Brennan Johnson scored his fourth goal in four matches to put Tottenham ahead in the third minute of their Premier League trip to Manchester United on Sunday.
On the 200th appearance of his club career, Johnson was unmarked at the far post to sweep in following a dazzling run by Micky van de Ven on a day when Spurs were without inspirational forward Son Heung-min through injury.
Van de Ven collected a stray ball from Marcus Rashford inside his own half and charged more than half the length of the pitch, entering United’s box before sliding his delivery into Johnson’s path.
“Absolutely brilliant from Van de Ven,” former United captain Gary Neville told Sky Sports. “He drives through four Manchester United players. It’s amazing – brilliant.”
A lightning fast start from Tottenham ⚡
Micky van de Ven with an unbelievable run and he makes no mistake putting it on a plate for Brennan Johnson 💥 pic.twitter.com/8KubHjAm2U
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 29, 2024
Johnson goal vs United
Johnson scored in a fourth consecutive game in front of his father – former United, Bury, Ipswich Town and Nottingham Forest striker David Johnson.
A £47.5 million signing from Forest in September 2023, Johnson almost had a second less than 20 minutes later when his diagonal shot from inside the penalty area on the right came off the foot of the far post.
United, who had drawn their previous two games at Crystal Palace and at home to FC Twente, endured a miserable start, Tottenham having all of the first three attempts between the teams.
Tottenham only the width of the post away from doubling their lead 🤏 pic.twitter.com/ZoebvblB0c
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 29, 2024
Son injury: Spurs ‘must cope’
Manager Erik ten Hag said that centre-back Harry Maguire had been left out with a knock, while his Spurs counterpart, Ange Postecoglou, explained that Son was out because of an issue the South Korea captained sustained during the 3-0 win at home to Qarabag in the Europa League on Thursday.
“He just wasn’t right for today so we go in there without him,” said Postecoglou, who brought German forward Timo Werner into his starting lineup.
“We’ve had to suffer those sort of things a fair bit during my time here, key players missing out. We have to learn to cope without him.”
“We have plenty of players who are very good finishers” 👊
Erik ten Hag has no doubts Manchester United will find their finishing touch 🤝 pic.twitter.com/67JehAsFsN
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 29, 2024
Premier League table
Spurs and United started the day on seven points, knowing that victory would lift them to eighth, five points behind leaders Manchester City.
United have failed to win any of their last four matches when conceding first in the Premier League, last turning the scoreline around in that situation against Sheffield United, who were relegated, in April.
