TOTTENHAM 3, MAN UNITED 0.
Manchester United were late arriving at White Hart Lane and didn’t show up on the pitch either as their hopes of a top-four finish were dealt a massive blow.
And the defeat ended a remarkable run at Tottenham where they were unbeaten in their last 14 visits, a run stretching back to 2001.
It looked as though the Reds were on course to earn a point until a late collapse in which they conceded three goals in a disastrous six-minute spell.
Dele Alli, Toby Alderweireld and Erik Lamela found the net as Spurs remain the closest challengers to leaders Leicester.
And United manager Louis van Gaal was left to reflect on what might have been as his side is now four points adrift of the top four.
He said: “Until the first goal, we played a very good away match and had possibilities to score, especially one by Anthony Martial.
“There was miss communication in the centre of our defence and within five minutes the game was over. That can’t happen.”
The afternoon got off to the worst possible start when United were caught on traffic and that caused a half-hour delay to kick off.
Youngster Tim Fosu-Mensah replaced Matteo Darmian at right back, the one change from the side that beat Everton in their last match.
Spurs had marginally the better of the goalless opening half with Harry Kane denied by David Ge Gea and Lamela planting a free header wide.
Ashley Young replaced young Marcus Rashford at the break in a straight striker swop.
United could have taken the lead when Martial cut in from the left only to see keeper Hugo Lloris made a great save.
The breakthrough came with 20 minutes left when Kane released Christian Eriksson whose cross was slotted home by Alli from six yards.
Lamela provided the assist for the second goal as his cross was headed home by Alderweireld low to the left of De Gea.
And the Reds’ misery was completed when Danny Rose provided the cross for Lamela to fired in his 10th goal of the season.
It might have been an even heavier defeat for United but for De Gea who made two excellent late saves to deny Kane and Mousa Dembele.