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.