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Manchester United ended 2014 on an unbeaten note after playing out a goalless draw in the 19th Barclays Premier League 2014-15 fixture against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. Both sides squandered a number of opportunities as Hugo Lloris and David De Gea got their clean sheets at White Hart Lane.
The result means the Red Devils will finish the year in third place with 36 points as they gear up for the second-half of the season. The North London club on the other hand have climbed to sixth place and can possibly end eighth should Arsenal and Swansea City manage to beat West Ham United and Liverpool respectively.
Both sides had same number of chances (nine) but Louis van Gaal’s side managed to keep five shots on target as opposed to the home side (four). The home side looked to seize the upper hand right from the start but Ryan Mason’s shot within the first 56 seconds was blocked. As the clock ticked, Juan Mata and Radamel Falcao were caught offside.
Falcao, who is looking for his third goal for United this season, forced Lloris to produce a save in the 19th minute. Less than two minutes later, Andros Townsend tested De Gea and the Spaniard was poised to save the winger’s left-footed shot. The action was end-to-end as the visitors got a free-kick in a dangerous position.
Mata’s attempt was deflected towards the upright by the wall but the ball stayed in play. Robin van Persie and Falcao charged towards the ball but somehow Spurs were able to clear their lines after the former failed to find his finishing touch. United continued to push and in the 24th minute panic ensued inside Lloris’ box. Jan Vertonghen failed to clear Phil Jones’ header before the ball could fully cross the line but luckily for Mauricio Pochettino’s side, the linesman’s flag was raised as the 22-year-old defender was offside. The first-half concluded with Ashley Young’s brilliant curling shot towards the top corner saved by Lloris.
The first-half concluded with Ashley Young’s brilliant curling shot towards the top corner saved by Lloris. The second-half saw a slight increase in tempo but the goals continued to evade the spectators. In the 68th minute, Mata sent his shot over the crossbar from Rafael da Silva’s cross and Mason emulated the same in the 82nd minute in what could have been clearly the winner. Tottenham will now play Chelsea at home on New Year’s Day while Van Gaal takes his side to the Britannia Stadium to face Stoke City.
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