Ronny celebrates @ 3-2

By Chris,
April 25 2009

It had shades of White Hart Lane in 2001 as Manchester United launched an incredible second-half comeback to claim all three points on Saturday evening. Tottenham Hotspur stunned Old Trafford with a two-goal half-time lead before the Red Devils launched a mouth-watering second-half display of attacking football.

In September 2001, Manchester United trailed 3-0 at half-time at White Hart Lane as Dean Richards, Les Ferdinand and Christian Ziege hit the target. United looked beaten.

The Reds would go onto claim a truly astonishing comeback and scored five second-half goals through Andy Cole, Lauren Blanc, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Juan Sebastian Veron and David Beckham. It was an amazing effort - and United's performance on Saturday afternoon wasn't too dissimilar.

Some poor defending from Rio Ferdinand allowed Marcus Bent to pick up a Vedran Corluka cross and drill the ball home.

United looked out-of-sorts and Spurs doubled their lead only two minutes later. Luka Modric was given so much time and space to bring down an Aaron Lennon ball and fire beyond Edwin van der Sar.

Cristiano Ronaldo's long-range volley was denied by Gomes' finger tips before the interval as Spurs took a deserved two-goal lead into the half-time break.

Sir Alex Ferguson knew that changes were necessary and Carlos Tevez replaced the largely effortless Nani during the interval. It proved an inspired change - with the Argentinean and Wayne Rooney both in blistering form as the Reds netted five second-half goals.

United got themselves back into the game on 57 minutes courtesy of a somewhat dubious penalty. Michael Carrick latched onto an amazing through-ball and tried to round Gomes before falling to the ground. It was a close call - but referee Howard Webb felt Carrick had been brought down by the Spurs 'keeper and a spot-kick was awarded.

Ronaldo hit a fine strike into the middle of the net and suddenly the game's direction changed completely.

Wayne Rooney struck from just outside the box to restore parity on 67 minutes, before Ronaldo met a teasing Ronaldo cross with a diving header to put United ahead just one minutes later. The winger was booked for ripping his shirt off in delight - but that's sure not to bother him with his two-goal display bringing United a step closer to an eighteenth league championship crown.

Spurs were stunned and United marched on. Rooney secured his brace as his volley met Ronaldo's teasing cross, before Dimitar Berbatov poked home a goal-mouth scramble after his initial header had been saved.

A truly remarkable second-half display. A truly brilliant victory.

The result puts United three points clear at the top of the league with a game-in-hand.

Attention now turns to the European Champions League and Wednesday's first-leg against the Gooners. The massive games keep coming.

Full Time - Manchester United 5-2 Tottenham Hotspur
Attendance - 75,458