Manchester United's season is up and running after Nani's spectacular goal gave Sir Alex Ferguson's champions a 1-0 victory over Tottenham in a controversial game on Sunday.
Tottenham manager Martin Jol, whose long-term position at White Hart Lane has been called into question, saw his side have two strong second-half penalty appeals turned down by referee Howard Webb when the game was goalless.
United defender Nemanja Vidic looked to have fouled striker Dimitar Berbatov in the 63rd minute and moments later Berbatov was at the centre of more high drama when his goal-bound effort appeared to be blocked by Wes Brown. Spurs claimed Brown used his hand to keep out Berbatov yet Webb waved away both appeals.
Tottenham were better throughout at Old Trafford yet they were undone when Nani beat England keeper Paul Robinson from 30 yards in the 68th minute to earn United their first victory of the season.
Starting the day one off the bottom of the table after two points from the first three games, United desperately required a confident start yet they were fortunate not to fall behind inside the opening minute as Robbie Keane hit the bar with an ambitious lob from outside the area. Paul Scholes and Owen Hargreaves went close for United but Robinson was forced into just one serious save before the break in his first match since his costly error for England four days earlier against Germany. With England coach Steve McClaren looking on, Robinson produced a flying stop to deny his international team-mate Rio Ferdinand yet that was the closest United went as Tottenham carved out the better chances in the first half.
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