Tottenham Hotspur missed the chance to move into the top four of the Premier League table having been held to a goalless draw by Manchester United at White Hart Lane this afternoon.
Juan Mata came closest to scoring with a free kick that hit the post, while neither Robin van Persie or Radamel Falcao could scramble home the rebound as Vlad Chiriches hacked it off the line.
Phil Jones did get the ball over the line in the first half, but his effort was correctly ruled out for offside in a match that saw both sides squander chances to win.
Read how all of the action unfolded during an absorbing 90 minutes in North London courtesy of Sports Mole's live minute-by-minute coverage below.
Good morning! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for today's early kickoff as Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United meet at White Hart Lane in their final match of 2014. Both teams come into this one in good form, so it will be interesting to see how today's game pans out for the two top-four contenders. Let's start with a look at the hosts...
Spurs have begun to find a bit of consistency under Mauricio Pochettino in recent weeks, with his philosophy starting to pay dividends at White Hart Lane. It is fair to say that the Argentine struggled early in his tenure at the club, and there were even murmurs of him getting the sack due to the trigger-happy nature of chairman Daniel Levy, but he has turned things around and takes his side into 2015 in good shape following a strong finish to the year.
Tottenham come into this match having won their last four games in all competitions, including their last three in the Premier League all by a 2-1 scoreline. They have also progressed into the League Cup semi-finals during that time, getting a kind draw against League One side Sheffield United in the last four, so things are looking bright on a number of fronts for Spurs right now.
That is particularly true of the Premier League, with those three consecutive wins making the league table look a lot better for fans of the North London club. It wasn't long ago that they were languishing in the bottom half, but a successful festive period has seen them climb up to seventh and, more importantly, left them just two points adrift of the top four. Indeed, they would climb into the Champions League places with victory today due to this being the early kickoff, putting the pressure on the likes of West Ham, Southampton and Arsenal, who all play later today.
To be in such a position may have surprised a few fans given their inconsistent start to the season, but Tottenham have certainly not been the only top-four challengers to have struggled in the current campaign. Their saving grace has been the form of the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Everton - the other teams who were expected to push for Champions League qualification - which means that the race for the top four is still very much open. Those teams are expected to improve in the second half of the season, however, so Spurs will be keen to continue their recent good form into the New Year.
In truth, they haven't exactly set the world alight with their performances recently, despite winning four games in a row. Their Premier League victories have been narrow ones, and Spurs have been forced to come from behind more often than they would have liked already this season. Mauricio Pochettino will be happy with the character his side have shown in doing so, but they need to improve at the back if they are to sustain their Champions League challenge. No team in the top nine of the table has conceded more goals than Spurs this season, while at the other end they have scored the fewest in the top seven.
One key area where they have improved, however, comes at White Hart Lane. Spurs were generally better away from home than they were in front of their own fans earlier in the season, but they have now won four of their last five at White Hart Lane, with the other match ending as a draw. Their overall record in the league at home is still not great, with four wins, four defeats and a draw, but there are at least signs of improvement for Pochettino's side.
Goals remain an issue at White Hart Lane, though, and that could prove to be a problem in front of a home crowd that is as demanding as any in the top flight. Spurs have scored just seven times in their last eight Premier League home games, although there has been no shortage of entertainment in their matches on the whole. The 2-1 scoreline seems to be their favourite this season, and three or more goals have been scored in 10 of their last 11 league games.
That statistic will certainly please Manchester United given their attacking prowess, and the Red Devils are in the sort of form that is making them a daunting task to face once again. Louis van Gaal, like Pochettino, got off to an inauspicious start in charge at the club, but he has settled into the role as the season has progressed and will be pleased with his side sitting third in the table at the turn of the year. It is certainly an improvement on last season and, as things stand, they are in pole position to get one of the two top-four places still up for grabs.
The pleasing thing for Van Gaal is that he has managed to get his side winning games and moving up the table despite being ravaged by injuries throughout the campaign so far. United will surely only improve as they return to full fitness throughout the second half of the season, and the Dutchman will be confident that his side can secure third place as a result - and perhaps launch an unlikely bid for the title. Performances have not always been great in recent weeks, but the results continue to arrive.
Indeed, it is now seven wins from their last eight matches in the league, with a 1-1 draw against 10-man Aston Villa the only slight slip-up in that time. They are currently on their longest unbeaten streak in the Premier League for almost two years and are beginning to regain the fear factor that they had under Sir Alex Ferguson as a result. They certainly have the tools to trouble most teams, and will fancy their chances of continuing their good form at White Hart Lane this afternoon.
It was always expected that United's attacking side would not have a problem in front of goal, and ultimately that has proved to be the case, with only Chelsea and Manchester City managing more than United's 33 goals so far this season. The likes of Rooney, Van Persie, Falcao, Di Maria and Mata can be devastating in the final third and, with the exception of the injured Di Maria, Van Gaal has found an effective system that can accommodate them all in recent weeks, with Rooney dropping back into a central midfield role.
However, for all their attacking threat there were concerns about how United would cope at the back due to Van Gaal's like of recruitment in that position. Considering all of the injuries they have suffered there, they have actually done very well this season, conceding just 19 goals in their 18 outings. Only Chelsea, Man City and Southampton have managed fewer than that, and Van Gaal will be confident of tightening things up even more at the back when he has a fully fit squad to choose from.
One of the big concerns early in Van Gaal's tenure was the away form, with the Dutchman being forced to wait until late November for his first victory on the road as United boss. No wins in his first six away games was certainly not the way he would have wanted to start, but United have begun to find a more effective formula on their travels and are now unbeaten in their last three. That began with victory over Arsenal on their last trip to North London, while another impressive victory over Southampton was followed by a draw against Aston Villa.
They have, however, only managed one away clean sheet all season, and that came all the way back in August when they were held to a goalless draw by Burnley at Turf Moor. More often than not in recent weeks, though, their attack has been good enough to save them, and United have only failed to score in two Premier League games this season. One was that draw with Burnley, while the other came in the 1-0 defeat to Manchester City at Old Trafford.
TEAM NEWS: Right, the teams are in for both sides, and the big news is that Louis van Gaal has had the rare opportunity to name an unchanged starting XI. It is the first time United have named an unchanged side in 85 Premier League matches, despite playing their last match less than two days ago. Spurs, meanwhile, make four changes, with Chiriches, Davies, Mason and Townsend coming into the side. Full team news coming right up...
SPURS STARTING XI: Lloris; Chiriches, Fazio, Vertonghen, Davies; Mason, Stambouli; Townsend, Eriksen, Chadli; Kane
SPURS SUBS: Vorm, Dier, Walker, Lamela, Dembele, Paulinho, Soldado
MANCHESTER UNITED STARTING XI: De Gea; McNair, Evans, Jones; Valencia, Carrick, Rooney, Young; Mata; Van Persie, Falcao
MANCHESTER UNITED SUBS: Lindegaard, Rafael, Smalling, Shaw, Fletcher, A.Pereira, Wilson
Once again Harry Kane starts up front for the hosts, with the young Englishman finding the net yet again in the opening minute of their win over Leicester last time out. He has now got 15 goals in all competitions for Spurs this season, a tally only Sergio Aguero can better for a Premier League club. He really has been a revelation since breaking into the first team, and he will be the biggest threat to United's back three this afternoon.
They will also have to be wary of Christian Eriksen, however, with the playmaker weighing in with some vital goals already this season. He scored another free kick to clinch the three points against Leicester and, although the goalkeeper probably should have done better with the effort, he is a real threat from dead ball situations. There is no place for Lamela in the starting XI, however, as he drops to the bench to be replaced by Andros Townsend, who gets a rare start.
There is also a change in midfield as Mason returns having come through his cameo against Leicester unscathed following a recent ankle problem. He was expected to replace Stambouli in the starting lineup, but has instead come in for Bentaleb. There are two more changes at the back, including Chiriches filling in at right-back in place of Walker, which is something of a surprise. Lloris, meanwhile, starts in goal despite being left bloodied in the victory over the Foxes.
United have a star keeper of their own in David de Gea, and the Spaniard has been arguably the biggest reason behind their rise up the table to third. United managed to win a number of matches that they perhaps didn't deserve to during their recent unbeaten streak, and a lot of that was down to De Gea. In front of him he has a back three of McNair, Evans and Jones once again, and United fans will be pleased to see the likes of Rafael, Smalling and Shaw on the bench following their injury problems this season.
Once again, Van Gaal has opted to use wing-backs, with Valencia and Young continuing in their roles. Both appear to be settling into that position, although with Rafael and Shaw both nearing full fitness again, they may find themselves dropping out of the side sooner rather than later unless they impress Van Gaal. Carrick starts in central midfield again having been the catalyst for United's recent good form since his return from injury.
Alongside Carrick in midfield is Wayne Rooney, whose change of position does not seem to have affected his form at all. Indeed, he has been prolific since dropping into a deeper role, adding two more goals to his tally during the win over Newcastle last time out. He now has eight goals in his last eight games for club and country and also has a good scoring record against Spurs, netting nine times in 13 Premier League games against them. He enjoys playing in the capital too, with six of his last eight Premier League away goals coming in London.
In front of Rooney, Van Persie and Falcao are again named as the front two, with both beginning to find top form once again following difficult starts to the season. Van Persie has started to find the net with some regularity again, including netting the third goal against Newcastle last time out, while Falcao is looking increasingly sharp and did well to provide the assist for Wayne Rooney's opener on Boxing Day. If those two are on song today, it will be a difficult afternoon for the hosts.
PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes from kickoff at White Hart Lane, which means that it is time for a prediction! Both sides are in good form going into this match and have sorted out their respective home and away form, so this is a really intriguing prospect. A win would be big for both sides' hopes of reaching the top four this season, so there is plenty on offer for any victorious party, and I can't see this one ending as a draw today. It will be a close one, but I'm going for a 2-1 away win for United.
Spurs have a decent record against United in the last couple of season having really struggled against the Red Devils before that. They have won two and lost none of their last four meetings, including a 2-1 victory in their most recent clash at Old Trafford on New Year's Day of 2014. Before this recent run, however, they had gone 22 games without a victory over United.
Their winless streak against United at White Hart Lane is still ongoing, and it is one that Spurs will be desperate to end today. They have not beaten the Red Devils at home in their last 13 meetings, losing eight of those in a run that stretches all the way back to 2001, when Willem Korsten scored twice and Les Ferdinand added the third in a 3-1 victory. Overall in the Premier League, United have won 29 of the 44 meetings between these two sides, while Spurs have only won five.
Even more ominously for Spurs, despite United's recent decline, they still have a formidable record on their visits to London. They have lost just one of their last 18 Premier League away games in the capital, winning 11 and drawing the remaining six in that time. The last time they were at White Hart Lane, Rooney scored twice in a 2-2 draw at the start of December last year, with Walker and Sandro getting the goals for Spurs.
We're just minutes away from kickoff now, and I am expecting an entertaining clash to see out 2014 from these two sides. We usually do get goals in this fixture, with the last six meetings produced 21 of them at an average of 3.5 per game. More of the same today, please!
We will have a minute of applause before kickoff in memory of Ron Henry, a former Spurs left-back who died yesterday at the age of 80. He was a member of Tottenham's legendary double-winning side of the early 1960s and also won a solitary cap for England.
KICKOFF: United get us underway here at White Hart Lane in the early kickoff. Spurs would move into the top four with a win, remember, while United would move to within four points of second-placed Manchester City.
Bright start from Spurs. They have taken control of the ball early on and have already made a number of incisive passes in the opening exchanges. They are looking to get on the front foot straight away here.
United have settled into this one quickly themselves, however, and are beginning to ask a few questions in the final third two. Most of their work has come down the left flank so far, but still no chances to report for either side.
battling play from Kane as he keeps the ball despite a number of red shirts buzzing around him. After all of that he still manages to slips a pass through to Mason, but Jones is covering. The defender pokes it back towards goal, and De Gea has to get down to prevent it rolling into his own net.
At the other end United have a half-chance to break through, but a poor touch from Rooney lets him down. Mata found the skipper with a clever ball over the top, and a better touch would send him clean through on goal, but he is forced backwards with the control and eventually Spurs scramble it clear having crowded out Falcao in the box.
United have a chance to put the ball into the box with a free kick, but Lloris has his first action of the match as he comes out to punch it clear. He got a good connection on the ball, beating it away for a throw.
Spurs come forward down the left through Mason, who checks back inside before playing an aerial ball towards the far post. It is a good idea as he looks for Kane, but it is just too far in front of the striker.
Spurs win a free kick in a similar position to the one that saw Eriksen net the winner against Leicester on Boxing Day, but this time the midfielder puts a cross into the box. It is well defended by Rooney back there, however, and a decent position comes to nothing for Spurs.
Falcao goes down in a heap clutching his face following a tangle with Vertonghen, but Jonathan Moss allows play to continue and he is right to do so. The striker was certainly caught with a flailing arm, but it was just an honest tussle for the ball.
United have a degree of control over this game at the moment, with Spurs struggling to get anything going in an attacking sense right now. Van Gaal will be happy with what he has seen from his side so far.
CHANCE! The first chance of the match falls the way of United, and it is one you'd expect Falcao to take. Mata threads a pass through to the striker, who only has Lloris to beat, but he can't sort his feet out and the eventual effort is tame and comfortable for Lloris.
CHANCE! A decent opening for Spurs at the other end as Townsend picks the ball up after Kane just couldn;t get enough on a cross from the left. The winger recycles the ball and dinks a clever ball back into the middle, but no white shirt can get a touch and De Gea collects.
SAVE! Townsend again threatens for the hosts, cutting inside from the right flank onto his left foot and drilling a low effort towards the bottom corner. However, De Gea is down in good time to make the stop.
OFF THE POST! Oh my word, how has this one not gone in?! United win a free kick in a very dangerous position and Mata's effort deflects off the wall and strikes the post with Lloris rooted to the spot. The ball bounces into a very dangerous area and Falcao and Van Persie are both sniffing about to turn it in, but Chiriches is there to hack it off the line.
Once again Spurs hack the ball off the line, but this time it wouldn't have counted anyway as Jones had come back from an offside position before heading it goalwards. Lloris got a touch before Vertonghen hooked it away, and the ball looked like it may have even just crept over. It is all academic, however, as the linesman's flag was correctly raised.
YELLOW CARD! The first card of the afternoon is shown to Stambouli following a poor challenge on Carrick in midfield. Jonathan Moss allowed play to continue but brought it back for a card afterwards.
YELLOW CARD! He is swiftly followed into the book by Townsend, who lunges in to a mindless challenge from behind on Young. He was never going to win the ball there, and he can have no complaints at being booked.
This match has really come to life in the last 10 minutes or so, with both sides having chances and United coming within inches of taking the lead. The visitors have had the better of things in the opening half an hour, but Spurs have also looked dangerous when they have managed to come forward.
After that action-packed spell, the match has hit a bit of a lull in the last few minutes. As for that earlier Phil Jones effort, it has now been confirmed that the ball was over the line and would have counted had the linesman's flag not been raised. The official deserve credit for that as it was not an easy decision, but he got it spot on.
Still no goals at White Hart Lane, despite Phil Jones having had the ball over the line. Here is a shot of the Manchester United defender winning a header:
CHANCE! Good opening for United to break as Valencia wins the ball back and Mata releases Falcao. The striker has Van Persie in support in a two-on-two situation but chooses to go alone, ducking inside onto his right foot and curling an effort towards the bottom corner. However, he doesn't get it wide enough and Lloris is there to make the stop.
There are just under 10 minutes to go in the first half now, and it has been an engrossing game so far despite the lack of goals. All of the chances came in a 10 minute spell midway through the half, since when it has calmed down a little.
SHOT! Positive play from Davies as he picks the ball up on the left and drives past Mata before letting fly from around 25 yards out. It is an ambitious effort, and sure enough De Gea is not worried as it bobbles a couple of yards wide of the far post.
CHANCE! Oh my word, what a chance for United! The ball is chipped over for Van Persie, who takes it down brilliantly inside the six-yard box having seen Lloris uncharacteristically stay on his line. The Dutch striker takes another touch before trying to shoot, but Lloris makes the save before collecting the ball as it looped up in the air. You'd have backed Van Persie to score there!
That was very interesting goalkeeping from Lloris, who is usually so quick to come off his line. The ball was so close to him that time, with Van Persie taking it down inside the six-yard box, but he stayed on the line and it proved to be the right decision in the end as he made the stop.
CHANCE! Again Lloris is called into action, but this one is a little more comfortable for the keeper. Young collects the ball down the left and cuts back before delivering a cross into the middle. Rooney has made a late run from deep into the box and meets it with a good downward header, but it bounces up at a nice height for Lloris, who makes the stop.
Almost an opening for Spurs at the other end as Townsend swings a free kick to the back post, but Kane just can;t reach it as it goes behind for a goal kick.
SAVE! What a save this is from Lloris! Young picks the ball up on the left wing and curls a tremendous effort towards the top corner but, just as it looks as though it is about to swing in, Lloris claws it away with one hand. Magnificent stop from the Frenchman.
There will be just the one minute of added time at the end of this first half.
HALF TIME: Tottenham Hotspur 0-0 Manchester United
The first half comes to an end at White Hart Lane, and somehow it is still goalless between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United. It has been a very entertaining encounter so far, but Spurs will be the happier of the two sides at the scores still being level. United have created the best chances and come the closest to opening the scoring, but a combination of last-ditch defender, good goalkeeping and the woodwork has kept the visitors at bay so far.
The closest we have come to a goal came midway through the half, and United may still be wondering quite how they didn't score. Juan Mata's free kick deflected off the head of Mason before striking the post, with Lloris rooted to the spot. The keeper then failed to get to the rebound when Van Persie and Falcao were lurking about, but Chiriches was there to clear the ball off the line.
That incident came right in the midst of a flurry of chances as both sides sparked into life. The first came from Falcao, who was played through on goal by Mata and only had the keeper to beat. However, the Colombian could not sort his feet out in time and his eventual effort was tame and a good height for Lloris to make the save.
United have actually had the ball over the line in the first half, but Phil Jones's effort was correctly disallowed for offside. Both Falcao and Jones were in an offside position when Van Persie nodded the ball back across, but it was a crowded penalty area and not an easy decision for the linesman to make. Lloris got a hand to Jones's header before Vertonghen hooked it away after it had just crept over the line, but it was correctly ruled out.
Lloris has been by far the busier of the two keepers so far, and he somehow kept out a glorious chance for Van Persie five minutes before the break. The Frenchman stayed on his line as the ball was chipped over his defence for Van Persie, who took it down brilliantly inside the six-yard box. Lloris kept his eye on the ball, however, and made a crucial stop to deny the Dutchman what looked like being a certain goal.
Lloris was also called into action to make a fantastic save to deny Ashley Young right at the end of the half, clawing away a fine curling strike that was heading into the top corner. Rooney and Falcao have also had other efforts kept out by Lloris, who has arguably been his side's most important player so far. Spurs need to offer more going forward in the second half.
MAN UTD SUB: The visitors have made a change at the break, with Rafael replacing Valencia, who we believe picked up an injury in that opening 45 minutes.
KICKOFF: Spurs get us back underway for the second half as they look for a fifth consecutive win in all competitions to move them up into the top four.
United have done a good job of pressing Spurs high up the field in this match so far, which is preventing the hosts from really getting into a passing rhythm due to the lack of time they have on the ball.
United win an early corner which Mata swings in towards the near post. Carrick meets it and his header flicks off Vertonghen before looping onto the roof of the net for another corner. The second delivery comes to nothing, however, as Lloris comes to claim it.
YELLOW CARD! Ashley Young becomes the first United player in the book for a careless trip on Chadli.
Dangerous play from Spurs down the right as they recycle the ball having seen an initial corner cleared. Eventually Kane gets it down the channel, but Jones reads his cross towards the near post to thwart Fazio.
This has been a good five-minute spell for Spurs, probably their best of the match so far. They need to show more of that attacking threat as United have been on top for the vast majority of this game.
CHANCE! Just like that, United spark right back into life. Carrick plays a clever reverse pass through to Mata down the right, and the winger picks out Van Persie in the middle. The ball is at an awkward height for the Dutchman, and he can't keep his volley down, blazing his effort over the bar. It wasn't an easy chance, but he will feel that he should have done better.
You don't see foul throws too often in the professional game, but Young has just committed one, with the ball slipping out of his hands. He looked almost incredulously at the referee as he awarded it to Spurs as a result!
Strange defending from Fazio as he lets the ball drop over his head, perhaps due to the sunlight being in his eyes. Van Persie is lurking behind him and collects it on the right before playing a low ball into the box, but it is comfortable for Lloris to gather.
Van Persie is fortunate to get away without a yellow card here as he catches Vertonghen late in the corner of the field. The United striker is one booking away from a ban and, with the amnesty coming into effect after this match, he will be relieved to escape with just a warning there.
Just under half an hour to go in this match now and it is still nicely poised. It has been an absorbing clash despite the lack of goals and not too many chances in the second half, and we are set up well for an entertaining finish to this match.
Van Persie has probably had the clearest chance of the match so far when he took the ball down inside the six-yard box before being denied by Lloris. Here is a picture of the moment the Spurs keeper made that crucial save:
SAVE! Really good play from Townsend as he shows brilliant feet to somehow get away from two red shirts. He winds up a shot from range and gets plenty on his effort, but De Gea is right behind it and holds on well.
CHANCE! Huge chance for United to take the lead! They move the ball about nicely before finding Rafael down the right. The full-back puts a low ball into the nox and finds Mata in space, but the midfield goes for power and blazes his effort way over the bar despite being just 10 yards from goal. He should have done a lot better there.
Townsend is livid with the referee here as they fail to award him a free kick for a challenge by Young. The winger looked to be the wrong side of the defender as Eriksen slid the ball through, and Young is perhaps lucky to get away with that one.
YELLOW CARD! McNair becomes the latest man to go into the book for a foul around 40 yards from his own goal.
SAVE! The resulting free kick is dealt with, with Spurs recycle the ball through Vertonghen. He whips a cross into the box which Fazio gets to before firing a low effort towards the bottom corner. However, De Gea gets down really quickly and makes a difficult save look easy.
MAN UTD SUB: The visitors make their second change of the afternoon as Chris Smalling replaces Evans.
Chadli is almost released through the middle by one long ball from defence, but De Gea is quick off his line to mop up, taking a leaf out of Lloris's book.
MAN UTD SUB: A third and final change for the visitors as Luke Shaw comes on for McNair, which could result in Van Gaal switching to a back four.
SAVE! Eriksen wins a free kick in a good position, and there is no doubt about who will take it. The Dane lines it up himself, swinging it over the wall and drawing a save from De Gea.
SPURS SUBS: The hosts finally make their first changes of the match, with Nacer Chadli and Andros Townsend making way for Erik Lamela and Mousa Dembele.
Well, we were expecting goals in this match but, with less than 10 minutes remaining, we are still waiting for our first. Spurs have had a knack for scoring late winners so far this season, however, while United's ability to keep fighting until the end is well known. There is still plenty of time for things to change in this one.
CHANCE! Spurs get another chance to get a late goal, but Mason squanders the opening! Kane does brilliantly to block Carrick's pass before driving at the heart of the United defence. He is all on his own but does very well to keep hold of it until support arrives. He slides a pass through to Mason, but the midfielder loses his composure and blazes his effort high over the crossbar.
YELLOW CARD! Falcao goes into the book, but this is a harsh one from Jonathan Moss. The striker just clipped the heels of Lamela, but he didn't seem to know much about it.
Half a chance for Spurs as Eriksen swings a free kick into the middle for Fazio, who can't get over the ball and only flicks his header well over the top. He is appealing for a penalty, and a little earlier Rooney was also fortunate to get away with grappling Kane inside the box.
YELLOW CARD! Another card for United here as Eriksen spins away from Rafael, drawing a foul which gets the full-back booked.
Spurs are certainly finishing this game the stronger of the two teams and, despite having had the better chances in this match, you sense that United would take a point if they were offered the final whistle now. We have an intriguing final few minutes ahead of us.
There will be a minimum of three minutes added time at the end of this match.
United have just stemmed the flow of pressure they were beginning to face from Spurs, and this one now looks like ended goalless, which is out of character for a fixture that has been laden with goals in recent years.
FULL TIME: Tottenham Hotspur 0-0 Manchester United
It does indeed end goalless as Jonathan Moss brings an end to proceedings at White Hart Lane. Despite this one finishing 0-0, it was an entertaining encounter, particularly in the first half. Both sides had the chances to find the back of the net and United in particular will be wondering how they didn't, but in the end both will be fairly content with a point apiece.
United came closest to scoring in the first half when Juan Mata's free kick deflected on to the post, while Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao both failed to scramble the rebound home. Mata, Falcao, Rooney and Van Persie all missed good chances for the visitors throughout the match, with Hugo Lloris a big reason for his side keeping a clean sheet today.
Spurs also had a few decent openings to score, but only really created one clear chance when Mason blazed over late on. The hosts finished the match strongly, however, and looked most likely to grab a winner in the closing stages, so United will be pleased not to have thrown the game away at the end. Most of the goalmouth action came in the first half, when United were on top, but Spurs grew into the game and made things tougher for the visitors as time went by.
Right, that is all we have time for this afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for today's match as Spurs and United share a goalless draw at White Hart Lane. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction, news and analysis. There are a host of other Premier League games on offer for you later today, and coverage of the bulk of those is just getting underway on site now. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!