Tottenham 1-0 Man United: Spurs end 106-day wait for home league win as Amorim suffers again

James Maddison’s 13th-minute strike on his return from injury gave Tottenham victory at home in the Premier League for the first time since November 3 by completing a hat-trick of victories over Manchester United this season.

Midfielder Maddison pounced to slot in when Andre Onana pushed Lucas Bergvall’s angled drive into his path, although Alejandro Garnacho sent a golden opportunity for the visitors high over the crossbar shortly afterwards.

The result will amplify criticism of United manager Ruben Amorim,who has lost eight and won four of his 14 league games in charge since leaving Sporting for Old Trafford in November.

Spurs moved above United and rose to 12th, while the 20-time champions are 15th and closer to the relegation zone than the top six.

James Maddison nets on his return from injury! pic.twitter.com/59Q1DG5moD

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 16, 2025

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has repeatedly emphasised the difference it will make to his side’s erratic form when more members of his lengthy list of injury absentees are available.

Maddison and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario went some way to proving the Australian’s point as they proved pivotal in a first win in eight home league games since a 4-1 defeat of Aston Villa almost four months ago.

Vicario kept United at bay on his comeback after breaking his ankle in November, and there was more good news for Postecoglou on the bench, where long-term absentees Brennan Johnson, Destiny Udogie and Wilson Odobert featured.

On-loan Bayern Munich forward Mathys Tel was lively on his full debut for Tottenham, drawing a save from Onana when Son Heung-min fed the 19-year-old shortly after the game.

Amorim cut a familiar pained pose when Garnacho blazed over from Bruno Fernandes’ clever pass, but Spurs bossed possession during the first half and were deserving winners.

Casemiro started in his first Premier League appearance of 2025 and was part of a United team who struggled for inspiration as Spurs eclipsed them again.

United lost 3-0 at home to Tottenham in the league before Amorim replaced Erik ten Hag and were knocked out of the EFL Cup at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on December 19.

Tottenham are next in action when they travel to third-bottom Ipswich Town on Saturday (3pm GMT), while Amorim’s side visit in-form Everton – who have moved a point above them since appointing former United boss David Moyes – at 12.30pm on the same day.

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