Christian Eriksen has scored the second-fastest goal in Premier League history to help Tottenham Hotspur to a 2-0 win over Manchester United in Wednesday’s game at Wembley Stadium.
The Dane – who was making his first appearance in 18 days – netted after just 11 seconds, before Phil Jones put through his own net before half time to give Spurs a deserved three points in North London.
United under-performed as they lost their six-game run of clean sheets, but both teams received a boost with news that Chelsea had lost at home to Bournemouth.
All eyes were on Alexis Sanchez when the game kicked off in North London but attention soon switched to Eriksen, who was celebrating a goal after capitalising on Harry Kane’s flick on and Dele Alli’s deflected pass finding him in the penalty area before he slotted into the far corner after 10.4 seconds.
United almost netted an immediate equaliser through Jesse Lingard, with Hugo Lloris coming out well to make the block, and the game continued at a ferocious pace without many clear-cut chances being created.
However, Spurs were slowly getting on top and moments after Alli had volleyed wide from 14 yards, a second goal arrived via the boot of United defender Jones, who diverted Kieran Trippier’s cross inside David de Gea’s near post from eight yards out.
Soon after the goal, Anthony Martial forced a smart save out of Lloris from an acute angle but as the first half approached a conclusion, it was Spurs who looked most likely to add another.
Eric Dier headed over the crossbar after meeting an Eriksen free kick, while Kane sent an effort off target after receiving the ball behind the United defence.
Just after the hour mark, Mourinho introduced Marouane Fellaini for Paul Pogba but the alteration only led to Spurs looking more likely to add a third, with Eriksen firing marginally wide of the post from distance and Kane scuffing an effort too close to De Gea.
Within 10 minutes, Mourinho decided to withdraw Fellaini – with the Belgian showing no sign of any injury and heading straight down the tunnel – with Ander Herrera being thrown on in his place.
The change did not help the visitors as Spurs continued to create opportunities at will, with Kane twice missing the target and Dier seeing a curling effort deflected wide of the post.
Kane continued to search for his 100th Premier League goal during the closing stages but while the forward endured a frustrating night, his side were able to move to within five points of second-placed United in the standings.