MX23RW : Monday, November 25 00:02:12| >> :120:11268:11268:

Kyle Walker own goal hands Manchester United winning start to new season

A first-half own goal from Kyle Walker gives Manchester United a winning start to the new Premier League season with a 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur.

An own goal from Kyle Walker in the first half has handed Manchester United a 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford in the first match of the new Premier League season.

Kyle Walker (L) of Tottenham Hotspur kicks the ball resulting in the own goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on August 8, 2015© Getty Images

The visitors made a bright start to the match as Harry Kane played the ball forward for Christian Eriksen, who could not keep his finish down, before the striker put the ball behind a few minutes later.

Despite Tottenham's bright start, it was the home side who broke the deadlock when Ashley Young put Wayne Rooney in, only for Walker to mistime a clearance and tap the ball into his own net, making it the first time in the Premier League's 23-year history that the first goal of the campaign is an own goal.

Juan Mata had a couple of chances to double the lead of Louis van Gaal's side before the break, but a free kick from the Spaniard failed to clear the wall before he drove an effort wide soon after.

The home side continued to dominate early in the second half as Memphis Depay got a shot away, but he could only drill his left-footed finish over the bar.

Sergio Romero had to remain alert down the other end in the United goal as Eriksen delivered a dangerous-looking cross for the visitors, but the keeper got to it before any of the Dane's teammates could connect with it.

The home fans got to welcome new signing Bastian Schweinsteiger for his first appearance in a competitive fixture for the club since his arrival from Bayern Munich, with the German replacing Michael Carrick with 30 minutes to go.

Bastian Schweinsteiger of Manchester United high fives with his team mate Michael Carrick during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on August 8, 2015© Getty Images

Chances remained few and far between for much of the second half, but Rooney had a chance to get on the scoresheet inside the final 20 minutes as he watched a cross come in from Ander Herrera, but the captain's finish was lacking.

Spurs started to show more intent in the final 10 minutes as they pushed for a late equaliser, but Toby Alderweireld's delivery in for Eriksen was comfortably saved by Romero.

Eriksen had a chance to make amends as he found himself clear through on goal again with just two minutes to play, but the midfielder found himself denied by a diving save from the Argentine keeper.

Tottenham continued to pile forward in stoppage time as they desperately sought a goal of their own, but Dele Alli - who came off the bench for his first Premier League appearance - Kane and Eriksen all failed too convert, allowing the hosts to hang on for the narrow win.

ID:238035: cacheID:238035:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6348:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Manchester United's Dutch midfielder Memphis Depay (2nd R) celebrates with Manchester United's English striker Wayne Rooney (R) after United take the lead due to an own goal from Tottenham Hotspur's English defender Kyle Walker (L) during the English Prem
Read Next:
Half-Time Report: Kyle Walker own goal gives Man Utd lead
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
OT
Vikings
30-27
Bears
FT
Lions
24-6
Colts
FT
Patriots
15-34
Dolphins
FT
Buccaneers
30-7
Giants
FT
Chiefs
30-27
Panthers
FT
Titans
32-27
Texans
FT
Cowboys
34-26
Washington
9.05pm
Broncos
@
Raiders
9.25pm
49ers
@
Packers
9.25pm
Cardinals
@
Seahawks
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!