TOTTENHAM 2, MANCHESTER UNITED 1
- Victor Wanyama’s early header sets Spurs on their way after just 6 minutes
- Harry Kane doubles the lead after 49 minutes from another Tottenham set piece
- Wayne Rooney stabs in consolation goal for Manchester United in the 71st minute
- Defeat means United can’t finish in the top four
- Pitch invasion at the end of 118 years at White Hart Lane as Spurs complete first unbeaten league season at home since 1964/65.
Two set pieces did for a lacklustre Manchester United side as Tottenham completed an unbeaten league season at White Hart Lane for the first time since the 1964/65 campaign.
Goals by Victor Wanyama and Harry Kane sealed victory at a vocal White Hart Lane while Wayne Rooney’s late goal was little more than a consolation.
It was an emotional send-off for the 118 year old ground as Spurs would be moving into Wembley next season before returning to the new stadium just 100 yards away that has been emerging next door to the old White Hart Lane which was scheduled for final demolition after this game.
Jose Mourinho made eight changes from the Celta Vigo draw for United with Marouane Fellaini, who was completing a domestic suspension, leading the list of players to drop out as the Reds boss shuffled his pack ahead of a Europa League final in Stockholm on May 24.
Eric Bailly, suspended for the Europa League final, stayed in the side that drew with Celta Vigo on Thursday. Daly Blind and Jesse Lingard joined David De Gea, Phil Jones, Chis Smalling, Alex Tuanzebe, Juan Mata, Michael Carrick, Wayne Rooney, and Anthony Martial in the side to play the last game at White Hart Lane.
Supported by a bouncing home crowd in the last game after 118 years at their old home, Spurs dominated the early exchanges and took the lead after just six minutes.
Victor Wanyama’s free header exploited poor marking from a corner after Christian Eriksen played the ball to Ben Davies who sent a cross into the box.
United had little shape but still carved out a chance when Wayne Rooney sent the ball over the top for Anthony Martial to cut inside Toby Alderweireld before hitting a shot just wide of Hugo Lloris’ goal.
Spurs were soon back in control though and they could have been out of sight before the break as they completely dominated the makeshift United side.
Son Heung-min almost doubled the advantage after going one-on-one with David de Gea but his shot was straight at the United custodian.
Harry Kane’s header came off the bar after 22 minutes as Spurs pushed for a second from Eriksen’s free kick.
Eriksen’s 25th minute cross was deflected and looped up towards the far post by de Gea kept the ball out on his line.
Harry Kane linked well with Dele Alli before Kane’s goalbound drive shot was tipped away by de Gea on the half hour mark as United continued to reel.
Spurs finally extended their lead in the 49th minute from an Eriksen free kick which was stabbed in past De Gea from four yards out by Harry Kane who effortlessly held off his marker.
The goal came despite a bright start in the second period for the Reds and the home fans continued their singing, with Son’s curler forcing De Gea into a save.
United tried to change things on the hour mark with Alex Tuanzebe and Jesse Lingard making way for Ander Herrera and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Martial curled an effort wide of the far post with Hugo Lloris struggling to reach it as United tried to rally.
The Reds finally pulled a goal back as Spurs’ intensity dropped when Anthony Martial went past Kieran Trippier and put the ball into the box.
Rooney and Jan Vertonghen went for the ball but the United captain won that race and poked the ball into the roof of the net from three yards out in the 71st minute.
It was United’s first away goal at top-six opponents under Jose Mourinho, and the Portuguese threw on Marcus Rashford for Juan Mata to go for the equaliser.
Phil Jones headed Alli’s shot off the line to keep the Reds in it and Rashford sent United’s injury-time chance agonisingly wide after being put through by Michael Carrick.
Spurs held on for an emotional victory as the pitch was invaded by thousands at the end.