• Manchester United 3-0 Tottenham

Welbeck shines as United crush Spurs

ESPN staff
August 22, 2011
Danny Welbeck guides a header beyond Brad Friedel © PA Photos
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Danny Welbeck went a long way to cementing his place in the Manchester United side with a goal and an assist as the Premier League champions claimed a comfortable 3-0 win over Tottenham.

Welbeck was only handed his chance due to an injury to Javier Hernandez, but he stepped up to the mark with aplomb. He opened the scoring with an excellent header and ensured the points would stay at Old Trafford with a sublime assist for Anderson's clincher. Wayne Rooney put some gloss on the scoreline with a header three minutes from time.

United have seen Manchester City make a bright start to the campaign, but they look in no mood to surrender their crown as they were deeply impressive on a night when United fans were given scarves celebrating last year's 19th title.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp elected to field summer recruit Brad Friedel ahead of Heurelho Gomes and the veteran keeper was swiftly into the action, diving low to his right to keep out a crisp drive from Tom Cleverley.

Friedel's opposite number David de Gea was in the spotlight after a shaky Premier League debut and he will have been relieved to get a solid early touch - clasping a drive from Rafael van der Vaart.

Ashley Young played a big part in helping United start the season with a win at West Brom but he was off target with a decent headed chance following a lovely clipped pass from Rooney.

Friedel was extremely busy at the start of the second half and the 40-year-old was up to the task as he kept out a drive from Young and then produced a fine double save to keep out strikes from Anderson and Rooney.

Tottenham were not afraid to take the game to United and Jermain Defoe had a shot saved by De Gea, while Aaron Lennon incurred the wrath of Van der Vaart when inexplicably failing to pick out his team-mate in acres of space inside the penalty area.

Danny Welbeck celebrates his goal © Getty Images
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Spurs were left to rue the error as Welbeck broke the deadlock with a fine goal just past the hour. The forward drifted into space between defenders and rose well before planting a superb header into the corner.

United turned on the style after moving ahead and it took a string of saves from Friedel to keep Spurs in the game. He kept out a free kick from Rooney with a diving save and had to be alert to keep out Nani's cross-shot and Welbeck's follow-up effort.

But not even Friedel's brilliance could prevent United from doubling their lead, with Welbeck turning provider with a delightful backheel into the path of Anderson who stabbed the ball into the corner.

Ryan Giggs was handed a 20-minute cameo and the 37-year-old proved there is life in the legs with a clipped cross for Rooney to put a seal on an impressive display with a neat headed finish.

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