally finding goals, now they are losing leads and Rooney levelled for the second time from the penalty spot after Hugo Lloris upended Danny Welbeck to deny the Spurs manager the vindication of victory.

So an action-packed game ended with an appropriate scoreline. On the day, plenty emerged in credit yet, if it was a must-win match for both, neither could really celebrate.


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