Welcome to the final live game of what has been a very busy day. So far it’s seen a sacking, a thrashing, a drama-filled derby and now, possibly, a decisive match in the title race. Manchester United will be looking to end Tottenham’s title hopes while enhancing their own, Spurs will look to hang on to the top three while holding United back. The problem for the home side, though, is that the team news has gone against them. They miss three key players in Gareth Bale, Scott Parker and Rafael van der Vaart. United regain one in Wayne Rooney…

As Spurs begin to drop off and suffer absences, the question must be asked: has Redknapp used his squad properly? Spurs rarely changed their side in the first few momths of the season and that possibly explained their relentless runs in contrast to other sides.Are we going to see the offset now?

The teams:

Tottenham: Friedel, Walker, King, Kaboul, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon, Livermore, Sandro, Modric, Adebayor, Saha. Subs: Cudicini, Giovani, Defoe, Dawson, Kranjcar, Rose, Nelsen.

Man Utd: De Gea, Jones, Evans, Ferdinand, Evra, Nani, Carrick, Scholes, Young, Rooney, Welbeck. Subs: Amos, Anderson, Giggs, Park, Hernandez, Fabio Da Silva, Rafael Da Silva.

And we’re off…

Tottenham start sharply,Evra charging down Lennon’s cross.

A fast game but not much by way of creativity yet.

A supreme tackle by Johnny Evans as he checks Lennon’s charge through the centre of the United midfield.

Saha takes what you could describe as the first meaningful shot of the match but it’s fairly feeble and easily collected by De Gea. Tottenham just probing around the edge of the United area at the moment.

De Gea now pushing away an Adebayor effort. Tottenham have certainly started stringer.

Almost falls for Spurs as Lennon gets to the by-line again and drills in a cross that bounces around dangerously before Ferdinand clears. United have not hit their stride. Spurs are in theirs.

Free-kick to Tottenham in a dangerous area as Jones takes down Saha at the edge of the box. Booking as well. Four Spurs players standing over the ball now…

Lennon touches it to Kaboul who drives it low. It takes a deflection and goes out for a corner. United still under pressure.

A sign of how things are going as Wayne Rooney is back in the box powering a defensive header clear.

United finally get forward after a spell of passing but, once Young flicks it back to the Nani, the latter plays a poor ball forward, gifting it back to Spurs.

Can just feel the game starting to change a bit now. Tottenham have had plenty of possession but, without Van der Vaart and Bale, no real ingenuity or extra option.

Goal disallowed. Spurs have the ball in the net after Lennon destroys Jones on the wing. Saha shoots at goal but, Adebayor on the line, the ball hits the striker’s hand before he touches it in.

GOAL! Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 Manchester United

Although that wasn’t coming in general play, it was coming given past history. United exert a bit of pressure for the first time in the game and, from Ashley Young’s corner, Wayne Rooney rises to head home. Great header to be fair.

HALF-TIME: Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 Manchester United

Tottenham have had a lot of the ball but done little with it. United have had little with thbe ball but done a lot with it.

Tottenham fans booing referee Atkinson for disallowing goal. United may have been fortunate, as Adebayor could do very little about the handball. His hand does bring it back into his path though.

The second half kicks off…

As impressive as Spurs have been, it would be very Spurs-like if the only games they lost at home this season were to the top two. Unbeaten here since the 5-1 to City.

Second half falling into same pattern as first, Tottenham threatening, United beating them away with relative ease.

United didn’t clear that with ease though! Livermore’s shot takes a deflection, bringing a fine save from De Gea and Evans just about clears before Adebayor can pounce.

Spurs still have the momentum. Forcing corners and shots from distance… but nothing much that is really making United anxious. Ferdinand and Evans standing firm.

Assou-Ekotto clips the top of the bar with a well-struck free-kick. Story of Spurs’ game though. Looks good and threatening, not actually doing much damage.

GOAL! Tottenham Hotspur 0-2 Manchester United

Another stolen goal. Again though, given the pattern of play, you could oddly see it coming. Modric goes to sleep at a United throw-in, allowing Nani to hook a ball across the box. It’s desperately and badly cleared to Ashley Young. But, although he’s only yards from goal, he still has a lot to do from a difficult angle. In spite of that, he volleys it superbly into the far corner. Fine finish.

Spurs back in the United half and back looking the better team but, again, nothing really doing for them.

GOAL! Tottenham Hotspur 0-3 Manchester United

Nothing stolen about that! Ashley Young curls a superb strike into the top corner to seal this game and send out a major statement in this title race.

And now United are absolutely cruising and trying to kill Tottenham. After a game like that, this could yet end up proving embarrassing.

This game is over. Tottenham naturally lost any hope after the second and any heart after the third. Just playing out time now as United contain them.

GOAL! Tottenham Hotspur b-3 Manchester United

Spurs reclaim some pride through substitute Jermain Defoe, who takes advantage of a poor Giggs pass to curl one past De Gea with Ferdinand obstructing the goalkeeper’s view.

Spurs threatening as it goes into stoppage time and, although offside, Defoe almost diverted a cross in. Things could have been a bit more interesting.

FULL-TIME: Tottenham Hotspur 1-3 Manchester United

A significant statement from United if not quite a compelling performance. Despite being the inferior team (but having the much superior defence) they comfortably held out to kill Tottenham on the counter. Even better, they now have a very comfortable run of fixtures. Tottenham, meanwhile, are starting to slip and must be looking over their shoulder at Arsenal in fourth.