A young United side produced a fine backs-to-the-wall display against a strong Spurs team to gain a massive boost in their quest to make the knockout stages of the Under-21 Premier League. Once again, the goal came from the prolific James Wilson, whose second half strike confirmed once again his immense potential.
Although United would gradually get into the game in the later stages of the first half, Spurs, with Dembele marshalling the midfield, were easily the more threatening side. Ekangamene was forced to make a well-timed tackle to thwart a Spurs attack before McEvoy passed up three chances to give the home side the lead. His first effort was well-saved by Amos and minutes later the keeper was in action again to pull of a fine double save, the second of which was a vital point blank stop from the Spurs number seven again. In the 36th minute, McEvoy wasted an even better chance when he was through with only the keeper to beat, but fired tamely wide.
Although United offered a little more in the second half, it was very much against the run of play when they took the lead, a weaving run and pass from Weir, who’d come on as a first half substitute for the injured Varela, setting up Wilson for a fine strike to the keeper’s right. While Spurs continued to enjoy more of the possession, they struggled to convert this into chances in the second period while Wilson continued to look a threat on the rare occasions he found the ball at his feet.
Spurs looked to snatch a late equaliser in stoppage time and United’s hearts were in mouths as a ball from Ogilvy went across the Reds’ goal without getting a vital touch. It was the closest the home team came to a share of the points and, although they’ll unquestionably feel that was the least they deserved from this game, United left White Hart Lane with a victory that sets them up nicely for the final home game of the season against Norwich on Thursday, though Leicester’s 4-0 thumping of Arsenal means a win in that game might not be enough to secure qualification before we travel to Reading for the last league fixture next week.
