Saturday, September 25, 2004
Tottenham 0-1 Man Utd: FT Report
PA
Manchester United followed up their Monday night win over Liverpool with a passionate 1-0 victory at White Hart Lane as Sir Alex Ferguson's team finally claimed their first away win of the season - and sent Spurs to their first defeat under Jacques Santini.

Ruud van Nistelrooy was the matchwinner in United's 700th top-flight game under Ferguson, firing home a penalty four minutes before halftime after Erik Edman tugged back John O'Shea, the Dutchman's first league goal of the season.

That made it six points from two games since Rio Ferdinand returned from his eight-month ban for failing to attend a drugs -*test*-('"), and this was United signalling to Arsenal and Chelsea that it will be a three-way fight for the title this season.

United came out of the traps flying and Spurs were fortunate not to concede a penalty after only three minutes as they were spared by the honesty of Gabriel Heinze.

The Argentine defender found space on the left, just inside the penalty area, when Mbulelo Mabizela slid in with a reckless tackle.

Heinze went down but jumped up immediately to try and play in the cross, and had he remained on the floor referee Pete Walton would surely have awarded a spot kick.

Spurs hit back after seven minutes when they won a free kick on the right, level with the 18-yard box following a handball by Heinze. Keane curled in the cross and Noureddine Naybet headed wide at the near post.

It was fast and furious and two minutes later a low Ryan Giggs free kick into the Spurs box was met with a stooping header from Alan Smith, but it lacked the power to trouble goalkeeper Paul Robinson and he made a simple save.

It was van Nistelrooy who caused the next problem after 26 minutes. The Dutchman's low drive from the right deflected off Ledley King and Robinson had to pounce on the ball at his near post. A minute later a Giggs curling effort was not too far over the Spurs bar.

Spurs made a change with Fredi Kanoute being replaced by Davies after 29 minutes. Perhaps it was Santini's way of trying to stem the tide, although the Frenchman left the field holding his hamstring.

Spurs were reduced to the odd long-range effort but a 25-yard half-volley from Mendes almost caught out Carroll after 38 minutes as he was forced to push the ball around his right post for a corner.

Spurs were rocked after 41 minutes when Edman tugged back O'Shea and this time the referee's assistant signalled for a penalty. Van Nistelrooy fired the ball into the left corner to give United a deserved lead.

United picked up where they left off after the break - dominating possession - and Smith might have done better when creating a chance for himself after 47 minutes.

The England striker cleverly chipped the ball over Naybet on the edge of the box but then snatched at the ball and screwed it wide with only Robinson to beat.

As if not to be outdone, Defoe created a chance of his own three minutes later by nicking the ball away from Roy Keane, but was unfortunate to be just off balance as he took his shot and he too screwed the ball wide.

Spurs won a free kick on the right after 57 minutes when Heinze climbed all over Jamie Redknapp but such was United's desire for the win, they had three defenders trying to head the cross clear as only King challenged.

The first booking of the game arrived after 59 minutes and it went to Mendes for a trip on Ronaldo.

Two minutes later United had the ball in the net again as Ronaldo crossed low from the left and van Nistelrooy guided the ball home, but Spurs were saved by an offside flag.

That gave United fresh impetus and after 64 minutes Ronaldo skipped easily past Edman and drilled in a low shot which Robinson saved well at his near post.

United screamed for another penalty after 67 minutes but the referee was spot on to ignore the pleas as Noe Pamarot played the ball and not the man.

It almost got worse for Spurs following a United corner after 72 minutes, but Keane bravely put his body in the way to block a point blank shot from Silvestre.

Spurs rode their luck one more time after 88 minutes when Ronaldo crossed from the left and substitute David Bellion saw his diving header hit Robinson's body - a save the England goalkeeper knew little about.

# Santini slams choice of rookie ref

Jacques Santini tonight launched an astonishing attack on the FA Premier League for allowing rookie referee Peter Walton to take charge of Tottenham's clash with Manchester United, and accused the official of going into the visitors' dressing room at half time to have a laugh and a joke with them.

Steve Bennett was due to take charge of this game at White Hart Lane - which United won 1-0 with Ruud van Nistelrooy's 41st minute penalty - and Graham Poll was down as the fourth official.

However, Santini was informed earlier in the week that Poll had been moved to take charge of Fulham's game against Southampton today with Bennett dropping down to be the fourth official here. Walton - in his first season as a Premiership referee - was then put in charge of this game.

'I have today learned some good information about the Championship,' said Santini.

'I was standing with my players and my assistant and we saw the referee in the dressing room of Manchester United smiling with the players and staff of Manchester United.

'I do not know what was said between the referee and the people of Manchester United, but the referee did not come into our dressing room.

'I don't understand the situation of the Championship. He was not the original referee for this game, it was changed three or four days before the game and I was very surprised.

'I know that the best referee in the Championship was due to be here today and I am not happy with the decision to appoint this referee. I am also not happy with a lot of decisions by the referee today but I respect the referee because he is the man on the pitch and I am not saying this is why we lost.

'If the Premier League appointed a woman referee for a big match I would respect the decision but I don't understand why three or four days before the game the best referee in the Championship - Graham Poll - was taken away. I saw Mr Walton was the referee but I wish Mr Bennett had been on the pitch instead.

'There should be the best referee in England in charge of a big match. I don't know this referee, he was in division one last year.'

Bennett was the referee in charge of the Arsenal and Manchester United match last season which contained a brawl between players of both teams. He was also the official who held back from giving Paul Scholes a booking which would have ruled him out of last season's FA Cup final.

A spokesman for United denied Walton had been in the dressing room while manager Sir Alex Ferguson praised the performance of the official.

'Tottenham have been rejuvenated this season and their fans were fantastic, they cheered every pass and every challenge and this was a difficult game for us,' said Ferguson.

'The fans tried to influence the referee but he did his job well and there were no contentious issues, just some hoo-ha. A lot of teams will come here and drop points but we defended well.'

'I haven't seen the penalty,' said Ferguson. 'The linesman gave it but John said he was pulled back. I need to see it again.'

Santini added: 'It was difficult for me to see from the bench because the incident happened on the opposite side, but Erik said there was some pulling from both players.'

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