1 Game-plan and shape
Spurs' super start to the season has reflected a settled shape, but Luka Modric's absence gave Harry Redknapp a dilemma, and it was a surprise that Robbie Keane moved from his central position. Peter Crouch's inclusion meant a different type of delivery from wide areas would be required. Past personal experience made me doubt this choice. I had wrestled with the Defoe, Keane and Freddie Kanouté dilemma and know that three into two do not go easily, and that Keane doesn't relish the wider role. It might have been a game for David Bentley's inclusion.
2 Tactical awareness
Although Crouch continually caused problems with his aerial flicks from central positions, Spurs did not get their full-backs forward into the middle third to replicate their early goal and exploit the clear advantage the England striker showed against Nemanja Vidic. At times, Wilson Palacios was the lone Spurs threat to the quick inter-passing of United as the first half progressed, but he was given a yellow card and started to tire. Tottenham found difficulty progressing to high positions down the left side, where the prodigious work rate of Darren Fletcher helped nullify any possible threat.
3Did their plan succeed?
United were speedy hustlers when they lost possession and chased Tottenham early, stopping their passing angles. With Patrice Evra sacrificing cover to get extra tight on Aaron Lennon, they cleverly discouraged passes to that area. Crouch did not get the diagonal service required until late in the game, while Keane on the left failed to penetrate. Paul Scholes and Anderson, linking with the cunning Dimitar Berbatov and Wayne Rooney, held sway in midfield.
4 Major dangers
Carlo Cudicini looked solid and was a competent last line, quickly out of the blocks to snaffle passes played beyond Ledley King and Sébastien Bassong. Palacios again showed his value to the side, fighting a losing battle to halt United's midfield movement. Crouch will now give Redknapp a dilemma as he showed an ascendancy over the strong United defence in the air which Tottenham failed to exploit. The left-back Benoît Assou-Ekotto has settled well, defending more cautiously but breaking sensibly.
5 Possible weaknesses
When United's midfield snapped the ball around and Berbatov and Rooney linked play, Tottenham struggled to get tight and close the space. Tom Huddlestone was ineffective when the ball was being played around quickly, although he was influential when in possession. Rarely could Tottenham use the speed of Lennon as Evra sat tight on him and sacrificed cover. The new England star needed to seek the ball rather than wait for it to come to him.
Read the Guardian, Observer and minute-by-minute reports of the game
