Tottenham won their first game under Ange Postecoglou and in the post-Harry Kane era with a dramatic and well-deserved victory over Manchester United.
There were pre-match protests against Spurs chairman Daniel Levy and owner ENIC, but Postecoglou was greeted warmly, and once the action began, Spurs reacted with a vibrant display of the aggressive style that is the Australian’s trademark.
Spurs and United generated chances throughout a sometimes chaotic match until Pape Matar Sarr’s goal four minutes after the break, which was smashed high into the net from close range.
Spurs clinched the victory in front of an exuberant home crowd after 83 minutes when Ivan Perisic’s cross took a touch off, Ben Davies, before heading in via Lisandro Martinez.
Pedro Porro and Luke Shaw’s deflection hit the woodwork twice in the first half for the hosts, while Antony hit the post for United, new Spurs goalie Guglielmo Vicario stopped Casemiro magnificently, and Bruno Fernandes somehow headed wide of an open goal in the first half.
Both teams had penalty requests denied when Cristian Romero handled and then when the Spurs defender appeared to be shoved to the ground by Martinez at the opposite end, but it was the Spurs’ stronger offensive intent that won the game.