Carlos Tevez saves United

Tottenham 1 United 1

CARLOS Tevez struck in the dying seconds to rescue a point for Manchester United against Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

Dimitar Berbatov had put Spurs ahead in controversial circumstances after just 20 minutes but despite piling on second-half pressure, it took until the final minute for the Reds to produce an equaliser.

The draw means Arsenal end the day at the top of the Premier League after their win at City.

United players were furious at Berbatov’s opener for Tottenham as they felt Jermaine Jenas handled in the build-up before Aaron Lennon eventually crossed.

Edwin van der Sar vented his frustration at assistant referee Mo Matadar and earned a booking, one of six yellow cards for United which means they could face action from the Football Association.

In-form Cristiano Ronaldo was one of those booked just before the half-hour mark for his reaction to being penalised for handball, with Mark Clattenburg showing zero-tolerance on dissent.

Lennon’s corners were causing United problems, Michael Dawson almost getting on the end of one only for Vidic to clear, and Berbatov heading wide from another.

Berbatov also volleyed over when he met a Lennon cross first time after Huddlestone’s vision had created the attack.

United were looking to move through the gears and Ronaldo headed wide when found free from a Wayne Rooney cross. Their frustration was illustrated by Wes Brown’s booking for a late tackle on Pascal Chimbonda.

Patrice Evra wanted a penalty in the final stages of the half when challenged by Lennon but Clattenburg awarded a corner. Hargreaves was booked for handling as Spurs broke when the set-piece broke down.

Ryan Giggs got on the end of a Ronaldo free-kick before the break but Radek Cerny did not have to move to make the save.

After the break, Cerny was also required to cut out a dangerous Ronaldo cross as Tevez looked to pounce, and Nemanja Vidic headed over after Spurs failed to clear a corner.

At the other end, Tom Huddlestone’s long-range effort dipped wide.

Keane was also sent through by Berbatov but his finish lacked power and Van der Sar claimed.

Ferguson responded by taking off his veterans, Paul Scholes and Giggs, for his youngsters signed in the summer. Nani and Anderson came on as United went for all-out attack.

Steed Malbranque had a shot straight at Van der Sar and Spurs also had a penalty shout when they felt Evra handled.

Cerny palmed Anderson’s drive around the post, while Rooney was booked for diving.

Deep in injury-time, United rescued a point when Tevez bundled the ball in the net after a corner.

Tottenham assistant manager Gus Poyet:
"We are disappointed they scored so late but we knew we needed to score that second goal to kill it off.

"When you don't score the second it is hard to defend and unless you do it for 90 minutes, you will get punished.

"But we work, we have understanding, confidence and they are all learning. We are slowly becoming a good team."

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson:
"We had seven booked but my problem is with the referee.

"Ronaldo is hacked down, but Jermaine Jenas gets nothing. Then Wayne Rooney is booked for diving, Tom Huddlestone dives and is not booked. It's chaos.

"I must say, Spurs were very good and must take credit. They are on the up, Juande Ramos has done a fantastic job."

Tottenham: Cerny, Chimbonda, Dawson, Woodgate, Hutton, Lennon (Boateng 79), Jenas, Huddlestone, Malbranque, Berbatov, Keane (O'Hara 90).
Subs Not Used: Robinson, Lee, Taarabt.

Booked: Woodgate, Huddlestone, Cerny.

Goals: Berbatov 21.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo, Hargreaves (Carrick 46), Scholes (Anderson 60), Giggs (Nani 60), Rooney, Tevez.
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, O'Shea.

Booked: Van der Sar, Ronaldo, Brown, Nani, Vidic, Rooney, Tevez.

Goals: Tevez 90.

Att: 36,075.

Ref: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear).