Pedro Porro of Tottenham Hotspur (R) heads the ball past Alejandro Garnacho of Manchester United. Photo: Photosport
Manchester United were held to a 2-2 Premier League draw by Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Monday in a disappointing result for Erik ten Hag's team who twice took the lead but were pegged back by an aggressive performance from the visitors.
Rasmus Hojlund's early opener was cancelled out by Richarlison and Rodrigo Bentancur levelled again for Spurs after Marcus Rashford had put United back in front.
Spurs, who were hit hard by illness this week, remained fifth in the table, level on 40 points with fourth-placed Arsenal but having played a game more.
"Delighted, mate," Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou told the BBC.
"You always want to win games but I couldn't be prouder of the players. They have had to deal with a fair bit this week and to put on a performance like that... I thought the way we handled the game was outstanding."
United climbed a spot to seventh, but are eight points adrift of the top four.
"I am quite disappointed, when you go ahead twice and then concede two soft goals it is a bit frustrating, but you have to take it as it is," Ten Hag told the BBC.
"The attitude from the team was great, the spirit was great."
United got off to a lively start with a goal from Hojlund in the third minute. The 20-year-old scored for the second time in as many home games with a ferocious left-footed shot to the top corner. Richarlison capitalised on United's poor marking to head in the equaliser from a corner in the 19th.
Rashford put United back on top just before the break after a quick one-two with Hojlund for his fourth goal of the season and first at home.
Bentancur cancelled out Rashford's goal when he scored less than a minute after the interval, taking a pass from debutant Timo Werner before firing the ball past goalkeeper Andre Onana.
Scott McTominay almost netted a winner seconds before the final whistle, but his header from Alejandro Garnacho's pinpoint cross sailed just over the bar.
Some good news for injury-plagued United was the return of Lisandro Martinez, who played for the first time since their Champions League game against Bayern Munich on Sept. 20.
British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, who struck a deal to take a minority stake at Manchester United last month, attended the game and was spotted talking to United's former manager Alex Ferguson, who was seated next to him.
Villa stay third
Aston Villa missed the chance to go level at the top of the Premier League when they were held to a 0-0 draw by Everton at Goodison Park.
Villa moved to 43 points from 21 games, level with second-placed Manchester City, but two behind league leaders Liverpool. Both those clubs have played a game fewer. Everton are now a point clear of the relegation zone with 17 from their 21 matches.
The visitors had several chances to open the scoring, but the best opportunity in the game fell to Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin when he raced clear one-on-one with Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez, but had his effort saved.
Both sides had goals correctly chalked off by the Video Assistant Referee for offside and Everton will be the happier with the point, while Villa manager Unai Emery may well view it as a missed opportunity and two dropped after his first 0-0 draw in 97 games in the Premier League.
It is the longest a manager has gone in the competition's history before being involved in a goalless draw.
Captain Seamus Coleman made his 355th appearance in the Premier League for Everton, a club record.
- Reuters