A second goal was required, but nobody could have foreseen the bizarre circumstances in which it arrived with six minutes remaining. Nani latched onto Brown's delightful clipped pass and was apparently tripped by Assou-Ekotto. As the Stretford End bayed for a penalty and Nani stopped the ball with his hand, referee Clattenburg waved play to continue.
Prompted by Nani's clear offence, Gomes grounded the ball as if to take a free-kick. Once Nani had curtailed his appeals to Clattenburg, he noticed the ball - motionless but in open play - and looked to the referee, who gestured to play on. The winger duly did so, placing a finish under the scrambling dive of Gomes. Tottenham protested long, loud and in vain as an impromptu conference between Clattenburg and his linesman concluded that the goal should stand.
Nani almost put the seal on victory with a spectacular third goal in injury-time, but his fizzing left-footed drive bounced away off the top of the crossbar. The majority of the headlines had already been grabbed by his bizarre tap-in, which will overshadow a fine personal display, and an absolutely vital victory for United, who have now won back-to-back Premier
