Manchester United 1 Tottenham Hotspur 0

A second-half stunner from Nani gave Manchester United their first Barclays Premier League win of the season.


Nani breathed fresh life into Manchester United's ailing Barclays Premier League title defence as he rasped home a blistering second-half winner to beat Tottenham Hotspur.

The Portugal star had been one of a number of inconsistent performers for the hosts against a Spurs outfit who hit the bar through Robbie Keane, saw one Dimitar Berbatov effort cleared off the line by Rio Ferdinand and a fierce penalty appeal for handball against Wes Brown turned down.

But, just as it seemed United would lose more ground in their battle to keep pace with table-toppers Chelsea, Nani unleashed a brutal 30-yard effort which gave under-fire England keeper Paul Robinson no chance.

Dimitar Berbatov was a surprise inclusion for Tottenham as Martin Jol looked to put a week of misery behind him by beating Manchester United at Old Trafford. Berbatov was expected to miss out with a thigh strain but replaced new signing Darren Bent in a Spurs line-up that also contained debutant full-back Gareth Bale.

Without a win in three games so far and unhappily perched in second bottom slot, United were desperate for three points.

But, despite dominating possession, the hosts came closer to conceding than scoring, Robbie Keane chipping against the bar inside the opening 20 seconds with Edwin van der Sar beaten.

blazed over

With England coach Steve McClaren watching on, Paul Robinson was looking to impress, although the Spurs keeper was not troubled by a Ryan Giggs volley that flew well over after Nani had nodded Owen Hargreaves' long ball into the Welshman's path.

Bale, starting on the left of Tottenham's midfield, broke up a threatening United attack and darted 80 yards downfield to win a corner off Rio Ferdinand. Pascal Chimbonda got his head to the set piece but his effort bounced narrowly wide as Anthony Gardner closed in.

More uncertainty in the United area ended when Ricardo Rocha blazed over, then Ferdinand's hesitation almost proved fatal as Berbatov stole in behind him and Nemanja Vidic needed to throw himself in the way of the Tottenham man's shot.

The hosts countered immediately and Hargreaves' shot deflected into Ferdinand's path but Robinson pulled off a fine save to deny his England team-mate. Michael Carrick then came close to breaking the deadlock with a fizzing 25-yard drive which whizzed past Robinson's left-hand post.

fierce protests

Spurs were on the back foot, although they did break forward long enough for Tom Huddlestone to try his luck from 20 yards. The England Under-21 international never got hold of the shot properly and it bobbled harmlessly wide.

United came very close to falling behind as Berbatov rose first after a penalty box tangle with Vidic and prodded the ball through Van der Sar's legs. It seemed certain his effort would roll over the line but in the nick of time, Ferdinand arrived to clear.

Spurs then had a penalty appeal turned down as Berbatov beat Vidic, then got a break of the ball off Van der Sar before powering his shot goalwards. TV replays showed the ball struck Wes Brown on the chest. Berbatov thought otherwise and led the fierce protests as referee Howard Webb waved them away.

Nani might have been a frustrating presence in the United side but he provided the inspiration which saw them take the lead. Picking up a loose ball 30 yards out, the teenager let fly with a thunderous shot which appeared to flick off Tevez's back before flying into the roof of Robinson's goal.

Spurs charged forward looking for an equaliser but it would not come, allowing United to breathe a massive sigh of relief.