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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Dan Kilpatrick

Tottenham player ratings vs Manchester United: Yves Bissouma and James Maddison make Spurs purr

Tottenham kickstarted Ange Postecoglou's tenure with a hugely encouraging 2-0 win over Manchester United in the Australian's first home game in charge.

Pape Matar Sarr finished from close range at the start of the second half and Spurs piled on the pressure before substitute Ben Davies clinched a memorable victory late on, with a helping toe from Lisandro Martinez.

Dan Kilpatrick was in north London to rate Postecoglou's players...

Guglielmo Vicario 8

Denied Marcus Rashford the opener with a smart stop and made an acrobatic save from Casemiro's header at 1-0 and again for a Raphael Varane header in injury time.

Pedro Porro 8

Initially uncomfortable with and without the ball but grew into the game superbly. A threat going forward and helped to make Sarr's goal. Also thumped a shot off the underside of the bar at 0-0.

Cristian Romero 8

Made some important interventions defensively and was excellent at playing out with the ball. Might have both won and conceded a penalty on another day.

Micky van de Ven 8

Given a tough examination by Rashford but more than held his own in another encouraging display. Looks the part.

Destiny Udogie 8

Forced a save from Onana in the first half and relished the tussle with Anthony. Has taken to English football like a duck to water and earned a standing ovation.

Yves Bissouma 9

Outstanding again at the base of the midfield. Resisted United's press and drove forward with the ball confidently, while full of lovely skill in the final third. A backheeled flick through Casemiro's legs was the highlight.

Pape Sarr 8

Reacted quickest to finish superbly into the roof of the net. Covered every inch of turf and earned a well-deserved standing ovation.

(Getty Images)

James Maddison 9

Made Spurs tick and was at the heart of the majority of their best moves, including the second goal. So silky with the ball at his feet and can pick a pass.

Dejan Kulusevski 8

Made the opening goal with a great burst to the byline. Got in plenty of great positions down the right, although his final ball was mixed in the first half.

Heung-min Son 7

Stretched United and was a threat when cutting inside, seeing a goal-bound effort blocked by Luke Shaw. Made a chance for Sarr with a cleverly disguised pass.

Richarlison 5

Threw himself about willingly but struggled to make inroads against United's defence and did not managed a shot. Still feels a way from excelling in his role.

Subs

Ben Davies (Udogie 70') 7

Clinched the game with one of the scruffiest finishes of all-time. But credit for being in the right place, even if it went down as a Lisandro Martinez own goal.

Ivan Perisic (Richarlison 70') 7

Made the clincher with a super pass into Davies, underlining his precision in the final third.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Sarr 75') 7

Played with confidence to help Spurs see out a big win.

Manor Solomon (Kulusevski 88') N/A

Emerson Royal (Porro 88') N/A

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