De Ligt Denies Tottenham As Manchester United Secure Late Draw

‎Tottenham Hotspur’s hopes of a statement victory were crushed at the last possible moment as Matthijs de Ligt rose highest to nod home a stoppage-time equaliser, earning Manchester United a 2-2 draw in a thrilling Premier League encounter in North London.

‎Separated by just four points at the end of last season and level on goal difference heading into this clash it came as no surprise that the opening exchanges were cagey. Both teams showed plenty of tactical discipline but little attacking spark.

‎Mbeumo Strikes to Punish Spurs’ Sloppiness

‎A spell of scrappy defending left Spurs unable to clear their lines, and when the ball was recycled to the right flank, Amad Diallo delivered a teasing cross to the back post. Waiting there was Bryan Mbeumo, the Premier League’s Player of the Month for October, who guided a superb header inside the near post to put the visitors in front.

‎It was Mbeumo’s fifth goal in nine career appearances against Spurs and his clinical finish showed exactly why Thomas Frank’s United have been so dangerous in transition this season.

‎For Tottenham, the strike was another reminder of their struggles to recover from losing positions; they’d salvaged just two points from such situations before kickoff.

‎Lammens Stands Firm as Spurs Fight Back

‎After the break, Tottenham came out with renewed urgency. Amorim’s men pushed higher up the pitch, increasing the tempo and testing United’s back line.

‎But Senne Lammens, deputising in goal for United, was in inspired form. The Belgian produced a string of excellent saves first denying Cristian Romero’s close-range effort before reacting superbly to keep out João Palhinha’s fierce volley.

‎The home fans thought they had reason to celebrate when Brennan Johnson coolly slotted home just past the hour mark, only for VAR to rule him offside.

‎Tel Turns the Tide for Spurs

‎Just when Tottenham needed a spark, substitute Mathys Tel provided it. Introduced midway through the second half, the young Frenchman made an instant impact.

‎Receiving a cross from Destiny Udogie, Tel showed remarkable composure turning sharply away from De Ligt before unleashing a powerful shot that deflected past Lammens to level the scores. It was a moment of individual brilliance that breathed life back into the Spurs’ challenge.

‎United nearly reclaimed the lead moments later through Benjamin Šeško, but Micky van de Ven produced a sensational recovery tackle to deny him. Unfortunately for United, Šeško picked up an injury in the process, leaving them to finish the match with 10 men.

‎Richarlison and De Ligt Late Goal

‎With a man advantage, Tottenham pressed relentlessly for a winner and they thought they had found it spectacularly.

‎A late corner was only half-cleared, falling kindly to Wilson Odobert, whose strike looked goal-bound until Richarlison instinctively redirected it into the bottom corner.

‎The Brazilian’s clever finish sent the stadium into raptures, seemingly sealing three precious points.

‎But Manchester United had one final twist in store. Pushing forward with one last attack, they forced a corner in the 96th minute.

‎Bruno Fernandes swung in a perfect delivery to the back post, and Matthijs de Ligt powered home a towering header to silence the home crowd and rescue a point for the visitors.

‎What It Means

‎For Manchester United, this hard-fought draw extends their unbeaten streak to five matches in all competitions and reinforces their resilience under Thomas Frank.

‎While they’ll be disappointed not to have held on for all three points, the manner of their equaliser will feel like a moral victory.

‎For Tottenham, however, it’s a bitter pill to swallow. Rúben Amorim’s side showed spirit and attacking quality to overturn a deficit, only to let victory slip away in the dying seconds.