A line of Scott McTominay’s post-match interview jumped out. In between him describing his two-goal injury-time match-winning magic as his “favourite moment on a football pitch” and how this could be a turning point for the struggling side, there was something of a statement.
“I’m just happy to contribute and show them that I can do it.”
Does he mean boss Erik ten Hag and his coaching staff, who had left him on the bench during the defeats to Crystal Palace and Galatasaray over the past week? Or the Man Utd supporters who spent the summer hoping for the arrival of midfield solutions from the transfer market?
Whatever McTominay’s motivation, it was also interesting to hear him crediting the Man Utd ethos of never giving up and how playing until the final whistle had been drilled into him since his journey began with United as a five-year-old.
The inevitability of a Fergie-time comeback win wasn’t the foremost feeling as United laboured to break down Brentford on Saturday. Indeed, the Kristoffer Ajer disallowed own goal felt like it would be the final act in another damaging defeat.
But McTominay has quality, despite what his detractors say. And when it is combined with a belief, conviction and determination to fight for the win until the very last second, that can be a dangerous prospect for any opponent at Old Trafford.
McTominay may just find himself with a more prominent role after the international break.
Peter Smith
Raheem Sterling didn’t just send the message to Gareth Southgate. He grabbed the biro, wrote the words himself, popped it in an envelope, walked to Southgate’s house, kicked open his front door and rammed it down the England manager’s throat. This was a performance full of intent. And dripping with world-class ability.
Sterling, despite being one of Southgate’s go-to guys and with 82 caps to his name, was overlooked for a second consecutive squad, with Jarrod Bowen and Eddie Nketiah now seemingly further ahead in the pecking order. This performance makes that decision look rather foolish.
Chelsea, a team so lacking with creativity for large chunks of recent football, turned to Sterling at every attack. His direct running and subsequent beating of his full-back was the driving force behind this latest classy Chelsea performance. He scored one and played major parts in all three other goals.
Sterling may have been ignored but he will not be forgotten.
Lewis Jones
The Tottenham players, in their all-grey changed strip, stood and applauded their fans in the Oak Road Stand at the final whistle. In many respects, Spurs had been off-colour for large spells of this frenetic encounter. But they found a way of winning, as they have done already on numerous occasions this term.
At home to Sheffield United and last weekend against Liverpool, they celebrated dramatic late wins. Even on the road, they have come from behind at Brentford, Burnley and Arsenal to claim points.
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