In the very last game at White Hart Lane, Tottenham Hotspur left us all with one more happy memory, as Manchester United were brushed aside with relative ease 2-1.
The stage was set for an emotionally charged afternoon at the Lane, and Tottenham donning a unique commemorative kit, started the game as brightly as the future before the them. A short corner from Eriksen saw Ben Davies on the ball near the corner of the penalty area. He played a marvellous ball into the heart of the defence, where Victor Wanyama fired a bullet header past a helpless David De Gea after just 5 minutes of play.
From there, Tottenham looked to build on their early breakthrough. Creative Korean Heung-Min Son forged a way through the United back four soon after, but unfortunately powered a shot straight at the Spanish goalkeeper. Talisman Harry Kane then rose the highest to connect with another delightful cross, this time from the White Hart Dane himself Christian Eriksen. He however saw his header clip the bar on it’s way out, much to the frustration of Kane, who was still waiting for his first ever goal against Manchester United.
At half time, a relentless Tottenham side took a well-earned 15 minute break, as did the fans, who’d been in full voice for 45 minutes straight. In recognition of the momentous occasion ‘Rockney’ duo Chas and Dave made a half-time appearance. Chas and Dave’s affiliation with the club was founded in in the 80s, writing and performing FA Cup songs with Tottenham Hotspur.
The second half followed the same trend as the first with a goal inside 5 minutes. This time it was Harry Kane, who at last got a goal against United. A debatable free-kick was swung in by Eriksen to the front post, where Kane improvised an imaginative flick with the outside of his foot, taking the defender and the goalkeeper completely by surprise. It was Harry Kane’s 49th goal at White Hart Lane and Tottenham were coasting to success.
United, however, threw a spanner in the works in the 71st minute, when French international Anthony Martial drilled a cross into the 6 yard box, only for Wayne Rooney to keep up his fine goal-scoring record at the Lane by tapping it home. It was suggested that the decisive touch past Hugo Lloris actually came off Belgian center-back Jan Vertonghen, however replays showed that the ball was already heading into the net before ricocheting off the Spurs number 5.
The goal proved to be no more than a consolation for United, as Spurs held on to win their final game at White Hart Lane 2-1. The whistle and the performance was met by rapturous applause from the Spurs faithful. The win confirmed Tottenham’s first unbeaten home season in the league since 1965 and doomed Manchester United to a finish outside the top 4. Their only route to Champions League football is now Europa League success.
Tottenham closed the day out with a long and nostalgic farewell ceremony, lead by former legends, talented entertainers, famous fans and of course, the current Tottenham Hotspur squad and staff. Though soon to be gone for good, the atmosphere and memory of the Lane was promised to be never forgotten.
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