Spurs Stun Old Trafford

Clint Dempsey celebrates his first goal in a Tottenham uniform. (Photo: Tottenham Hotspur)

Clint Dempsey’s first goal for Tottenham Hotspur could have hardly proved more important. The former New England Revolution star’s 52nd minute strike was the game winner as Spurs defeated Manchester United, 3-2, in front of 75,566 at Old Trafford for the first time at the historic stadium since 1989.

“Great performance,” Dempsey told Tottenham’s official Twitter after the match. “First time I’ve won here and the importance of the goal. We’re happy!”

Spurs took a 2-0 lead into halftime through goals from Jan Vertonghen and Gareth Bale, but the visitor’s impressive first half form evaporated in the second 45. United controlled the tempo from the second half kick-off and within five minutes had cut the deficit to one through Nani.

But, Dempsey made it 3-1 off the ensuing kickoff, finishing off a rebound from a Bale shot. The Red Devils would make it 3-2 by the 54th minute through Shinji Kagawa, but Spurs held on from there to grab an impressive three points.

“We played some good football and made lots of chances in the first half,” said Dempsey. “Second (half) we had to work very hard. Lot of character.”

The win moves Tottenham (3-1-2, 11 points) into fifth place in the Premier League. Spurs now sit just one point behind third place United (4-2-0, 12 points) and five points behind first place Chelsea.

“Everyone is excited in the dressing room and we are looking forward,” said Dempsey.

Spurs stunned their hosts by grabbing the lead inside two minutes through Belgian left back Jan Vertonghen. Vertonghen combined with Gareth Bale down the left flank and then cut inside into the box around several Manchester defenders before hitting a right footed shot on frame. His effort deflected off a sliding Jonny Evans arm on its way inside the near post, leaving goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard with no chance.

United again had no answer to Tottenham’s strength down the left flank in the 31st minute when Bale got the ball from Mousa Dembele just past midfield and powered forward. Bale outpaced Rio Ferdinand and cut through the box before slotting a right footed shot inside the far post to give the visitor’s a deserved 2-0 lead.

The home side would bring on Wayne Rooney for Ryan Giggs at half time and within five minutes the move paid dividends as Rooney found the ball in space on the right flank. The English international curled a low cross towards the six-yard box, where Portuguese star Nani was there to tap it past former American international goalkeeper Brad Friedel to put United within one at 2-1 in the 50th minute.

But Tottenham would strike back off the ensuing kickoff as Clint Dempsey would hit for his first goal in a Spurs uniform. Jermain Defoe played Bale into the box, who blasted a shot on frame. Lindegaard made the save, but Dempsey was there to slot the rebound into the empty net to make it 3-1.

It was Dempsey’s fourth straight start for Tottenham. The American star would play 70 minutes – registering two shots – before being replaced by Gylfi Sigurdsson.

The two goal lead wouldn’t last long, however, as Japanese international Shinji Kagawa would pull one back for Manchester in the 54th minute. Robin Van Persie played the perfect pass, allowing Kagawa to turn on a flat-footed Spurs’ defense and get alone into the box before slotting past Friedel just inside the post.

Rooney then nearly had the equalizer in the 61st minute with a free kick from just outside the box. The 26-year-old curled a dipping shot over the wall that beat Friedel only to be denied by the post.

It was all United from there as the heavily fancied Red Devils piled on the pressure for the rest of the match and Tottenham struggled to maintain any pressure. Only six key saves from Friedel and a little help from the crossbar kept Tottenham in the lead at the final whistle.

Tottenham, unbeaten in five Premier League matches (seven game through all competitions) after losing their opener, will look to continue their impressive form when they return home to White Hart Lane to face Aston Villa on Sunday, Oct. 7. Spurs also travel to face Greek side Panathinaikos this week in Europa League action on Thursday, Oct. 4.

Dempsey’s Goal: