Matthijs de Ligt’s 96th-minute header earned Manchester United a 2-2 draw at Tottenham in a thrilling Premier League encounter.
Manchester United’s unbeaten run stretched to five games after a frantic 2-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Bryan Mbeumo opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, heading in Amad Diallo’s precise cross after a defensive lapse by the hosts.
United dominated much of the first half, with goalkeeper Senne Lammens denying Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven after the break. Tottenham looked flat and frustrated, while the visitors seemed set for their first win over Spurs in eight meetings.
Tottenham’s fortunes turned when head coach Thomas Frank substituted Xavi Simons for Mathys Tel in the 79th minute. The decision was initially booed by home fans but soon vindicated. Tel equalised six minutes from time, swivelling on a low cross from Destiny Udogie to blast past Lammens.
Moments later, Richarlison, who had been under intense criticism, thought he had completed the comeback. In the first minute of stoppage time, he expertly flicked Wilson Odobert’s long-range effort into the net to spark wild celebrations.
However, the drama was far from over. United were reduced to 10 men after substitute Benjamin Sesko limped off injured, leaving the visitors short-handed in added time.
As Spurs fans prepared for victory, Matthijs de Ligt delivered heartbreak. With virtually the last touch of the game, the Dutch defender rose highest from a Bruno Fernandes corner to head home from a tight angle in the 96th minute.
De Ligt’s goal silenced the home crowd and ensured United avoided defeat despite playing the final minutes with one man down. The equaliser also meant Tottenham failed to win a Premier League match in which they led after 90 minutes for the first time ever.
The contest swung back and forth in a breathless finale. Mbeumo was a standout for United, not just for his goal but for his tireless pressing and link-up play with Diallo. Tel made an instant impact off the bench, while Richarlison’s emotional goal ended his 13-match drought for club and country.
For United, Lammens’ reflex saves and De Ligt’s leadership in defence stood out. Yet Ruben Amorim’s side once again exposed their fragility, conceding twice in the final 10 minutes after losing Harry Maguire and Casemiro to injuries.
The draw leaves Tottenham in fifth place on 18 points, while Manchester United sit eight with 18. Spurs have now dropped points in five of their last six home league games, and their defensive lapses remain a concern for Frank.
United, meanwhile, face an anxious wait on the assessment of Sesko’s knee injury and will soon lose Mazraoui, Mbeumo and Diallo to the Africa Cup of Nations in December. Their next test comes at Old Trafford against Everton, while Spurs travel to Arsenal for the North London derby.
