Henrikh Mkhitaryan scored for the second match in succession to give Manchester United a much-needed victory over Tottenham in the Premier League.
The home side took the lead when Mkhitaryan, who finally has the trust of Jose Mourinho, was released by Ander Herrera and finished cleanly.
United remain sixth but are now just three points behind their opponents, six short of rivals Manchester City, and 13 off leaders Chelsea.
Manchester United’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan scores their first goalReuters
In the second half, Spurs threatened as Matteo Darmian was targeted by Moussa Sissoko, but United held on.
Another blow for United came late on when Mkhitaryan left on a stretcher following a hack from Danny Rose. Mourinho will be concerned he will miss crucial, winnable games against Crystal Palace, West Brom and Sunderland in the coming weeks.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan sustains an injury after a challenge from Tottenham’s Danny RoseReuters
United will be relieved to finally close out a game with some resilience, and Spurs will be frustrated with a poor afternoon of toothless attacking.
TALKING POINT
Have Manchester United finally worked out how to win close games? They have drawn against Everton, West Ham and Arsenal in the league, and when they failed to dominate the early stages of the second half, it was tempting to believe they would draw against Spurs, too. But Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo, surprisingly, are offering more defensive organisation with each passing match, and Eric Bailly offers a calming presence. Perhaps, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan offering danger up front, United have found a way to win tight matches under Mourinho.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Manchester United): The best player on the pitch by some distance, he is direct, able to find players with accurate passes, and also able to move the ball quickly when it’s at his feet. Since his return to the team, he has two goals, two assists and four man-of-the-match performances. If he is out with a serious injury, Mourinho will finally have something he can justly call bad luck.
PLAYER RATINGS
Manchester United: De Gea 7, Valencia 6, Jones 7, Rojo 7, Darmian 5, Carrick 7, Herrera 6, Mkhitaryan 8, Pogba 6, Martial 5, Ibrahimovic 6. Subs: Bailly 7, Fellaini 6, Rashford 6.
Tottenham Hotspur: Lloris 7, Walker 6, Alderweireld 6, Vertonghen 6, Rose 6, Wanyama 6, Dembele 6, Eriksen 5, Dele 5, Son 6, Kane 5. Subs: Winks 6, Sissoko 7, Nkoudou 6.
KEY EVENTS
2′ – LLORIS SAVE – Mkhitaryan releases Ibrahimovic down the right, who crosses for Pogba’s run into the box, and he drives a shot at goal that Lloris beats away.
18′ – ERIKSEN FREE-KICK – Eriksen strikes it, and De Gea has to leap down to his right to palm the shot away.
Tottenham’s Moussa Sissoko, Harry Winks and Dele Alli are spoken to by referee Robert MadleyReuters
29′ – GOAL! Manchester United 1-0 Spurs. Mkhitaryan scores – He makes a break behind the defence to chase on to a pass. He outpaces Vertonghen, takes a touch and lashes a shot over the ‘keeper.
63′ – POGBA FREE KICK – Pogba strikes a superb effort against the crossbar, from 25 yards out. Lloris was rooted to the spot.
64′ – POGBA SHOT – Pogba and Mkhitaryan swap passes, with Pogba in the box as he hooks a shot at the near post. Lloris is alive to the threat and reacts quickly with a dive to his left.
70′ – ERIKSEN FREE KICK – De Gea gets down smartly to push away an Eriksen free kick, low to the ‘keeper’s right.
KEY STATS
Mkhitaryan became the first Armenian (the 96th different nationality) to score in the Premier League.
