Spurs found their way back to winning ways with a crucial 1-0 victory over Manchester United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, offering a much-needed boost to their Premier League campaign.
James Maddison’s clinical finish in the 13th minute proved to be the difference, taking Tottenham to 12th place in the table.
Despite some tense moments, particularly from Alejandro Garnacho’s attacking threats, Spurs’ defensive resilience and disciplined approach ensured they walked away with all three points.
A standout performer on the day was Djed Spence, who impressed despite being thrust into the left-back position due to the club’s ongoing injury crisis. The 24-year-old, typically a right-back, adapted admirably and delivered a performance that drew praise from fans and pundits alike.
Gary Neville on Djed Spence
Sky Sports commentator Gary Neville singled out Spence for his solid showing, noting that he was as effective as anyone else for Spurs at left-back, declaring him the player of the match.
Neville acknowledged Spence’s determination and composure, particularly given the challenge of playing out of position.
The pundit said (as quoted via London World):
“It isn’t an easy one to choose (player of the match) but I think Djed Spence has been good as any for Spurs at left-back. Spence on that side has stuck to his task well.”
Spence’s match statistics spoke volumes about his influence. Over 90 minutes, he recorded 86 touches, completing 53 of 58 passes with a 91% accuracy rate. He also created a scoring opportunity, registering an Expected Assists (xA) value of 0.15, played nine passes into the final third, and successfully completed two of his three attempted dribbles.
Defensively, Spence stood firm, contributing five defensive actions, making four recoveries, and winning six of his seven ground duels with an impressive 86% success rate. (via FotMob)
This victory marked Tottenham’s third win over Manchester United this season, showcasing their ability to rise despite their injury struggles.
As Spurs prepare to face Ipswich Town, the momentum from this hard-fought win, coupled with Spence’s versatility and defensive prowess, could be key in building consistency and climbing further up the table.
