Manchester United – Tottenham Hotspur

1. Join us at 12.45 BST for live commentary as Tottenham attempt to scupper United's title bid.

2. Hello all and welcome to live text commentary from this crucial match in the race for both the Premier League title and the fourth Champions League place. it's massive. It's Manchester United vs Tottenham at Old Trafford.

3. Right let's get some team news - though i am sure you all know the big revelation that Rooney is out.

4. Man Utd: Van der Sar, Rafael Da Silva, Vidic, Jonathan Evans,Evra, Fletcher, Scholes, Giggs, Valencia, Berbatov, Nani. Subs: Kuszczak, Hargreaves, Brown, Carrick, O'Shea, Macheda, Gibson.

5. Tottenham: Gomes, Assou-Ekotto, Dawson, King, Bale, Bentley, Huddlestone, Palacios, Modric, Defoe, Pavlyuchenko. Subs: Alnwick, Kaboul, Lennon, Jenas, Crouch, Gudjohnsen, Bassong.

6. So, interesting move that in-form Gareth Bale has been moved to left-back for Spurs from the left-wing. Modric is the man to take up that position. Not too surprising that Palacios returns after two games out through suspension.

7. Not that Spurs struggled in those two games - they are of course coming into this one on the back of wins against Arsenal and Chelsea.

8. United have never lost to Spurs at Old Trafford but surely this will be their toughest test. Can Berbatov finally prove himself in the most important match of the season for the Red Devils?

9. A couple of big United v Spurs games at Old Trafford in recent memory - there was that 5-2 when Spurs were leading 2-0 at half-time and United scored five second-half goals.

10. The players are on the pitch and we are just about ready to go here.

11. And we're off..

12. 1'

    Spurs get things started but United have quickly won the ball back.

13. 1'

    Evra down the left interchanges with Berbatov and the ball is spread wide to Valencia.

14. 1'

    He cuts inside and tries to play it to giggs who dummies it straight to a white shirt.

15. 2'

    Scholes picks up the ball and plays it to Berbatov but it's a heavy touch by the Bulgarian.

16. 2'

    Good break from Spurs through Bentley and Pavlyuchenko but it's cleared up by the United defence.

17. 2'

    Throw-in for United now deep in Spurs territory.

18. 3'

    Great defending from Assou-Ekotto who gives Giggs a strong shoulder charge and sees the ball out.

19. 3'

    Valencia looks for Berbatov with the ball down the right wing, after Modric gave the ball away.

20. 4'

    But United's number nine is offside.

21. 4'

    Defoe has the ball down the left after a flick from Pavyluchenko. Good cross from Defoe and Evra forced to slice it out for a corner.

22. 4'

    It's a short one between Bentley and Modric but the ball into the box never comes as Scholes picks Bentley's pocket.

23. 5'

    United try to break down the right but Bale clears it out and Spurs starting to keep possession, happy to knock it around the back four.

24. 5'

    But Berbatov wins it back and runs dangerously through the middle.

25. 6'

    He lacked support but still Dawson made an excellent tackle as Berbatov goes down like a sack of spuds.

26. 6'

    Spurs again keeping possession but United players closing down quickly.

27. 7'

    But the men in white have kept it well.

28. 7'

    Fletcher picks it up now for United and gives it to Rafael, but the right-back's pass is poor.

29. 8'

    Palacios looks to release Bentley down the right wing but it's overhit a touch.

30. 9'

    Scholes gives it to Berbatov who exchanges well with Nani. Flether bursts through the middle and it's well defended again by Assou-Ekotto who has show good strength so far - out for a throw-in.

31. 10'

    Free-kick Spurs now though inside their own half after Nani's foul.

32. 10'

    Bale comes down the left but again good closing down by Rafael - the Brazilian has much to prove after he showed plenty of naivety getting sent off against Bayern Munich.

33. 11'

    Free-kick United after a foul by Palacios on Giggs. Taken quickly and United have a corner out of it.

34. 12'

    Nani and Giggs take it short and then Nani plays it long. Valencia has a second cross but Vidic can't direct his header goalwards.

35. 13'

    United straight back on the attack but Palacios won it back from Vidic's pass. Pavlyuchenko has it but he's not got much support.

36. 14'

    United win it back and Scholes is looking sharp early on. He seems to have had a new lease of life over the last couple of weeks.

37. 15'

    And he's won a free-kick on the edge of the box, moments after Berbatov goes down in the area under a fair headed challenge from Dawson.

38. 15'

    It will be Giggs or Nani to take, favours the left footer though.

39. 16'

    Straight into the wall, disappointing from the wily Welshman.

40. 16'

    Low direct pass into Berbatov on the edge of the area and he searches first time for Fletcher but it's not found him.

41. 17'

    Nani also comes down the left and looks again for Fletcher but he can't quite bring it under control.

42. 18'

    Through-ball to Defoe is overhit but the ref brings the game back for a Spurs free-kick in the centre circle.

43. 18'

    Valencia comes down the right in space, but his cross is well dealt with by Dawson.

44. 19'

    Manchester United are unbeaten in their last 17 league matches against Tottenham since a 3-1 defeat at White Hart Lane in May 2001.

45. 19'

    Giggs tries to thread it through to Valencia storming through the middle. Now Valenic has real pace but Bale sped ahead of him to pick up the ball. The Spurs left-back has really got some gas.

46. 20'

    Berbatov in space through the middle and he plays it to Nani who takes a heavy first touch and goes down rather easily. No foul syas the ref correctly.

47. 21'

    United the brightest so far though Spurs have moved the ball around pretty well when in possession. No chances at all yet.

48. 22'

    Free-kick against Berbatov after he eases Dawson off the ball.

49. 23'

    Spurs have only beaten Manchester United three times in 35 matches in the Premier League; 4-1 in 1996, 3-1 in 1999 and 3-1 in 2001.

50. 23'

    Bale clears the ball away from Valencia and he goes down in a heap. Looks like he twisted his knee a little and he seems in a lot of discomfort.

51. 24'

    Spurs physios attending to him and he's back on his feet now but moving a little gingerly.

52. 25'

    Scholes robs Bentley in possession but Spurs win it back once more as Nani loses his footing.

53. 26'

    Defoe closes down Evans well and the defender slices it away.

54. 27'

    Spurs streaming forward now and Bale uses his pace again to get to the ball ahead of Rafael down the left. Good tackle by the right-back and it's a Spurs corner.

55. 28'

    Pavlyuchenko gets the first attempt of the match away. A hopeful shot from the edge of the box into the grasp of Van der Sar.

56. 29'

    Nani gets the ball down the left, crosses it in to Giggs but Berbatov does and his shot is blocked fantastically by Ledley King.

57. 29'

    And another attempt, the game has sparked into life. Valenica surges through the middle and has a shot easily saved by Gomes.

58. 29'

    The winger should have done better.

59. 30'

    Berbatov volleys wide, he had a lot of time to steady himself to hit it so it's a really poor effort.

60. 30'

    Free-kick for Spurs and Huddlestone has a free header on the edge of the box but he can't find a Spurs team-mate.

61. 31'

    Stunning reverse ball by Nani to Evra, who takes on a speculative shot just inside the left edge of the area. It's over and let's face it, we shoulde xpect nothing less from the United left back!

62. 32'

    The game has opened right up now and Berbatov has it down the left in space but gives the ball away cheaply.

63. 33'

    Paul Scholes needs one more goal to register 150 for Manchester United.

64. 33'

    After engineering a shot, Nani drags his effort tamely wide.

65. 34'

    Bentley brought down by Nani after skipping past Evra and it's a yellow for the Portuguese winger.

66. 35'

    Free-kick is on the right-side, about 25 yards out. It's Bale to take. Can he make it three in three?

67. 35'

    It's wide. And over. Disappointing effort from the young Welshman.

68. 36'

    Defoe with a kick at Rafael but he as going for the ball. Just a free-kick.

69. 36'

    United have won, and kept a clean sheet, in six of their last eight league matches.

70. 37'

    Valenic steps over the ball and tricks Bale to escape the clutches of the Spurs left-back. His cross is in to Giggs but it's a heavy touch by the United captain and the move breaks down.

71. 37'

    Palacios feeds it in to Defoe who does well to hold the ball up and feed Bentley down the right.

72. 38'

    Really good turn from Modric on the edge of the box. It looked like he was going to lay it off to Pavlyuchenko and instead he left three United players standing still as he turned and got a shot away. Great skill but no end product though as the effort dribbles wide.

73. 39'

    Lovely through-ball again from Nani towards Giggs but it's just skipped away from him.

74. 40'

    Valencia plays it to Rafael who turns away from Defoe. He crosses left footed towards Berbatov who brings it down with his right before firing wide and over from what was again a good position.

75. 41'

    United doing the pressing now. Spurs standing firm in defence as they did against Arsenal and Chelsea.

76. 41'

    Corner for United after an impressive turn from Giggs produces a shot that us deflected wide.

77. 42'

    Poor delivery and it's too long for Evans. Rafael plays another long ball towards Vidic at the back post but Dawson does really well to ease the Serbian off the ball.

78. 43'

    Rafael brings down Bale and Spurs have a free-kick down the left. Redknapp's side have packed the box.

79. 44'

    Whipped to the near post but Vidic heads away.

80. 44'

    Spurs forward with Palacios but it's a really poor ball towards Bentley (I think).

81. 44'

    Long ball forward to Giggs, but King eases him off the ball, easily.

82. 45'

    Berbatov called offside - he's been disappointing in this half.

83. 45'

    United launch an attack with Valencia but the ref blows the half-time whistle.

84. 45'

    HALF-TIME: United 0-0 Spurs. Sir Alex Ferguson's side have probably edged it but Spurs have stayed strong at the back with Dawson and King looking as inpenetrable as ever. Defoe has been feeding on scraps and United have had more chances. Berbatov needs to roll his sleeves up and up his game in the second-half. Grab yourself a cup of tea and I will see you in 15 minutes.

85. 46'

    We're off for the second half...

86. 46'

    No changes yet but you have to look at the Spurs bench as stonger then United's. The likes of Crouch, Lennon and Gudjohnsen could still feature.

87. 46'

    Great chance for Spurs. Bentley gets the ball in the box and Defoe engineers some space. The balld ropped to Pavlyuchenko and Evra did enough to put him off as the Russian striker shinned it wide.

88. 47'

    Evra has just been sick on the touchline - not sure what's wrong with him.

89. 47'

    It's a hot day so that might have something to do with it. I'm presuming it's not a hangover!

90. 48'

    Spurs have not won in their last 66 Premier League visits to the Big Four clubs (Drawn 20, Lost 46) since beating Liverpool at Anfield in August 1993.

91. 48'

    Rafael down the right for United. Berbatov has it and releases Valencia down the right. The winger floats a cross in but Gomes collects it.

92. 49'

    Scholes looks long for Giggs, it's a great looking ball but the captain is offside

93. 50'

    Nani brought down by Bale.

94. 50'

    Spurs have already beaten Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea this season. If they win todaythey will be the first club to defeat each of the Big Four in a single season since Leeds United did so in 1995.

95. 51'

    A clash of Wales old and new as Bale jumps into Giggs. It's a United free-kick about 30 yards out. Scholes might fancy this one.

96. 52'

    Nani is the man who takes it - a rubbish effort straight into the wall.

97. 52'

    Corner for United now. Rafael gave it to Valencia whose cross was headed out by King.

98. 53'

    Great chance for United. Berbatov heads it down to Fletcher but he can't get a toe on it. It was Gazza in Euro 96 all over again.

99. 53'

    Palacios dribbles through three players (I kid you not) and then shoots but it's saved comfortably by Van der Sar.

100. 54'

     Spurs sub: Gudjohnsen on for Defoe.

101. 54'

     Redknapp trying to add a different dimension to Tottenham's game. The ICeland striker will sit a little deeper.

102. 55'

     Cross comes in from Valencia and Berbatov wins the header again but can't generate any power.

103. 55'

     King with a great defensive challenge on Valencia. United corner.

104. 56'

     Nani creates some space for himself and then fires a shot in towards the near post. But it's wide of the mark.

105. 56'

     United penalty. Assou-Ekotto took down Evra and it's a definite penalty after some great play by berbatov to create the chance.

106. 57'

     Giggs to take it.

107. 57'

     GOAL! Giggs.

108. 58'

     United 1-0 Spurs. A massive pressure kick and just like he did in Moscow in 2008 he holds his nerve. It goes right in the bottom left hand corner past Gomes who had dived the right way.

109. 58'

     It was a real moment of magic from Berbatov he drove in from the left wing and back heeled it into Evra's path. He skipped past the Spurs left-back and it was a certain spot kick.

110. 59'

     United sub: Carrick on for Valencia.

111. 60'

     Giggs plays on the left wing now, Nani on the right and Carrick joins Scholes and Fletcher in centre mid.

112. 60'

     Valenica looked injured after the clash with King.

113. 61'

     United drive forward again but after some good exchanges, Giggs plays a through-ball to no-one.

114. 62'

     United have the best defensive record in the division, conceding 27 goals in 35 matches.

115. 62'

     Modric improvises well to chest the ball into Bale's path and Spurs attacking down the left wing.

116. 62'

     Fine tackle by Evans.

117. 63'

     United break at pace with Berbatov but they can't quite find a way throught he Spurs defence.

118. 64'

     Beautiful control by Fletcher to pick out a long ball but again Nani's cross can't find a red shirt.

119. 64'

     United pushing hard for the second goal but Spurs still looking impressive in defence. Rafael's cross into the box is met by Gomes.

120. 64'

     Aaron Lennon warming up, looking ready to come on.

121. 65'

     Spurs sub: Lennon on for Bentley. A poor game from Bentley, he has done very little.

122. 66'

     Palacios has gone to right back, Assou Ekotto has moved to left-back, Bale on the left-wing, Lennon on the right and Modric in centre-mid. Wholesale changes for Spurs.

123. 66'

     United sub: O'Shea on for Evra.

124. 66'

     I think Lennon will fancy his chances againat O'Shea.

125. 67'

     Spurs pushing forward at the moment - searching hard for an equaliser.

126. 67'

     First clash is a tackle from O'Shea - he did well there or Lenno would have been away.

127. 68'

     Gudjohnsen has shown some good movement since he came on but just not quite able to manufacture a chance yet.

128. 68'

     This is Gudjohnsen's 250th English league appearance.

129. 68'

     Spurs keeping possession well. Lovely ball from Modric to Bale with the outside of his foot. Bale's cross deflected out for a corner off Rafael.

130. 69'

     GOAL! King.

131. 70'

     United 1-1 Spurs. King was all over Carrick but he's got up highest and headed it right into the corner past Rafael on the post.

132. 70'

     The young Brazilian didn't do his job there at all.

133. 70'

     This is set to be a rollercoaster last 20 minutes.

134. 71'

     Spurs still pressing and they've taken the attacking bull by the horns. Assou-Ekotto crosses in but it's collected by Van der Sar.

135. 71'

     Carrick down the right and he's pulled it back but Nani has taken it off Scholes' foot and it's deflected away.

136. 72'

     Nani down the right trying to engineer some space. He gets the cross in but it's too near the goalkeeper.

137. 73'

     O'Shea brings down Lennon and Spurs take a quick free-kick. Lennon crosses in and it's fired towards goal but Van der Sar collects.

138. 74'

     Bale accelerates down the left having stolen the ball after a poor Scholes pass. He wins the corner off Evans.

139. 75'

     Spurs sub: Crouch on for Pavlyuchenko.

140. 75'

     The Russian has been poor today.

141. 76'

     Crouch wins the ball and Gudjohsen has an opening on the edge of the box, Fantastic tackjle from Vidic but the ball drops to Huddlestone - who fires it high over the bar.

142. 76'

     Fletcher's cross into the box from the right wing and Berbatov is beaten to it by Gomes.

143. 77'

     Nani is released by Rafael, he gets half a yard but then hits another poor shot into the grateful grasp of Gomes.

144. 78'

     Rafael takes it pastBale with a nice bit of skill but his cross is met by Dawson.

145. 78'

     Scholes twists and turns through two Spurs players and passes it in to Berbatov but it's a lazy flick from the Bulgarian.

146. 79'

     United sub: Macheda on for Rafael.

147. 80'

     An attacking sub by Ferguson but will it be United or Spurs who grab a winner in the last ten minutes?

148. 80'

     GOAL! Nani.

149. 81'

     United 2-1 Spurs. United have done it. Great through ball from Macheda and Nani accelerated through and lifted the ball beautifully over Gomes. Great finish.

150. 81'

     Spurs straight back on the attack though. this game is far from over as the noise levels rise at Old Trafford.

151. 82'

     Confusion in the box as Scholes somehow emerges with the ball. He looks a picture of calmness though his team-mates didn't.

152. 83'

     Gudjohnsen's ball into the box is met by Crouch, who heads it towards Huddlestone. The midfielde rlays it off to Bale who finds Crouch again. But his shot is dragged wide.

153. 84'

     Berbatov down the right for United and he tries an extremely speculative effort from an extremely acute angle. Unsurprisingly it's no here near.

154. 84'

     Penalty to United!

155. 84'

     Nani brought down by Palacios after accelerating into the area.

156. 85'

     Giggs to take again.

157. 85'

     GOAL! Giggs.

158. 85'

     United 3-1 Spurs. Surely that is game over. Perfect penalty from Giggs, it couldn't have been more in the corner if he tried. Fair play to Gomes, he guessed right again.

159. 86'

     Berbatov into the area and he falls over the ball but it's not a penalty this time.

160. 87'

     Harry Redknapp looks utterly devastated. His team have been utterly rocked by another United late show.

161. 87'

     Scholes and Giggs keepeing possession - the ideal players to have in such a situation.

162. 88'

     Just as I said that Scholes gave a hospital pass to Carrick and Spurs come away with the ball.

163. 88'

     Crouch with a shot on the turn from the edge of the area and Vidic does well to get the block.

164. 89'

     Sorry, no block. Apparently it was just spooned away for a goal kick.

165. 89'

     Crouch with a flick-on but there's no-one there.

166. 90'

     Four minutes of added time to play.

167. 90'

     Nani is being sick on the pitch, well wretching. The second United player to do so after Evra earlier on.

168. 91'

     Spurs have the ball and Bale brings his team froward down the left.

169. 91'

     But he's been dispossessed by Macheda who shimmies through and gets a shot away. but it's well blocked by King. Nice skill though.

170. 92'

     Nani, who seems okay now for thoise of you who were worried, runs with the ball down the right.

171. 93'

     Lennon tries to speed past O'Shea but he's overhit it and Van der Sar collects.

172. 94'

     It's all over...

173. 94'

     United 3-1 Spurs. Wow. It was 0-0 with no attempts on goal until the 28th minute, but the game exploded into life. United probably deserved the win, they kept plugging away when Spurs equalised. Just like last week, it was a veteran who provided the goals - two ice cool finishes from the spot by Giggs, but it was Nani's goal that was the pick of the bunch.

174. 94'

     United are top of the league by two points, but Chelsea have a game in hand against Stoke tomorrow. Spurs are still two points ahead of Man City, but have played a game more. That's all from me folks, thanks for tuning in. Chris Murphy has all the live chat and updates from this afternoon's Premier League games.

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