Tottenham vs. Manchester United: Score, Grades, Reaction from Premier League

Tottenham 0-0 Manchester United

Tottenham and Manchester United shared the points at White Hart Lane on Sunday, but the home side owed a debt of gratitude to goalkeeper Hugo Lloris for keeping his team in the contest at half-time.

The France international pulled off a string of fine saves to prevent the Old Trafford club from building further momentum after their Boxing Day win over Newcastle. Radamel Falcao, Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie were all thwarted by Lloris in the first half before the creative outlet of Juan Mata appeared to dry up in the second.

Tottenham head coach Mauricio Pochettino made four changes to his team, with Vlad Chiriches, Ben Davies, Ryan Mason and Andros Townsend coming in to replace Kyle Walker, Danny Rose, Nabil Bentaleb and Erik Lamela. Louis van Gaal, meanwhile, named the same XI for the first time in the Premier League this season, and he added Luke Shaw to his bench after six games out with an ankle injury.

There were two early chances to open the scoring with Harry Kane's path to goal being blocked by the United defence, before the Spurs back line closed down Falcao quickly after a great touch and pass from Rooney.

Lloris did well to punch a dangerous inswinging Mata free-kick away as United continued their impressive start to the game. Falcao was granted a great chance to give United a 19th-minute lead after an excellent pass into the channel by Mata, but the Colombia international's shot was weak and directly at Lloris.

Kane went close at the other end as Spurs began to find their feet in the game, and Townsend forced a good save out of David de Gea. But Tottenham were fortunate not to concede in the 22nd minute. A Mata free-kick took a slight deflection before hitting the post before Van Persie attempted to turn the rebound home. Lloris was a mere spectator as the ball appeared to head for goal, but Chiriches was on the line to clear the danger.

Moments later, Phil Jones headed goalwards from close range after a cross deceived the Spurs defence. Lloris got a hand to the effort, but Jan Vertonghen was still required to hook the ball away as United claimed it had crossed the line. However, an offside call by the referee left any further controversy muted.

Benjamin Stambouli became the first player cautioned for a 27th-minute foul on Michael Carrick.

Falcao tested Lloris in the 34th minute after another great ball from Mata, but the France international was equal to the curling effort. Six minutes before the interval, Van Persie looked set to give United the lead after controlling a great ball over the top by Carrick, but the Netherlands international was thwarted by Lloris in the Spurs goal.

Ashley Young sent over a fine 43rd-minute cross to the penalty spot, which was met by another late run from Rooney, but Lloris saved well from the United captain's header. The Frenchman was again called into action with another excellent diving save to prevent Young from opening the scoring.

Van Gaal was forced into a switch at half-time with Rafael coming on to replace the injured Antonio Valencia.

Young entered the referee's notebook in the 50th minute for a foul on Nacer Chadli, while Jones needed to be alert moments later as Federico Fazio looked to get a touch on a low Kane cross into the United area. Carrick found Mata in the 55th minute with a smart pass through the Spurs midfield, but Van Persie could not connect fully with the Spaniard's cross.

The game had lost the exciting ebb and flow of attacks which had coloured the opening period, and in its place there was attrition in some challenges between the two sides.

Townsend took matters into his own hands with a stinging shot to enliven the home crowd, but De Gea was comfortably behind the effort.

Mata had been a joy to watch in the opening half, but his finishing proved less impressive than his creativity when he blasted over a Rafael cross inside the Spurs area in the 69th minute. Paddy McNair was cautioned for a foul on Kane, while Chris Smalling came on for Jonny Evans in the 72nd minute. Shaw came on to replace McNair with 15 minutes remaining as Van Gaal once more switched his defensive line-up.

Christian Eriksen brought a save from De Gea with his dipping free-kick in the 79th minute before Lamela came on for Chadli for Spurs. Mason squandered a great chance to open the scoring nine minutes before the end when he blazed over following an exquisite reverse pass into his path by Kane. 

Neither side really looked an attacking threat in the second period, and the match ended in stalemate.

Selected Player Ratings

Juan Mata: A-

A superb display of creativity in the first half for the United midfielder, coupled with a great work-rate. But much less of a threat in the second period, and he had a poor miss in front of goal.

Hugo Lloris: A+

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Almost single-handedly kept Tottenham in the match during the opening 45 minutes with a string of great saves. Less hectic in the second period, but he maintained his alertness.

Wayne Rooney: A

Deeper role clearly suits the United captain, who revelled in the position at White Hart Lane. Always a dangerous presence for any opposition team, and runs from deep were a particularly potent threat in the first half. Easily contained in the second period, though.

What's Ahead

Tottenham will now turn their attention to a London derby against Chelsea at White Hart Lane on Thursday.

Manchester United make the short trip to Stoke City on New Year's Day for their next Premier League fixture.

Post-Match Reaction

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