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Summary Manchester United defeated Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 in the Premier League.
Manchester United kept the pressure on Premier League leaders Manchester City as Ashley Youngs superb double inspired a 3-1 win against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.On the day Andre Villas-Boas was sacked by Chelsea, Sir Alex Fergusons second-placed side moved to within two points of table-topping City after a ruthless display of finishing at White Hart Lane.United survived a strong showing from Spurs in the first half and took the lead through Wayne Rooneys header just before the break.Young bagged the second with a powerful volley from a tight angle and then put the result beyond doubt with a stunning curling effort from outside the area.Jermain Defoe reduced the deficit late on but third-placed Spurs have now lost their last two league games and are just four points ahead of resurgent Arsenal.Ferguson felt United were fortunate to win and said: I dont know how you explain it. We certainly carried a lot of luck.Spurs, without Gareth Bale through illness, injured Rafael van der Vaart and suspended Scott Parker, were denied a first-half opener when Emmanuel Adebayors close-range effort was disallowed for a handball by the Togo striker.United took full advantage of that let-off to take the lead themselves as Rooney got in front of Kyle Walker to head in Youngs corner on the stroke of half-time.Young got the second in the 60th minute as he lashed in a volley after Walker failed to clear Nanis cross and the England winger struck again nine minutes later, bending a fine finish past Brad Friedel as the Spurs defence backed off.Defoe pounced on a wayward Ryan Giggs pass to lash home for the hosts in the 87th minute but it was no consolation for Harry Redknapps side.In the days other games, Newcastle United drew 1-1 with local rivals Sunderland and Fulham routed struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers 5-0.
