MANCHESTER: Antony Martial came off the bench to earn Manchester United their first Premier League win in three matches, beating fellow title-chasers Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Having lost for the first time in the Premier League this season at Huddersfield a week ago, United needed a victory to keep the pressure on leader Manchester City, which can re-establish a five-point lead with victory at West Bromwich Albion later on Saturday.
Spurs struggled without leading scorer Harry Kane, who missed the game with a hamstring injury, but almost held out until United's sustained pressure told 10 minutes from the end.
Despite the absence of Kane, United skipper Jose Mourinho's respect for Tottenham was evident in his team selection as he deployed three central defenders, matching the visitors' formation.
The sides cancelled each other out for much of the first half with United coming closest through Marcus Rashford's free kick, which Hugo Lloris did well to tip around the post.
United emerged with greater intent after halftime and was only prevented from taking the lead in the 55th minute by a fine clearance by Ben Davies after Lloris spilled Henrikh Mkhitaryan's effort.
The home side continued to press and Antonio Valencia came close shortly after the hour-mark as his half-volley rose just above the Tottenham crossbar.
After a raft of substitutions from both managers the game appeared to be petering out, but the best action was saved until last.
With 13 minutes to go, the significance of Kane's absence was shown when Dele Alli missed Spurs' best chance of the game as he failed to volley Christian Eriksen's inch-perfect cross on target from just six yards out.
Within two minutes United almost took the lead at the other end as Romelu Lukaku headed Jesse Lingard's cross onto the post, before the deadlock was finally broken in the 81st minute.
Lukaku's head was crucial once more as he directed David De Gea's clearance into the path of substitute Martial, who sent his shot across Lloris and into the bottom corner.
