De Ligt rescues draw for Man Utd at Spurs after THREE late goals

Matthijs de Ligt equalised in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time as Manchester United salvaged a dramatic 2-2 draw at Tottenham Hotspur.

Saturday’s match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium descended into chaos in the closing stages, with the hosts clawing themselves in front before De Ligt’s last-gasp heroics for United.

Ruben Amorim's side went ahead through a pinpoint header from October's EA SPORTS Player of the Month Bryan Mbeumo just after the half-hour mark.

However, they looked set to leave empty-handed when Mathys Tel struck in the 84th minute and Richarlison completed Spurs' turnaround in the first minute of stoppage time.

But there was one final twist to come, as De Ligt was left unmarked at the far post to nod Bruno Fernandes' corner home, extending United's unbeaten run to five games, leaving Spurs fifth and the Red Devils in eighth.

How the match unfolded

Man Utd opened the scoring in the 32nd minute. Amad stood up an excellent cross from the right side of the penalty area, and Mbeumo nodded home at the back post. 

Watch: Mbeumo's opener v Spurs

Two huge saves from Senne Lammens kept Spurs at bay early in the second half, with the Belgian stopping Cristian Romero's goal-bound flick, then getting down to parry Joao Palhinha's volley. 

Brennan Johnson was flagged offside when he latched on to Richarlison's pass to tuck home shortly after the hour.

Spurs' leveller finally arrived when substitute Tel spun on Destiny Udogie's cross and saw his shot deflect in off De Ligt. 

With Micky van de Ven making a heroic challenge to deny United substitute Benjamin Sesko on the break at the other end, Richarlison then thought he had won the game, when he guided Wilson Odobert's effort beyond Lammens with a glancing header. 

De Ligt had the final say, however, powering home following Fernandes' in-swinging delivery with the full-time whistle looming. 

Watch: The key moments from the last 10 minutes of Spurs v Man Utd

Victory evades Frank after slow start

Spurs' struggles at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this season have been well-documented, suffering a 1-0 defeat at home to Chelsea last weekend. However, after today's performance against Man Utd, there could be reasons for optimism.

Pape Matar Sarr, Van de Ven and Djed Spence all missed chances to clear in the build-up to Mbeumo's goal, while Spurs did not register a single shot on target throughout the first half. 

Spurs were much improved in the second period, with Xavi Simons showing some clever touches around the edge of United's area. 

Frank's changes proved vital for Spurs, as Tel combined with fellow substitute Udogie for the equaliser. Odobert, who had been introduced in favour of Randal Kolo Muani at half-time, proved the catalyst for their second goal. 

But the Spurs head coach will be hugely frustrated to see his team concede from a set-piece when three points, which would have taken them second in the Premier League table, were within their grasp. 

Spurs are now winless in five home Premier League games since beating Burnley on the opening weekend, though they will hope to continue their positive away form next time out, against north London rivals Arsenal. 

Eventful outing for De Ligt 

United entered this game buoyed by a monthly awards double, with Amorim winning Barclays Manager of the Month for October and Mbeumo named EA SPORTS Player of the Month. 

Of the three high-profile attacking acquisitions made by United in the last transfer window, Mbeumo has been the standout, and he stole a march on Spurs' static defence to score his fifth Premier League goal of the season during the first half. 

But when United's rearguard action crumbled in the second half, it was De Ligt, rather than any of their star attackers, that saved the day. 

De Ligt's last-gasp leveller capped an eventful day for the Dutchman, who saw a back-pass roll under Lammens' foot and wide of the post early on before playing an unfortunate role in Spurs' first goal. 

The equaliser will have been a particularly sweet moment for De Ligt, who was part of the Ajax team that lost a memorable UEFA Champions League semi-final to Spurs in 2019. 

Amorim will be delighted by the character shown by his team, who host Everton at Old Trafford on 24 November, following the international break.

Club reports

Spurs report | Man Utd report

What the managers said

Thomas Frank on his substitutions: "Yeah, sometimes you are lucky but of course every single time I take a decision to sub a player it’s with one aim - to make the team win or get back into the game or try to see the game out. It’s with only one aim - to try to win the game. No doubt, Mathys did well, great goal, great involvement and in general I think Xavi played a fine game, positive, but also you need a bit of freshness."

Ruben Amorim: "During the game we felt like the three points were there to take home. But then with everything that happened, Harry Maguire and Casemiro coming off and conceding two goals... we scored again and it's a point.

"When you cannot win you don't lose, once again we did that. We have so much to grow as a team, because today was our day to win this game."

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Key facts

Spurs are unbeaten in six successive league games against Manchester United (W3 D3); their joint-longest run in the top-flight along with October 1921.

Spurs have conceded the opening goal in eight of their last 12 home Premier League games (W2 D3 L7), including four of their last five league matches (D2 L3).

Man Utd are the first side to score the opening goal, go behind and then not lose in successive Premier League games since Manchester City in May/August 2012.

Today was the first time that Spurs have gone ahead in the 90th minute of a Premier League game and not gone on to win.