Tottenham vs Manchester United LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction tonight
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Goals by Cristiano Ronaldo, Edinson Cavani and Marcus Rashford were the inevitable difference between two dysfunctional teams who had both been in crisis, but with one spending an awful lot more than the other.
That is what has again spared Ole Gunnar Solskjaer immediate pressure, as he once more got a win just when all seemed lost. That will see all focus now go on Nuno Espirito Santo - and, judging by this crowd, Daniel Levy - after an utterly dismal 3-0 defeat.
That was what was really predictable.
It was not just that Solskjaer got the win he always tends to in such situations. It was that the predictability of Spurs’ tepid approach made it a certainty. United could willingly look on White Hart Lane and be glad they don’t have those problems.
While the travelling supporters offered their usual show of support to Solskjaer regardless of circumstances, that really wasn’t the case from the home fans.
The boos just got louder as the game went on, to the point they became deafening, and culminating in shouts that the manager didn’t know what he was doing and that Daniel Levy should follow him out of the club.
GOAL! Liverpool 2-0 Brighton (MANE 24’)
Liverpool double their lead as Mane hits his sixth Premier League goal of the campaign! But everyone is turning to Oxlade-Chamberlain for his part in the goal. He picks up the ball in acres and space and whips a delicious cross over Duffy’s head, where Mane steals in to nod Liverpool into a two-goal lead. Brilliant cross, simple header, and Liverpool are looking comfortable at Anfield.
Liverpool 1-0 Brighton
21 mins: Mane has been quiet so far with so much of Liverpool’s play going down the opposite side, but he swivels to evade Veltman before threading a ball through to Robertson. Brighton recover to concede the corner and are able to clear.
Liverpool 1-0 Brighton
18 mins: A concern for Liverpool as Naby Keita goes down. Liverpool are going to be forced into an early change and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is set to come on. Keita had made a good start to this match, finding the ball in good pockets of space, but it’s another frustrating injury for him.
Liverpool 1-0 Brighton
17 mins: Big chance for Liverpool, but Firmino can’t keep his shot down! It’s lovely play from the hosts, worked inside from Keita into Salah, and on to Firmino. The Brazilian was in space and tried to chip the ball over Sanchez, but he got under the ball as it flew over the bar.
Liverpool 1-0 Brighton
14 mins: Brighton hit the post as Alisson makes another important save! It’s a reminder of the visitors threat as they again come close, this time through Bissouma. The midfielder won the ball back on the halfway line after Konate lost possession and drove forward, before hitting a swerving shot towards the near post. The goalkeeper got down well to tip the shot onto the woodwork and Liverpool clear the resulting corner.
Liverpool 1-0 Brighton
11 mins: Salah sizes up Cucurella again on the right win, cutting inside and aiming a ball towards the back post. Robertson was again arriving but it drifted over his head.
Liverpool 1-0 Brighton
9 mins: Liverpool have settled nicely after Henderson’s goal. Alexander-Arnold and Salah knocks the ball to each other out on the right win before the former wins a corner off Cucurella. Brighton clear it at the near post.
Cucurella has been the man tasked with looking after Salah today - in what could be the hardest job in world football at the moment.
Liverpool 1-0 Brighton
6 mins: Close! Keita had plenty of time and space after picking up the ball in the right channel. He swings it in towards Robertson, who was making a darting run to the back post, but it just evaded the left back.
GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Brighton (HENDERSON 4’)
But Liverpool go straight down the other end and it’s the captain who gives them the lead! It’s a fine goal, Van Dijk sprayed an accurate ball out wide to Salah, who drifted inside before laying the ball back to Henderson. The midfielder produced a trademark finish, whipping the ball back across goal and into the far corner!
And just moments before, Solly March beat the offside trap and had all the time in the world to pick his spot from the angle. He tried to power the ball across Alisson, but the Liverpool goalkeeper reacted well to make a big stop!
What a start and what a crucial couple of minutes that could be!
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