Tottenham Beat Manchester United 2-0 Behind Christian Eriksen Goal

Christian Eriksen scored in less than 11 seconds to send Tottenham Hotspur on their way to a 2-0 win over Manchester United in the Premier League at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday.

A Phil Jones own goal doubled Tottenham's advantage on a night when United slipped 15 points behind neighbours and leaders Manchester City. Meanwhile, Spurs extended their lead over north London rivals Arsenal to six points and stayed in touch with Chelsea in the race for a top-four finish.

United handed a first league start to former Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez:

Meanwhile, Mousa Dembele joined Eric Dier at the base of a strong Spurs midfield behind the returning Eriksen:

Spurs were in front in a flash from kick-off, with Eriksen slotting home in a fraction under 11 seconds. Kane headed the ball down, and Dele Alli helped it on for the Denmark international, who was unerring with his left-footed finish.

OptaJoe detailed the depressing historical context of the goal for the Red Devils:

United were nearly level before the three-minute mark when Paul Pogba played in Jesse Lingard after fine work from Sanchez. However, Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris stood firm.

The visitors were behind, but their pace, fluidity and movement in wide areas proved pleasing on the eye and posed a major threat. In particular, Sanchez and Anthony Martial were combining well and also switching flanks to confuse the Tottenham defence.

Yet for all their endeavour going forward, United remained nervy at the back, a trait punished when Jones turned Kieran Trippier's cross into his own net on 28 minutes.

It should have been worse when Spurs were denied a strong penalty appeal after Antonio Valencia came across Alli with a two-footed challenge in the box, but referee Andre Marriner quickly dismissed the claim.

Alastair Grant/Associated Press

United were short of ideas after the break, needing key saves from David De Gea to keep them in it. Manager Jose Mourinho hooked Lingard and Pogba for Marouane Fellaini and Juan Mata.

However, Fellaini was soon subbed himself after less than eight minutes in favour of Ander Herrera. Mourinho had been preparing to bring on striker Marcus Rashford but opted for the Spain international, as United continued to be overwhelmed at the back.

While Mourinho was trying to keep the score down, Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News offered an unflattering assessment of the visitors' attempts to come back when trailing:

In fairness, United mustered next to no attacking threat after the break, an alarming occurrence since they had looked dangerous during the first half. The disjointed performance has as good as ended the title race before February.

As for Spurs, they have put Chelsea under major threat and can cement their top-four hopes with a win over Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.