United Top the Christmas Tree

John O'Shea netted only his second goal of his career to give United an early lead, and Ruud Van Nistelrooy doubled the advantage with a well taken goal in the 25th minute. However, once again United allowed the opposition to get back into the game after being two goals to the good, with Gustavo Poyet putting the result in doubt.

United survived until full-time though and for the majority of the game looked good for the win. The result should never really have been in doubt if it had not been for some poor finishing from the United forward line.

Ryan Giggs and Ruud Van Nistelrooy went close in the early exchanges and United made their intent clear to the travelling masses. The reds in attendance didn't have to wait much longer for the goal, with the opener coming from the surprising source of John O'Shea. Youngster Darren Fletcher whipped in the corner that was met by the head of John O'Shea and flew past Sours 'keeper Keller.

His American counterpart Tim Howard was called into action only moments after the goal. Tottenham broke away and Simon Davies got his head to a bouncer from a long ball played from the defence, but Howard managed to palm the effort away and the ball was cleared to safety.

Gustavo Poyet also went close with a low drive, but the majority of the half was dominated by the visitors. United had a series of chances to double the advantage before Ruud Van Nistelrooy struck to leave David Pleat's side with a mountain to climb. The Dutch forward beat the Spurs offside trap to pounce on a Ryan Giggs through ball and slotting the ball past Keller with the help of a slight deflection off Anthony Gardner.

The Tottenham defence looked shaky throughout, and United's quick one-touch style was causing them all sorts of problems. Relegation has become an issue with the North London club and they now sit only two points off the dreaded red zone, with two of the sides in the relegation area having a game in hand.

Into the second-half and Van Nistelrooy came close to doubling his goal tally on the day with firing a shot inches wide, as United remained in comfortable control. However, we were made to sweat for the three points in a game that should have been put beyond doubt in the first-half as Poyet brought Spurs back into the game.

Dalmat knocked Paul Konchesky's deep cross into the United six-yard box, and the Uruguayan international reacted quickly stabbing the ball past Tim Howard from close-range. The goal worked as a real life to the whites and their supporters, but United managed to calm the storm and still looked the better side in the closing stages, despite close chances from Robbie Keane and Rohan Ricketts for the hosts.

The result was a very pleasing one against a potential banana skin of an away trip. The Spurs trip had traditionally provided a tough game for United, but we came through this one well and now top the pile going into the festive season. The only real worry was our inability to completely finish off Spurs when we had the chance, and they did manage to get themselves back into the game but we coped well in the closing stages.

Merry Christmas to all, and how could we celebrate better than with having United top of the Premiership?

Full Time - Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Manchester United

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