1-2 v Manchester United - 21 December 2003 - Home

Manchester United moved one point clear of Arsenal and Chelsea at the summit of the Premiership after a comfortable win against Tottenham.

John O'Shea opened the scoring and Ruud van Nistelrooy doubled the tally as United took control before half-time.

Gustavo Poyet buoyed the crowd with a second-half goal but United continued to threaten and deserved their win.

United, who lined up with Rio Ferdinand in the team, might have scored more but for some poor finishing.

It took United just two minutes to signal their intent.

Giggs deftly guided Gary Neville's drilled cross across the face of Kasey Keller's goal but the ball drifted inches wide with the Spurs goalkeeper beaten.

Van Nistelrooy sprung the offside trap 10 minutes later but, after a heavy touch took the ball wide, Keller saved his powerful strike from a tight angle.

But United did not have to wait long for a goal.

O'Shea ran across the Spurs defence and flicked home Darren Fletcher's corner with the outside of his right boot.

Spurs almost immediately equalised after a hopeful punt forward caught the United defence cold but Robbie Keane's header lacked power and was easily saved.

And Tim Howard had to make an excellent save to stop Gustavo Poyet's low drive as Spurs pushed for an equaliser.

But United's attacking verve soon produced another goal.

Giggs played Van Nistelrooy through and the Dutch striker struck the ball past Keller with the help of a deflection off Anthony Gardner.

Tottenham's defensive weaknesses were exposed again by Giggs, who ran through the Spurs' backline before shooting at Keller, who comfortably saved.

Stephane Dalmat tried to force Tottenham's way back into the contest with a series of venomous drives, but United closed down quickly and blocked effectively.

And the visitors continued to unpick Spurs' flaky defence with crisp one-touch football.

Van Nistelrooy should have doubled his tally after 55 minutes but shot across goal and wide.

Spurs hauled their way back into the contest with Poyet's goal.

Dalmat knocked Paul Konchesky's deep cross into the United six-yard box and Poyet belied his advancing years, reacting first to stab the ball home.

Howard got a hand to it but the ball went in off the post.

Keane almost levelled but did not quite connect cleanly with his acrobatic overhead volley from Dalmat's superbly weighted through ball and his effort drifted wide.

Substitute Rohan Ricketts tried to defeat Howard with minutes left, but angle was ambitious and the United goalkeeper comfortably saved.