EPL: De Ligt snatches late equaliser for Man United after Spurs’ dramatic turnaround

Matthijs de Ligt scored deep into stoppage time to salvage a point for Manchester United in a tense Premier League clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The Red Devils looked set to suffer another painful defeat to Spurs under Ruben Amorim after late goals from Mathys Tel and Richarlison overturned Bryan Mbeumo’s first-half header.

But De Ligt’s 96th-minute header from a Bruno Fernandes corner ensured United stretched their unbeaten run to five matches.

Drab first half sees Mbeumo break the deadlock

The match began with chaos as United goalkeeper Senne Lammens miscontrolled a backpass, conceding a corner within the opening minute.

That early scare set the tone for a sluggish first half dominated by misplaced passes and wasted chances.

Both sides struggled for possession, and despite Spurs’ electric midweek win over FC Copenhagen, Thomas Frank’s men looked uninspired.

His decision to bench Destiny Udogie and Wilson Odobert in favour of Djed Spence and Richarlison raised eyebrows, and it showed.

United capitalised on Spurs’ hesitancy in the 32nd minute. Pape Sarr failed to clear his lines, allowing Amad Diallo to recycle possession and find Bryan Mbeumo, who headed home to give United the lead.

Spurs fans responded with boos at halftime as their side registered just 0.07 expected goals in the opening 45 minutes.

Frank’s substitutions shift things

Spurs returned from the break with renewed intensity after Frank introduced Odobert for Randal Kolo Muani. The change paid immediate dividends as the home side pressed relentlessly.

Cristian Romero tested Lammens with a flicked header, while Joao Palhinha drew another fine save from the Belgian keeper. Brennan Johnson thought he had equalised soon after, but his strike was ruled offside following Richarlison’s mistimed pass.

United retreated deeper as Spurs pressed higher, and their resistance finally broke when substitute Mathys Tel controlled Udogie’s cross and fired home to make it 1–1.

Moments later, the stadium erupted when Richarlison flicked in Odobert’s effort to give Spurs a 2–1 lead in the 90th minute, seemingly sealing the win.

De Ligt rescues United at the death

Just when defeat appeared certain, United’s persistence paid off. In the sixth minute of stoppage time, Bruno Fernandes delivered a pinpoint corner, and De Ligt rose highest to head home and silence the home crowd.

The dramatic draw extends United’s unbeaten streak to five matches, while Spurs will rue their missed opportunity to claim a statement victory against their old rivals.