Sir Alex Ferguson saluted his team's composure and killer
instinct after United came from behind once again to beat Tottenham
Hotspur at White Hart Lane.
Jermain Defoe's stunning
goal for Spurs after just 50 seconds wasn't the only blow to the
champions - later, the Reds lost the services of Paul Scholes when he
was harshly shown a second yellow card. But despite playing for more
than half an hour with ten men, United wrapped up the win when Wayne
Rooney scored on the counter-attack to make it 3-1.
"Wayne's goal came at a great time, it killed the game for us," reflected Sir Alex.
"We
were under the cosh with the ten men and had to defend really well. We
had some good counter-attacking play and the third goal finished the
game."
Entering the game with maximum points, Tottenham quickly set United a test by taking that lightning lead through Defoe.
"I
think it was always going to be a hard game," said Sir Alex. "Spurs are
in great form at the moment and they got off to a fantastic start by
scoring in the first minute.
"It was a marvellous finish from
Defoe but it was early in the game and there were still ninety minutes
to play. We had to gather our game and show our composure and I thought
our football was fantastic."
After Ryan Giggs equalised from a
free-kick, United went 2-1 up through a rare source as Anderson scored
his first competitive goal for the Reds in 78 appearances.
"I hope that drives him on to get more because he's capable of that," said the manager.
"He hasn't played a lot of games but he's part of a squad, we have so
many midfield players and we have to rotate it at various times in the
season and Anderson will play his part. He had a marvellous performance
for us today."
The only blemish on a brilliant evening for United was the red card for Scholes.
"It was a terrible sending off," complained by Sir Alex.
"I
think the referee (Andre Marriner) got it wrong. Scholes clearly lifted
his leg above the player. I think the Tottenham player's done him, I
think he (Tom Huddlestone) should have been punished.
"I've
looked at it twice on the video and I can't see a sending-off in that.
I think he was sent off because his name's Paul Scholes."