Tottenham 1-1 Man Utd: Fernandes denies Mourinho victory

Bruno Fernandes’ late penalty denied Jose Mourinho victory against his former team as Manchester United claimed a 1-1 draw against Tottenham on their return to Premier League action.

After a three-month period without any professional football, two of the top-four challengers went head-to-head in a showpiece match in the battle for Champions League qualification.

Inside the empty Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, all 22 players took a knee in tribute to the Black Lives Matter movement and applauded NHS workers for their efforts during the coronavirus pandemic.

Paul Pogba, who hadn’t made an appearance since Boxing Day due to injury, was only on the bench but Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford were both named in their side’s respective lineups.

TSteven Bergwijn capitalised on a loose ball after Man United lost possession in midfield and the Dutchman’s bamboozled Harry Maguire with a mazy run before firing at David De Gea, who palmed the ball into his net in a manner which would have left the Spaniard cursing in frustration.

That goal gave Spurs a new lease of confidence as they countered with pace and direction with United struggling to make an impression in the final third.

De Gea redeemed himself with a fine save to deny Heung-min Son as Spurs went into the break deservedly in front.

But United finally made it count and it was Pogba who was the architect. The midfielder danced by Eric Dier on the byline and won a penalty after a clumsy challenge from the centre-back. Up stepped Fernandes to slot into the corner and United looked favourites to win it.

read also: Spurs/Man Utd: Ighalo benched, Rashford, Martial to strike

In the final minute of normal time, referee Jonathan Moss pointed to the spot after Dier was adjudged to have fouled Fernandes. But VAR correctly overturned the decision to come to a furious Mourinho’s rescue as the spoils were shared.