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December 29, 2014

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Lloris soars as Spurs hold United

Source: Agencies | December 29, 2014, Monday | Print Edition

TOTTENHAM Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris inspired his team to a feisty 0-0 draw with Manchester United in the Premier League’s early game yesterday.

Spurs survived a wave of early pressure and threatened to end United’s eight-match unbeaten run in the closing stages as tempers flared at White Hart Lane in London.

“They had a great first half but we stayed in the game because we were strong defensively,” man-of-the-match Lloris told BT Sport. “The spirit was great.”

United, which had won seven of its last eight games, stayed third in the table, nine points behind leader Chelsea, and Tottenham remained sixth.

“We lost two points. We had the best performance of the season in the first half and could have scored four or five goals,” United manager Louis van Gaal said. “We were fantastic. But when you don’t score goals you cannot win. The second half was a struggle.”

The visitors, who named an unchanged starting line-up for the first time in 85 matches, dominated the first half.

Frenchman Lloris made a fine diving save to tip over Ashley Young’s fierce curling shot and Phil Jones had a close-range effort correctly ruled out for offside.

The influential Juan Mata’s deflected free kick also crashed against the post and Robin van Persie should have scored after running on to a sublime pass from Michael Carrick but Lloris blocked his tame shot.

Referee Jon Moss brandished six yellow cards and Spurs nearly sneaked victory eight minutes from time when midfielder Ryan Mason blazed the ball over after good hold-up play from Harry Kane.

Chelsea will look to defend its three-point advantage at the top of the table later yesterday when it visits fourth-place Southampton. Second-place Manchester City hosts second-bottom Burnley.

Meanwhile, Sunderland coach Gus Poyet has hit out at the Premier League’s jam-packed festive fixture schedule, branding the arrangement “a disgrace” in comments published by several British newspapers yesterday.

Following a full program of matches on Friday, all 20 top-flight clubs were playing again yesterday and today, with another round of games scheduled for New Year’s Day.

Poyet’s side won 1-0 at Newcastle United last weekend before losing 1-3 at home to Hull City on Friday and ahead of yesterday’s trip to Aston Villa, he warned that his players were struggling to cope.

“We shouldn’t be playing on the 28th,” said the Uruguayan, who represented Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur during his player career and previously coached Brighton and Hove Albion.

“I’ve been in England for a long time and I know that Boxing Day games are a tradition and I accept that and think we should maintain it. But I think that then playing on the 28th is a disgrace.”

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