Combination of Welbeck and Rooney helps
Man Utd win 3-0
The reigning champions moved into second place behind rivals Manchester City with a comfortable win at home to Spurs – though it needed one of Alex Ferguson's notorious half-time team talks to shake United from their slumber.
After a sluggish first 45 minutes, the United players were given the proverbial 'hairdryer' from Ferguson in the dressing room and the blast of hot air did the trick. Second half goals from Danny Welbeck, Anderson and Wayne Rooney meant United join City and Wolves as the only sides to make it two wins from two in the new Premier League campaign.
"We went into the dressing room at half-time and after a few choice words from the gaffer we came out and got started," admitted Welbeck later. The 20-year-old was paired with Wayne Rooney up front ahead of Dimitar Berbatov and the local lad repaid his manager's faith with an accomplished performance.
Welbeck's goal on 61 minutes – a glancing header from Tom Cleverley's cross – finally broke Tottenham's resistance after an hour in which Brad Friedel had made fine saves from Rooney and Anderson. And 15 minutes after opening the scoring Welbeck turned provider, sending Anderson clear with a deft flick that the Brazilian latched on to and drilled past Friedel. Three minutes from time Rooney made it 3-0, rising to nod home a Ryan Giggs cross with his new head of hair.
Spurs were desperately missing the creativity of Luka Modric in midfield and the defeat stretches their losing streak at Old Trafford to 22 years. Manager Harry Redknapp rued the way his side caved in during the final quarter.
"There was nothing in the game until they scored," said Redknapp. "We had as much of it as they did. But once they scored, I put another striker on and suddenly we went out of the game badly."
For Ferguson the result leaves him with an enviable problem, one that must make Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger sick. While the Gunners barely have enough decent players to field a starting XI, Old Trafford is overflowing with riches.
The side that beat Tottenham was the second youngest fielded by Ferguson in the 20 years of the Premier League and the impressive performances of youngsters like Phil Jones (19), Tom Cleverley (22) and Welbeck increases the pressure on established stars such as Rio Ferdinand, Ryan Giggs and Berbatov.
"We still believe in young players," said Ferguson. "That's what this club is about and I think all the fans appreciate that... we've always had confidence to play young players. But this group have such fantastic ability, it forces me to play them really."
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