Tottenham ended their 23-year wait for a victory at Old Trafford as they held on to take the points against Manchester United in a pulsating encounter.

Spurs looked to be in total control after first-half goals from Jan Vertonghen and Gareth Bale gave them a comfortable advantage at the break.

Ferguson bemoans lack of injury time

But United, who were awful in the first period, hit back through Nani before Clint Dempsey restored Tottenham's two-goal advantage.

Shinji Kagawa immediately struck again for United as they poured forward in a bid to maintain their long unbeaten run against Spurs.

United pressed hard with substitute Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick hitting the woodwork and they saw several appeals for a penalty waved away by referee Chris Foy.

It was a victory which delighted the large contingent of Tottenham fans who last saw their side win at Old Trafford in 1989 when Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker scored the winner for Terry Venables' side.

For United, it was their second defeat in six Premier League games, and manager Sir Alex Ferguson could have more defensive injury problems after Jonny Evans finished the game in some discomfort.

End of an era

Tottenham goalscorer Gareth Bale was just six months old when Gary Lineker scored Spurs' last winner at Old Trafford in December 1989

Watching England manager Roy Hodgson will not have seen anything to change his mind about not picking United defender Rio Ferdinand for "footballing reasons" since taking over from Fabio Capello.

Ferdinand struggled against Tottenham's dangerous forward line and he did virtually nothing to boost his chances of a call-up for the World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Poland in a fortnight.

Tottenham stunned the vast majority of the 75,566 crowd inside two minutes when they took the lead after a neat one-two between Vertonghen and Bale.

United backed off and Vertonghen burst into the penalty area and evaded a half-hearted Ferdinand challenge before striking a low shot which deflected into the net off Evans.

It was a lead Spurs deserved as they took the game to United who barely had a touch in the opening 10 minutes.

Villas-Boas hails 'immense' Tottenham

Tottenham looked assured and totally in control with Dempsey and Mousa Dembele dominating in the centre against a largely ineffective Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes.

With United struggling to make any impression inside the visitors' territory, Spurs doubled their lead with a fabulous goal which sliced a hole straight down the heart of the home defence.

Dembele broke from the halfway line and slipped the ball to Bale who ran on and ghosted through the United defence before hitting a cool finish past Anders Lindegaard.

With Wayne Rooney on for Giggs after the break, United predictably picked up their pace as they went in search of a goal and it was not long before the game took an incredible twist with three goals in just 139 seconds.

United's omen

This is only the third time in Premier League history that Man Utd have lost two of their opening six games in a season. On the other two occasions (2002-03 and 1992-93), they ended up winning the league.

United broke through when Rooney crossed for Nani to fire home from six yards but Tottenham immediately restored their two-goal advantage when Bale's fierce shot was only half-saved by Lindegaard allowing Dempsey to tap in.

A fifth goal followed seconds later as United swept up field and Kagawa slotted in their second from Robin van Persie's slide-rule pass.

United continued to surge forward and Rooney was unlucky with a sweetly struck free-kick which crashed back off the woodwork before Van Persie had an effort which was correctly ruled offside.

Tottenham had to dig deep into their defensive reserves as United, with Danny Welbeck on for Kagawa, pressed forward in search of an equaliser.

There were several penalty appeals, including what looked like a handball by Sandro, and a number of near misses as Michael Carrick's header glanced off the woodwork.

Tottenham took the sting out of United's forward runs and in the end they just about deserved their victory.

Lineup, Bookings (0) & Substitutions (6)

Manchester United

  • 13 Lindegaard
  • 02 Rafael
  • 03 Evra
  • 05 Ferdinand (Hernandez - 90' )
  • 06 Evans
  • 11 Giggs (Rooney - 46' )
  • 16 Carrick
  • 17 Nani
  • 22 Scholes
  • 26 Kagawa (Welbeck - 78' )
  • 20 Van Persie

Substitutes

  • 01 De Gea
  • 31 Wootton
  • 08 Anderson
  • 23 Cleverley
  • 10 Rooney
  • 14 Hernandez
  • 19 Welbeck

Tottenham Hotspur

  • 24 Friedel
  • 05 Vertonghen
  • 13 Gallas
  • 28 Walker
  • 33 Caulker
  • 02 Dempsey (Sigurdsson - 69' )
  • 07 Lennon
  • 11 Bale
  • 30 Sandro
  • 18 Defoe (Dawson - 90' )
  • 19 Dembele (Huddlestone - 83' )

Substitutes

  • 25 Lloris
  • 20 Dawson
  • 06 Huddlestone
  • 22 Sigurdsson
  • 27 Falque
  • 31 Townsend
  • 38 Mason
Ref: Foy
Att: 75,566

Match Stats

Shots

15 10

On target

8 5

Corners

9 5

Fouls

5 7

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +4:24 Full time

Full Time The referee blows for the end of the match.

90:00 +3:38

Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Robin van Persie (Man Utd) to centre, resulting in open play.

90:00 +2:52

Cross by Luis Nani (Man Utd), clearance by Steven Caulker (Tottenham).

90:00 +1:42

Goal kick taken long by Brad Friedel (Tottenham).

90:00 +1:42 Substitution

Substitution Tottenham substitution: Jermain Defoe replaced by Michael Dawson (tactical).

90:00 +1:24 Substitution

Substitution Man Utd substitution: Rio Ferdinand replaced by Javier Hernandez (tactical).

90:00 +1:18

Weak shot by Luis Nani (Man Utd) left-footed from right channel (20 yards), over the bar.

90:00 +0:20

Attacking throw-in by Rafael Da Silva (Man Utd).

89:54

Shot by Jermain Defoe (Tottenham) right-footed from right channel (18 yards), blocked by Jonny Evans (Man Utd).

88:53

Foul by Wayne Rooney (Man Utd) on Gylfi Sigurdsson (Tottenham). Free kick crossed right-footed by Kyle Walker (Tottenham) from right wing, resulting in open play.

88:00

Shot by Paul Scholes (Man Utd) right-footed from right channel (20 yards), blocked by Raniere Sandro (Tottenham).

86:36

Foul by Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham) on Robin van Persie (Man Utd). Free kick taken right-footed by Paul Scholes (Man Utd) from right wing, passed.

85:56

Header by Patrice Evra (Man Utd) from centre of penalty area (6 yards), save (caught) by Brad Friedel (Tottenham).

85:38

Attacking throw-in by Paul Scholes (Man Utd).

83:46

Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Robin van Persie (Man Utd) to near post, header by Michael Carrick (Man Utd) from centre of penalty area (12 yards), defending throw-in by Kyle Walker (Tottenham).

82:40 Substitution

Substitution Tottenham substitution: Moussa Dembele replaced by Tom Huddlestone (tactical).

82:08

Shot by Wayne Rooney (Man Utd) right-footed from right channel (20 yards), over the bar. Goal kick taken long by Brad Friedel (Tottenham).

81:31

Shot by Paul Scholes (Man Utd) drilled right-footed from right channel (20 yards), save (parried) by Brad Friedel (Tottenham).

81:13

Attacking throw-in by Patrice Evra (Man Utd).

80:42

Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Luis Nani (Man Utd) to near post, clearance by Steven Caulker (Tottenham).

80:08

Defending throw-in by Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham).

79:38

Corner from left by-line taken short right-footed by Wayne Rooney (Man Utd).

78:48

Defending throw-in by Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham).

78:24

Defending throw-in by Kyle Walker (Tottenham).

77:59 Substitution

Substitution Man Utd substitution: Shinji Kagawa replaced by Danny Welbeck (tactical).

77:21

Shot by Luis Nani (Man Utd) right-footed from right channel (18 yards), save (caught) by Brad Friedel (Tottenham).

76:52

Cross by Robin van Persie (Man Utd), clearance by Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham).

76:10

Cross by Luis Nani (Man Utd), clearance by Steven Caulker (Tottenham).

74:21

Defending throw-in by Patrice Evra (Man Utd).

73:09

Weak header by Robin van Persie (Man Utd) from centre of penalty area (12 yards), missed left. Goal kick taken long by Brad Friedel (Tottenham).

71:47

Defending throw-in by Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham).

70:44

Goal kick taken long by Brad Friedel (Tottenham).

68:58

Goal kick taken long by Brad Friedel (Tottenham).

68:58 Substitution

Substitution Tottenham substitution: Clint Dempsey replaced by Gylfi Sigurdsson (tactical).

68:43

Weak shot by Robin van Persie (Man Utd) left-footed from centre of penalty area (12 yards), missed right.

66:52

Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Luis Nani (Man Utd) to far post, clearance by Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham).

65:29

Shot by Wayne Rooney (Man Utd) right-footed from right side of penalty area (12 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken long by Brad Friedel (Tottenham).

65:01

Foul by Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham) on Paul Scholes (Man Utd). Free kick taken right-footed by Paul Scholes (Man Utd) from right channel, passed.

64:21

Goal kick taken long by Brad Friedel (Tottenham).

63:31

Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Wayne Rooney (Man Utd) to near post, clearance by William Gallas (Tottenham).

62:40

Robin van Persie (Man Utd) caught offside. Free kick taken right-footed by Brad Friedel (Tottenham) from own half, resulting in open play.

62:17

Cross by Luis Nani (Man Utd), clearance by Steven Caulker (Tottenham).

61:15

Defending throw-in by Kyle Walker (Tottenham).

60:13

Foul by Clint Dempsey (Tottenham) on Shinji Kagawa (Man Utd). Free kick taken right-footed by Wayne Rooney (Man Utd) from left channel (20 yards), attacking throw-in by Patrice Evra (Man Utd).

59:48

Handball by Moussa Dembele (Tottenham). Free kick taken right-footed by Paul Scholes (Man Utd) from own half, passed.

58:30

Foul by Paul Scholes (Man Utd) on Moussa Dembele (Tottenham). Free kick taken right-footed by William Gallas (Tottenham) from own half, passed.

57:44

Defending throw-in by Patrice Evra (Man Utd).

57:36

Defending throw-in by Kyle Walker (Tottenham).

56:59

Shot by Wayne Rooney (Man Utd) right-footed from left channel (25 yards), save (caught) by Brad Friedel (Tottenham).

54:51

Shot by Gareth Bale (Tottenham) drilled left-footed from right channel (20 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken short by Anders Lindegaard (Man Utd).

54:24

Corner from right by-line taken short left-footed by Gareth Bale (Tottenham).

53:00

Assist (pass) by Robin van Persie (Man Utd) from left channel.

53:00 Goal scored

Goal - Shinji Kagawa - Man Utd 2 - 3 Tottenham Goal by Shinji Kagawa (Man Utd) left-footed (bottom-right of goal) from centre of penalty area (12 yards).Man Utd 2-3 Tottenham.

51:38

Assist by Gareth Bale (Tottenham) from left side of penalty area.

51:38 Goal scored

Goal - Clint Dempsey - Man Utd 1 - 3 Tottenham Goal by Clint Dempsey (Tottenham) right-footed (bottom-right of goal) from centre of penalty area (6 yards).Man Utd 1-3 Tottenham.

51:37

Shot by Gareth Bale (Tottenham) left-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), save (parried) by Anders Lindegaard (Man Utd).

50:39

Assist (cross) by Wayne Rooney (Man Utd) from right wing.

50:39 Goal scored

Goal - Luis Nani - Man Utd 1 - 2 Tottenham Goal by Luis Nani (Man Utd) left-footed (low centre of goal) from centre of penalty area (6 yards).Man Utd 1-2 Tottenham.

50:18

Foul by Jermain Defoe (Tottenham) on Jonny Evans (Man Utd). Free kick taken left-footed by Jonny Evans (Man Utd) from own half, passed.

50:03

Attacking throw-in by Kyle Walker (Tottenham).

49:20

Goal kick taken long by Brad Friedel (Tottenham).

48:45

Defending throw-in by Patrice Evra (Man Utd).

48:19

Defending throw-in by Kyle Walker (Tottenham).

47:40

Defending throw-in by Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham).

47:25

Attacking throw-in by Rafael Da Silva (Man Utd).

46:41

Cross by Michael Carrick (Man Utd), clearance by Steven Caulker (Tottenham).

45:01

The second half kicks off.

45:01 Substitution

Substitution Man Utd substitution: Ryan Giggs replaced by Wayne Rooney (tactical).

45:00 +3:05 Half time

Half Time The ref blows to signal half-time.

45:00 +2:36

Foul by Gareth Bale (Tottenham) on Luis Nani (Man Utd). Free kick taken right-footed by Anders Lindegaard (Man Utd) from own half, passed.

45:00 +2:11

Corner from right by-line taken short left-footed by Gareth Bale (Tottenham).

45:00 +1:20

Defending throw-in by Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham).

45:00 +0:40

Goal kick taken short by Anders Lindegaard (Man Utd).

45:00 +0:15

Attacking throw-in by Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham).

44:29

Handball by Shinji Kagawa (Man Utd). Free kick taken left-footed by Gareth Bale (Tottenham) from right wing, resulting in open play.

44:15

Attacking throw-in by Kyle Walker (Tottenham).

43:11

Shot by Luis Nani (Man Utd) right-footed from right channel (18 yards), save (caught) by Brad Friedel (Tottenham).

42:41

Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Ryan Giggs (Man Utd) to near post, clearance by Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham).

41:03

Attacking throw-in by Patrice Evra (Man Utd).

38:17

Outswinging corner from left by-line taken left-footed by Ryan Giggs (Man Utd) to near post, clearance by Gareth Bale (Tottenham).

37:56

Handball by Luis Nani (Man Utd). Free kick taken left-footed by Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham) from own half, resulting in open play.

37:46

Defending throw-in by Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham).

37:21

Cross by Patrice Evra (Man Utd), save (caught) by Brad Friedel (Tottenham).

36:49

Foul by Raniere Sandro (Tottenham) on Shinji Kagawa (Man Utd). Free kick taken left-footed by Jonny Evans (Man Utd) from own half, passed.

36:12

Attacking throw-in by Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham).

35:51

Attacking throw-in by Gareth Bale (Tottenham).

33:05

Attacking throw-in by Patrice Evra (Man Utd).

31:19

Assist (pass) by Moussa Dembele (Tottenham) from own half.

31:19 Goal scored

Goal - Gareth Bale - Man Utd 0 - 2 Tottenham Goal by Gareth Bale (Tottenham) right-footed (bottom-left of goal) from right side of penalty area (12 yards).Man Utd 0-2 Tottenham.

30:37

Attacking throw-in by Rafael Da Silva (Man Utd).

29:51

Goal kick taken long by Brad Friedel (Tottenham).

28:09

Patrice Evra (Man Utd) caught offside. Free kick taken right-footed by Brad Friedel (Tottenham) from own half, resulting in open play.

27:05

Foul by Shinji Kagawa (Man Utd) on Moussa Dembele (Tottenham). Free kick taken left-footed by Gareth Bale (Tottenham) from left channel, resulting in open play. William Gallas (Tottenham) caught offside. Free kick taken right-footed by Anders Lindegaard (Man Utd) from own half, passed.

26:11

Attacking throw-in by Kyle Walker (Tottenham).

25:11

Defending throw-in by Kyle Walker (Tottenham).

24:48

Goal kick taken short by Anders Lindegaard (Man Utd).

24:05

Attacking throw-in by Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham).

21:58

Foul by Moussa Dembele (Tottenham) on Shinji Kagawa (Man Utd). Free kick taken left-footed by Robin van Persie (Man Utd) from right channel, resulting in open play. Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Ryan Giggs (Man Utd) to far post, clearance by Steven Caulker (Tottenham).

20:19

Foul by Patrice Evra (Man Utd) on Kyle Walker (Tottenham). Free kick taken left-footed by Gareth Bale (Tottenham) from right wing, weak header by Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham) from centre of penalty area (12 yards), over the bar. Goal kick taken long by Anders Lindegaard (Man Utd).

17:21

Outswinging corner from left by-line taken left-footed by Gareth Bale (Tottenham) to far post, resulting in open play.

16:33

Corner from left by-line taken short left-footed by Gareth Bale (Tottenham).

15:46

Handball by Gareth Bale (Tottenham). Free kick taken right-footed by Paul Scholes (Man Utd) from own half, resulting in open play.

14:45

Defending throw-in by Kyle Walker (Tottenham).

14:10

Attacking throw-in by Patrice Evra (Man Utd).

13:48

Goal kick taken short by Brad Friedel (Tottenham).

11:02

Cross by Luis Nani (Man Utd), clearance by Steven Caulker (Tottenham).

9:50

Defending throw-in by Kyle Walker (Tottenham).

9:24

Attacking throw-in by Rafael Da Silva (Man Utd).

8:15

Shot by Aaron Lennon (Tottenham) left-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), blocked by Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd). Outswinging corner from left by-line taken left-footed by Gareth Bale (Tottenham) to far post, weak header by Steven Caulker (Tottenham) from right side of six-yard box (6 yards), over the bar. Goal kick taken short by Anders Lindegaard (Man Utd).

7:40

Shot by Clint Dempsey (Tottenham) left-footed from left channel (20 yards), missed left. Goal kick taken short by Anders Lindegaard (Man Utd).

6:26

Cross by Robin van Persie (Man Utd), clearance by William Gallas (Tottenham). Attacking throw-in by Patrice Evra (Man Utd).

5:44

Jermain Defoe (Tottenham) caught offside. Free kick taken right-footed by Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd) from own half, resulting in open play.

4:25

Foul by Rafael Da Silva (Man Utd) on Gareth Bale (Tottenham). Free kick taken right-footed by Brad Friedel (Tottenham) from own half, resulting in open play.

4:06

Attacking throw-in by Patrice Evra (Man Utd).

1:54

Assist by Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham) from centre of penalty area.

1:54 Goal scored

Goal - Jonny Evans - Man Utd 0 - 1 Tottenham Own goal by Jonny Evans (Man Utd) (bottom-left of goal) from own half (12 yards).Man Utd 0-1 Tottenham.

1:54

Shot by Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham) right-footed from centre of penalty area (12 yards), resulting in open play.

1:29

Attacking throw-in by Kyle Walker (Tottenham).

0:00

The ref blows the whistle to begin the match.

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