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Tottenham twice fight back to deny Manchester United victory in front of Sir Jim Ratcliffe

Tottenham came from behind twice to draw 2-2 and deny Manchester United victory in front of the watching Sir Jim Ratcliffe at Old Trafford.

Rasmus Hojlund put Erik ten Hag's team in front with a powerful early effort but Richarlison headed in the first equaliser and though Marcus Rashford restored United's advantage, Rodrigo Bentancur levelled again at the start of the second half.

Scott McTominay headed over in stoppage time but neither side could find a winner in an entertaining affair that showcased Ange Postecoglou's passing game and the pace of the home team on the counter-attack. The draw moves United up two places to seventh. Spurs miss the chance to overtake Arsenal and stay fifth.

How it played out at Old Trafford

Ratcliffe, whose partial takeover is expected to go through next month, was treated to a fast start and a spectacular strike as Hojlund lit up Old Trafford with a fierce finish into the roof of the net. Rashford had been crowded out. Hojlund's hit was emphatic.

Tottenham's response was impressive, Jonny Evans flicking debutant Timo Werner's header wide and Diogo Dalot was required to clear Bentancur's header off the line. The equaliser did come when Richarlison nodded in Pedro Porro's left-wing corner.

The template was set by that stage - Spurs dominating possession, United threatening on the counter-attack. It made for a thrilling game. Still in the first half, Destiny Udogie headed Rashford's cross against his own post before United took the lead once more.

Rashford's clever one-two with Hojlund outmanoeuvred Porro and the finish, low into the far corner, was too good for Guglielmo Vicario. There was time for Cristian Romero to head against the bar from another Porro corner before the half-time whistle.

Spurs needed no encouragement to believe they were still in it - it was that kind of game. And Bentancur levelled it within a minute of the restart, with Ten Hag yet to take his seat. Werner's centre was collected smartly and dispatched high into Andre Onana's net.

Manchester United have never lost a Premier League game at Old Trafford when leading at half-time but that record was at risk as Tottenham chased a third. Ten Hag brought McTominay on, seeking dynamism, while Lisandro Martinez made his return.

But the expected grandstand finish did not quite emerge. McTominay spurned the clearest opportunity, heading Alejandro Garnacho's cross over the bar when unmarked. The supporters at Old Trafford are hoping for much more once Ratcliffe's impact is felt.


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Seko Fofana gave the Elephants the perfect start in the Group A clash in Abidjan when he blasted home from just inside the area in the fourth minute.

He almost doubled the lead before half-time but another powerful effort was tipped on to the bar by Ouparine Djoco.

Jean-Philippe Krasso hooked in the second after the break after some smart control under pressure in the box.

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The Elephants, looking for their third continental triumph after wins in 1992 and 2015, had to begin their bid for glory without first-choice striker Sebastien Haller because of injury.

But midfielder Fofana broke the deadlock early on after being fed by Franck Kessie, skipping past a couple of defenders and sending his powerful right-footed strike inside the right-hand upright.

Mama Balde spurned Guinea-Bissau's best chance in the first half, scuffing his effort when played into the box, and only a smart save by Djoco kept the score at 1-0 after the impressive Fofana latched on to a cut-back from the right.

Krasso doubled the lead after showing great skill to juggle the ball and then swivelling and hooking in a left-footed shot from eight yards out in the 58th minute.

Substitute Franculino fired straight at Ivorian keeper Yahia Fofana in the final 20 minutes but the Djurtus, who have qualified for a fourth consecutive Afcon, could not score and are still awaiting their first win at the finals.

Nigeria face Equatorial Guinea at 14:00 GMT on Sunday in the second Group A match, while 2021 runners-up Egypt and four-time champions Ghana will also be in action later in the day as Group B commences.

 

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