Title-challengers Tottenham Hotspur welcomed top-four hopefuls Manchester United to White Hart Lane in the Premier League on Sunday.
Leicester City's 2-0 victory at Sunderland earlier in the afternoon, however, had left Spurs 10 points off the summit.
Both teams had chances in an even first 45 minutes, but neither team could make the breakthrough in the first period, with Erik Lamela missing the standout chance for the hosts.
Spurs made the breakthrough 20 minutes from time though when Dele Alli notched from close range, before Toby Alderweireld and Lamela added to Man United's misery in the capital.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live Premier League coverage continues from White Hart Lane as second-place Tottenham Hotspur welcome top-four challengers Manchester United. Both teams are in desperate need of the points at this stage of the campaign, but for very different reasons. It is a massive football match from the English capital – let's hope that we have an entertaining clash from London!
Kickoff this afternoon is not actually until 4pm, but be sure to remain with me for the next couple of hours as I run through the facts and figures ahead of the contest. The team news is also expected to land at around 3pm and it will be interesting to see who the two managers have selected in their XIs.
Tottenham could have key centre-back Jan Vertonghen back in the team this afternoon following three months on the sidelines with a knee injury and it is understood that Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has given the Belgian every chance of passing a fitness test. Argentine Erik Lamela is also expected to return into the Spurs XI after missing the 1-1 draw with Liverpool last weekend.
As for Man United, Wayne Rooney and Luke Shaw are both still unavailable despite returning to first-team training, but Phil Jones, Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young are all in the squad for this match. Speculation over the team news has been rife, but we will leave it there until the official selections are announced in the next 50 minutes or so! There are not expected to be too many surprises!
Incredibly, Man United are unbeaten in their last 14 Premier League trips to White Hart Lane – winning eight times during that run. Not since May 2001 have Tottenham beaten Man United in this stadium and they are also yet to score against the Red Devils in their three matches under Pochettino.
Indeed, Pochettino is winless in all six of his Premier League matches against Man United as manager – drawing three and losing three. That, of course, includes his time at Southampton, but it is a record that the Argentine will be keen to improve this afternoon. It is also worth mentioning that Man United would love Pochettino to become their new manager and they are not the only ones.
HALF-TIME! Leicester are currently being held to a 0-0 draw at Sunderland. As it stands, the Foxes would move eight points clear of second-place Spurs, having played one game more. You can follow Sports Mole's minute-by-minute coverage of Leicester's fixture at the Stadium of Light here.
Man United have actually won the last two Premier League meetings between the two teams – including a 1-0 victory on the opening weekend of this season, when Kyle Walker's own goal decided the match. Man United also won 3-0 at Old Trafford in last season's league match, but the two teams played out a goalless draw in their last meeting at White Hart Lane in December 2014.
In total, the two clubs have met on 183 occasions in all competitions. Man United have recorded 87 wins, Spurs 48, while the remaining 48 fixtures finished level. It would be fair to say that Man United, among other clubs, previously viewed Spurs as a bit of a soft-touch, but that is just not the case anymore. Indeed, Spurs have out-performed Man United in the Premier League this season.
Spurs have won 17 of their 32 league games this season, drawing 11 times and losing four. Only Leicester (three) have lost fewer in the league this term and Pochettino's side are also the second-highest scorers (57) behind Manchester City (58). A certain Harry Kane has hit 22 of those for Spurs and the England international will be looking to improve his goal tally this afternoon.
Spurs also have the best defensive record in the league this season having only shipped 25 goals in their 31 matches. Kevin Wimmer has slotted in impressively alongside Toby Alderweireld at centre-back in Vertonghen's absence, while Hugo Lloris has once again had a fine season between the sticks.
Dele Alli, who now seems certain to travel to Euro 2016 as a key member of the England squad, has provided a league-high six assists in 2016, meanwhile, and the youngster's link with Kane has been a key part of the team's success this term. They are quite probably the hardest-working team in the division, but Pochettino will be wary of their recent form entering the business part of the season.
Between January 16 and February 28, Spurs recorded six straight league victories, but they have had a little stumble in recent weeks. Indeed, they have only actually won two of their last five in the league – losing at West Ham United and drawing with both Arsenal and Liverpool. They comfortably beat both Aston Villa and Bournemouth during that run, but failure to overcome Liverpool last weekend allowed Leicester to move further clear at the summit. Leicester are back underway at Sunderland now!
Tottenham also fell short in the Europa League this season, with Borussia Dortmund comfortably beating them in the round of 16. It does appear that the capital side will have enough to secure a top-four finish this term, but they might never have a better chance to win the Premier League title!
After this one, Spurs will travel to in-form Stoke City on April 18, before welcoming West Bromwich Albion in their final match of the month. May opens with a trip to London rivals Chelsea, before they host European-chasing Southampton on May 8. Their season will then end with a trip to St James' Park to tackle Newcastle United, who may or may not be in need of the points to fight off relegation.
On paper, Spurs have a tricky finish to the season and their supporters would be very concerned if they did lose this afternoon. They are still three points clear of third-place Arsenal, however, and five clear of fourth-place Manchester City, who beat West Brom 2-1 in Saturday's late start.
Spurs' character has been questioned in recent seasons, but they have recovered a league-high 19 points from losing positions in this campaign and have also recorded victories in four of their last five league games at White Hart Lane, where the pressure has really been on. Pochettino's side have proved a point this season, but they still have a lot of work to do in the final few weeks.
UPDATE! Jamie Vardy has just sent Leicester ahead against Sunderland! What a massive goal that is! Little over 25 minutes left at the Stadium of Light and the leaders strike!
As it stands, Leicester are moving 10 points ahead of Spurs at the top of the Premier League table. That is massive with just five games left (Spurs have six). Still more than 20 minutes of football to play at the Stadium of Light, but the Foxes are closing on yet another 1-0 win. It has become their speciality!
The team news from White Hart Lane is imminent...
TEAMS:
SPURS: Lloris; Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose; Dembele, Dier; Lamela, Alli, Eriksen; Kane
UNITED: De Gea; Fosu-Mensah, Smalling, Blind, Rojo; Schneiderlin, Carrick; Mata, Lingard, Martial; Rashford
The big team news for Spurs is that, as expected, key central defender Vertonghen returns to the team following almost three months on the sidelines with a knee problem. The Belgian replaces Kevin Wimmer at the back, while Lamela comes into the XI in place of Son Heung-min. Kane will lead the attack once again, while it is Danny Rose and Kyle Walker in the two full-back positions.
As for Man United, Van Gaal has made one change from the team that beat Everton last weekend. That comes at full-back as teenager Timothy Fosu-Mensah replaces Matteo Darmian. Michael Carrick will captain the visitors against his former club, while Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata and Anthony Martial will support teenage forward Marcus Rashford. No major surprises in the XI here!
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now around 45 minutes from kickoff on this warm afternoon in London. I have already spoken about the home side Spurs in enough detail, so let's move on to Man United, who need the points just as much as the hosts do this afternoon, that is for sure!
While Spurs are fighting for the title, Man United are battling for a top-four finish and place in the Champions League. Their challenge looked to be over when they lost 2-1 at Sunderland on February 13, but they have won four of their last five in the league to regain fifth and close the gap on Man City.
As it stands, Louis van Gaal's side are four points off fourth-place Man City, who have played one game more. Arsenal are also only six points above the Red Devils in third and victory this afternoon would make it very interesting indeed. It would be some story if Arsenal actually fell out of the Champions League positions having been backed by so many to lift the Premier League title this season.
FULL-TIME! Leicester have done it! They have beaten Sunderland 2-0 at the Stadium of Light, courtesy of a Jamie Vardy brace, to move 10 points clear of second-place Spurs in the Premier League table. It is not over, but my word that is another big step for Ranieri's side.
Right, let's switch our attention back to White Hart Lane and indeed Man United. Back-to-back wins over Arsenal and Watford were followed by a 1-0 defeat at West Bromwich Albion at the start of last month, but Van Gaal's side have won their last two in the league – both 1-0 – to ease the pressure on their Dutch boss. It was local boy Marcus Rashford that hit the winner against Man City in the derby on March 20, before Anthony Martial scored the only goal against Everton at Old Trafford last weekend.
For all the criticism aimed at Man United this season and their problems in the final third, no Premier League club has kept more clean sheets than Van Gaal's side (15) this season. They have also lost just one of their seven games played against fellow top-six clubs. Van Gaal has shown that he can select a team capable of winning matches against the bigger clubs in the division.
At the back, they have been strong for large parts of the season, but just 39 goals in their 31 league games this term is an indication of their troubles down the other end. To put that number into context – Tottenham have scored 57, Man City 58 and even the likes of West Ham (52), Southampton (44), Liverpool (46) and Chelsea (49) have out-scored Van Gaal's side in the league this season.
In fact, Bournemouth and Everton, who are both in the bottom half of the table, have also scored more Premier League goals than Van Gaal's side this season and struggling Sunderland have managed just three less. Man United's leading scorer in the league this season is Martial on eight goals.
BREAKING! Kickoff has now been delayed until 4.30pm. The Man United boss has still not reached the stadium, which is bizarre. Hardly ideal preparation for either team here!
Wayne Rooney has only managed seven in the top flight this season, while Rashford has three. Elsewhere, Juan Mata has chipped in with five, but the likes of Memphis Depay and Ander Herrera only have five between them. There is no question that Man United have some wonderful young players in the final third, but they are crying out for an experienced striker – Zlatan Ibrahimovic?!
Man United have the small matter of an FA Cup quarter-final replay away to West Ham United on Wednesday, before returning to Premier League action at home to Aston Villa next weekend. It is a make or break seven days for the Red Devils, with their results over the next week sure to shape their season.
After hosting Villa, they will welcome Crystal Palace on April 20, before Leicester make the trip to Old Trafford at the start of next month. They will then travel to Norwich City and West Ham, before ending their campaign at home to Bournemouth. On paper, it is a nice set of fixtures for Van Gaal's side.
Man United's home form this season has been strong – collecting 31 points from their 15 matches and only losing twice. They have struggled on the road, however, dropping points in 10 of their 16 matches and losing two of their last three. In truth, it is difficult to know which Man United team will turn up on a week-to-week basis and that has been the case throughout the season.
I am pleased to report that Man United have now arrived at the stadium and kickoff should not be further delayed! Who knew that there would be traffic in London? Anyway... 30 minutes until ko!
Man United's eight-mile trip to White Hart Lane took over two hours! The players are here and it will be interesting to see whether the late kickoff has an impact. Spurs would have been getting warm for a 4pm kickoff, but had to return to their dressing room and then reemerge!
You have a bonus 30 minutes of my ramble, so let's do something productive and have a look at where this match will be won and lost. The two goalkeepers on display this afternoon might well be the best two in the league, but you sense that David de Gea will be slightly busier than Hugo Lloris.
The return of Vertonghen is massive for Spurs and it will be interesting to see what kind of shape the Belgian is in after almost three months out of action. Rashford and Martial will be looking to test the pace of the Spurs back-line, but down the other end, the key match-up could be between Kane and Chris Smalling. The Man United defender absolutely loves the physical battle!
Midfield will also be a key area as Carrick and Schneiderlin battle Dembele and Dier. Spurs will look to dominate possession, but Carrick remains one of the finest passers in the division. For Man United, the invention will come from the likes of Lingard and Mata, while Spurs will look to Alli, Eriksen and Lamela to fuel Kane. There are so many interesting battles all over the park here.
No Bastian for Man United today, but the German has sent out his usual pre-game Tweet...
"It is very tough. Ten points is not easy, but we will try to reduce the gap. We are focused on this game and we are ready to compete against Man United... sometimes traffic is crazy in London, but this is life. It can happen. We need to adapt," Spurs boss Pochettino has just told Sky Sports News.
PREDICTION! I am finding it hard to separate the two teams this afternoon. Spurs, at home, are the favourites, but Man United have been strong at the back in recent weeks and I just think that the visitors have enough to secure a share of the spoils. I am backing a 1-1 draw in the capital here.
"Also Tottenham have problems with the delay in kickoff. They had to wait and we had to hurry. I have already had an experience with Barcelona when we played against Arsenal in the Champions League. I know how London is, it is unbelievable!" Van Gaal has just told Sky Sports News.
Right, a reminder of the two teams for this afternoon...
SPURS: Lloris; Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose; Dembele, Dier; Lamela, Alli, Eriksen; Kane
UNITED: De Gea; Fosu-Mensah, Smalling, Blind, Rojo; Schneiderlin, Carrick; Mata, Lingard, Martial; Rashford
KICKOFF! Finally! Better late than never! The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium as Spurs and Man United prepare to go head-to-head. It is the visitors that kick us off here...
... as expected, it has been an all-action start at White Hart Lane, with Spurs pressing high in the early moments. It must be said that the pitch is in wonderful condition, which will suit both teams. Quite a scrappy opening couple of minutes as both sides look to settle into a groove in the capital.
It has been a decent start from Man United, with the visitors enjoying possession in the Spurs half. The home side look to break with Alli, but the teenager was in an offside position. You just get the feeling that the first goal this afternoon - if there indeed is one - could be crucial to the outcome.
Rojo drops a pass behind Walker which Martial looks to meet, but the ball just runs away from the Frenchman. Moments later, Martial can run at the Spurs back-line and the ball eventually falls for Lingard, but his strike is blocked on the edge of the box. The visitors have started the better here.
Not an awful lot for the home supporters to get excited about inside the opening eight minutes, with Man United moving the ball quicker all over the park. Martial looks very dangerous here.
Half-chance for the away side as Carrick picks out Martial with a clever free kick, but the Frenchman's strike is away from goal and Spurs manage to clear from inside a crowded box!
Spurs have not beaten Man United in this stadium since May 2001 and it is the visitors that have made the better start to this contest. Fosu-Mensah breaks forward for the Red Devils before striking towards goal, but his low effort is deflected wide for a corner. Excellent work there!
Man United threaten with two corners in quick succession - the second of which is delivered by Blind into Martial, but Alderweireld just makes the clearance. All Man United at the moment.
Press, press, press from the visitors as they continue to win the ball. Van Gaal will be delighted with the opening 15 minutes as Spurs continue to struggle. The name of the game is finding the back of the net though and aside from a couple of half-chances, the hosts have been comfortable.
Super work from Fosu-Mensah once again as the Man United full-back gets across Eriksen to win the free kick. Spurs just cannot seem to get out of their own half at the moment here.
Better from the home side as Rose breaks down the left and delivers a low cross into Kane, but Smalling is across to make the clearance. Excellent work from the England international there.
Terrific reaction from De Gea to keep out Kane, but the striker was offside inside the box!
Rose hits one for Spurs as the home side start to threaten, but his effort was always wide.
It must be said that the opening 21 minutes of this match have just flown past! Spurs have definitely improved in the last few moments, but Man United remain a threat on the counter here.
Again it is really smart work from Fosu-Mensah, who drives past Rose and wins a corner for his team. The resulting set piece is delivered by Blind, but it is too deep and eventually Spurs scramble clear when Martial looked to turn inside the box. The Red Devils continue to look dangerous here.
Well, 26 minutes on the clock and we are still waiting for the first goal of the afternoon. We are also waiting for the first serious chance, but Man United have looked the more likely to make the breakthrough. Rashford breaks down the right for the visitors, but Rose is across to block.
CLOSE! Eriksen hits one for Spurs, but his effort was always dropping wide.
CLOSE! Spurs threaten as De Gea comes to collect a cross, but drops it! It falls for Kane, but Fosu-Mensah makes a wonderful challenge. Lamela then has a golden chance for the home side, but somehow heads wide of the post from close range. Oh Erik! Should have scored!
Walker drives forward for Spurs and moves past Rojo, but he cannot find a teammate!
You just get the feeling that the first goal this afternoon - if there indeed is one - will be crucial in terms of the final result. Spurs really should be ahead, but Lamela missed the standout chance!
Man United are just finding it difficult to get hold of the ball at the moment as Spurs continue to take advantage of what has been a very good period. Still all square with 33 on the clock though.
Man United just need to be careful down their right at the moment as Rose continues to drive forward. Mata, in fairness, has been defensively sound thus far, but the Spaniard does not want to be running towards his own goal. Fosu-Mensah has also been forced inside on a couple of occasions.
Little over five minutes of the first period remaining and we are still level at 0-0. Man United have come back into the game in the last few minutes following a really strong spell for the home side.
Lamela wants a penalty after going down under pressure from Blind, but the referee is not interested and he is right. The home supporters are pretty vocal towards the official here!
Fosu-Mensah continues to drift inside, forcing Mata into a wing-back role for Man United, which I am sure he is enjoying very much! Not too much in terms of chances as we approach the break.
Not too much of an atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment and in truth, the game has gone a little bit flat in the last 10 minutes or so. Spurs continue to work the ball down their left, but the latest combination between Eriksen and Rose just sends the ball out of play for a goal kick.
Spurs have the chance to threaten from a free kick as Smalling fells Kane...
... Eriksen delivers and Martial appears to make contact and it drops behind! Spurs want a corner, but the referee signals for a goal kick, much to the frustration of the home supporters.
HALF-TIME: Spurs 0-0 Man United
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0. Both sides have had chances to make the breakthrough, but the clearest opportunity fell to Lamela, who somehow headed wide of the post from close range. Man United have been threatening in the final third through Martial, but they have struggled for clear openings in the capital.
STATISTICS! Man United have had more of the possession with 59%, but they have only managed two attempts and neither were on target. Spurs, meanwhile, also failed to hit the target with any of their four attempts. No bookings to report either in quite a tame half in terms of challenges!
BENCH WATCH! Spurs have a number of attacking options on their bench this afternoon, with the likes Chadli, Son and Mason all capable of making a difference for the hosts in the second period. Man United, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Depay, Fellaini, Herrera, Valencia and Young.
MATCH PIC!
RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the pitch for the second 45 minutes. Will we have a breakthrough at White Hart Lane? Let's find out! Spurs resume the action...
... MAN UNITED SUB! Young has replaced Rashford for the visitors at the break.
Young is playing centre-forward for Man United in this second period. Well, he has started there. The attacker was impressive in that role for the Under-21 team on Monday and Van Gaal fancies a look at him up top here! Spurs are forcing the visitors back in the early stages of this half.
Without sounding like a broken record, you do sense that one goal could be enough to win this game between the two best defences in the league. Neither has given too much away here.
SAVES! De Gea beats the ball away as Eriksen attempts to beat the Spanish international at his near post. Dier then strikes one for the home team, but De Gea saves once again!
Man United are just not carrying a goal threat at the moment as Spurs continue to look the team more likely to find the back of the net. Young is working very hard at centre-forward, but Martial and Mata are quiet in the wide positions. A mistake or wonder strike might be needed here!
SAVE! De Gea is on hand to keep out a strike from Kane.
Not an awful lot for the away side's supporters to get excited about at the moment as another attack breaks down when Young moves into an offside position. Still no shot on goal for Man United!
Still no yellow cards in this match, but there are some lively challenges going in at the moment and the referee will need to be aware as we approach the final 30 minutes. Still all square here!
Half-chance for Man United as Martial sets up Lingard with a cute flick, but the Englishman's low strike was always moving wide of the far post. That is better work from the away side there.
Man United work a corner short and Mata finds Blind with a fine pass, but the centre-back's cross is blocked. Spurs break down the other end, but Fosu-Mensah is once again across on the cover!
CHANCE! Brilliant from Martial as the Man United attacker drives past two Spurs defenders before striking towards goal, but Lloris makes the save! Either side would have been 1-0!
Little over 25 minutes of football remaining at White Hart Lane and we are entering the period of the match where both managers will be considering more changes. Still all square in the capital.
Eriksen is almost given the chance to break through for Spurs, but Mata is back to make the challenge. Eriksen eventually does receive down the left, but Smalling is across on the cover!
SAVE! De Gea uses his legs to keep out a deflected cross from Rose!
Eriksen scuffs wide of the post after Walker had kept the ball in down the right.
MAN UNITED SUB! Darmian replaces the injured Fosu-Mensah here.
Spurs continue to make good ground down their left, with Rose driving forward time after time. Darmian's first piece of play is strong though as he gets the better of Rose in a one-on-one.
GOAL! Spurs 1-0 Man United (Alli)
Spurs make the breakthrough in the 70th minute as Kane picks out a pass into Eriksen, who delivers into Alli and the teenager cannot miss from close range. Spurs are ahead in the capital.
BOOKING! Rose (Spurs) is booked for a late challenge on Darmian.
BOOKING! Darmian (Man United) is booked for a late challenge on Kane.
GOAL! Spurs 2-0 Man United (Alderweireld)
Spurs have a second as Alderweireld rises above Rojo inside the Man United box to head a Lamela free kick into the bottom corner. That should be that in terms of the points this afternoon.
GOAL! Spurs 3-0 Man United (Lamela)
Embarrassing defending from Man United as Rose is allowed to pick out Lamela, who places his effort into the bottom corner. From 0-0 to 3-0 Spurs in the flick of an eye.
MAN UNITED SUB! Memphis replaces Mata for the visitors.
SAVE! De Gea palms a Kane header over the crossbar as Man United's defence once again go walkabouts at the back. Still more than 10 minutes for the home side to find more goals.
Spurs once again come close as Lamela bends one from distance, but his effort was always moving away from the post. Man United's back four are just all over the place at the moment here.
Memphis and Walker have their handbags out here as both sets of players clash...
... BOOKING! Walker (Spurs) and Memphis (Man United) are both booked.
BOOKING! Young (Man United) is booked for a late challenge on Rose.
Not too much to report in the last few minutes as Spurs keep hold of the possession.
SPURS SUB! Chadli replaces Lamela for the home team.
SPURS SUB! Son replaces Kane for the home team.
The referee has indicated that we will play four additional minutes. Why referee? Just end it!
CHANCE! De Gea keeps out Dembele from close range!
BOOKING! Alli (Spurs) is booked for diving inside the box.
SPURS SUB! Mason replaces Alli for Spurs.
FULL-TIME: Spurs 3-0 Man United
So there we have it. Spurs beat Man United 3-0 in the capital to move seven points behind the league leaders Leicester City, while the visitors remain fifth and four points off the Champions League positions. It was still 0-0 in the 69th minute at White Hart Lane, but 3-0 in the 76th! Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action once again. Until next time!
