Pape Matar Sarr finished from close range at the start of the second half and Spurs piled on the pressure before substitute Ben Davies clinched a memorable victory late on, with a helping toe from Lisandro Martinez.

Dan Kilpatrick was in north London to rate Postecoglou’s players…

Guglielmo Vicario 8

Denied Marcus Rashford the opener with a smart stop and made an acrobatic save from Casemiro’s header at 1-0 and again for a Raphael Varane header in injury time.

Pedro Porro 8

Initially uncomfortable with and without the ball but grew into the game superbly. A threat going forward and helped to make Sarr’s goal. Also thumped a shot off the underside of the bar at 0-0.

Cristian Romero 8

Made some important interventions defensively and was excellent at playing out with the ball. Might have both won and conceded a penalty on another day.

Micky van de Ven 8

Given a tough examination by Rashford but more than held his own in another encouraging display. Looks the part.

Destiny Udogie 8

Forced a save from Onana in the first half and relished the tussle with Anthony. Has taken to English football like a duck to water and earned a standing ovation.

Yves Bissouma 9

Outstanding again at the base of the midfield. Resisted United’s press and drove forward with the ball confidently, while full of lovely skill in the final third. A backheeled flick through Casemiro’s legs was the highlight.

Pape Sarr 8

Reacted quickest to finish superbly into the roof of the net. Covered every inch of turf and earned a well-deserved standing ovation.

James Maddison 9

Made Spurs tick and was at the heart of the majority of their best moves, including the second goal. So silky with the ball at his feet and can pick a pass.

Dejan Kulusevski 8

Made the opening goal with a great burst to the byline. Got in plenty of great positions down the right, although his final ball was mixed in the first half.

Heung-min Son 7

Stretched United and was a threat when cutting inside, seeing a goal-bound effort blocked by Luke Shaw. Made a chance for Sarr with a cleverly disguised pass.

Richarlison 5

Threw himself about willingly but struggled to make inroads against United’s defence and did not managed a shot. Still feels a way from excelling in his role.

Subs

Ben Davies (Udogie 70′) 7

Clinched the game with one of the scruffiest finishes of all-time. But credit for being in the right place, even if it went down as a Lisandro Martinez own goal.

Ivan Perisic (Richarlison 70′) 7

Made the clincher with a super pass into Davies, underlining his precision in the final third.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Sarr 75′) 7

Played with confidence to help Spurs see out a big win.

Manor Solomon (Kulusevski 88′) N/A

Emerson Royal (Porro 88′) N/A

Not used: Forster, Skipp, Sanchez, Lo Celso.