Review of the Year 2008

JANUARY

Manchester United leapfrog Arsenal at the top of the Barclays Premier League after four straight victories that includes a 6-0 rout of Newcastle United.

Sam Allardyce leaves Newcastle by mutual consent after less than eight months in the job and is replaced by Toon legend Kevin Keegan.Chelsea equal a club record of nine successive victories in all competitions with victory over Reading on the last weekend of the month. It keeps them in touch with Arsenal and United at the top.

Afonso Alves is the biggest transfer deadline day signing after Middlesbrough capture the Brazilian striker for a club record £12.7m. Other notable moves include Jermain Defoe joining Portsmouth from Tottenham Hotspur (£7.5m) and Benjani leaving Pompey for Manchester City (£3.8m).

Chelsea seal a £15m signing of Nicolas Anelka from Bolton Wanderers and Liverpool snap up Slovakian defender Martin Skrtel from Zenit St Petersburg for £6.5m. Portsmouth sign France midfielder Lassana Diarra from Arsenal. Tottenham swoop for England defender Jonathan Woodgate from Middlesbrough for a fee in the region of £7m.

FEBRUARY

Arsenal are dealt a blow to their title challenge with the loss of key striker Eduardo who breaks his leg in the 2-2 draw at Birmingham City. Man Utd lose ground on the Gunners after gaining just four points from three matches and Chelsea still harbour ambitions but gain just two points from two matches.

Manchester City defeat Manchester United 2-1 after a minute's silence to remember the Munich air disaster was observed impeccably by all spectators at Old Trafford.

Benjani Mwaruwari completes his £3.87m switch from Portsmouth to Manchester City after the Premier League sanctions the transfer. Tottenham Hotspur come back from a goal down to beat Chelsea 2-1 after extra-time to claim the Carling Cup.

MARCH

Arsenal end a disastrous month by plummeting from first to third as the Gunners collect just one win, three draws and defeat to rivals Chelsea in this month. United go clear at the top of the pile with five successes, while Chelsea keep up their pursuit for the title with a draw - an eight-goal thriller with Tottenham - and five wins that includes a 6-1 thrashing of Derby County.

Derby are relegated after their draw at home to Fulham and Birmingham City's win over Manchester City at St Andrews. The Rams become the first team in Premier League history to be relegated in March and ended the campaign with a record low points total of 11.

APRIL

Chelsea go level on points with United at the top of the league after a draw and four wins which included a brilliant 2-1 triumph over United at Stamford Bridge. With United gleaning just four points from a possible 12, it means the race for the Barclays Premier League goes down to the wire. With Arsenal out of the running, they ensure third place with a 6-2 hammering of Derby County.

Two wins for Fulham in the month gives their survival hopes a lift which includes victory over relegation rivals Reading who could only muster a solitary point in April. Bolton pick up two wins and a draw and Birmingham remain in the relegation zone after claiming just two points.

MAY

On the final day of the 2007/08 season, holders Manchester United seal the Barclays Premier League title with a 2-0 win at Wigan Athletic and championship rivals Chelsea can only draw 1-1 with Bolton Wanderers. It was United's tenth Premier League crown.

Birmingham City beat Blackburn Rovers 4-1 and Reading triumph 4-0 against but were both relegated in the last match of the campaign. Fulham survive after a 1-0 victory over Portsmouth to stay up on a goal difference of -22, compared to Reading's -25. Middlesbrough beat Manchester City 8-1 on the same final day which is the biggest success of the season.

Cristiano Ronaldo ends 2007/08 as the league's top scorer with 31 goals. The Barclays Premier League returns to the top of UEFA's official ranking list for the first time since 1985 after its clubs' performances in Europe. England are handed an extra spot in next season's UEFA Cup after coming first in Europe's fair play rankings.

Chelsea clinch the signing of Portugal right-back Jose Bosingwa from Porto for £16.2m. Portsmouth lift the FA Cup with a 1-0 triumph over Championship club Cardiff City. Manchester United calim the Champions League 6-5 on penalties after the final against Chelsea in Moscow ended up 1-1 following extra-time.

Avram Grant is sacked as manager of Chelsea after the Blues narrowly miss out on the Barclays Premier League and Champions League to Manchester United.

JUNE

Sven-Goran Eriksson leaves his post as Manchester City manager after just one season at the helm. Mark Hughes, who quit his job at Blackburn Rovers, replaces the former England manager at Eastlands. As part of the managerial merry-go-round Paul Ince is appointed as the new Rovers manager.

Seventeen-year-old midfielder Aaron Ramsey agrees to join Arsenal for around £5m from Cardiff City. Giovani dos Santos moves from Barcelona to Tottenham for an initial fee of £4.7m. Portugal head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari returns to club management as new manager of Chelsea determined to wrestle to Premier League title off Manchester United.

Paul Ince becomes the first black Briton to manage a top-flight side in England he is installed at Blackburn.

Bolton snap up Sweden striker Johan Elmander from Toulouse for around £10m. Chelsea strengthen their squad with the capture of Portugal international Deco for £8m from Barcelona.

JULY

In a busy month for transfers, Liverpool make a £20m swoop for Robbie Keane from Tottenham Hotspur, City make another big money purchase with the acquisition of Brazil ace Jo from CSKA Moscow for £18m. David Bentley arrives at Tottenham from Blackburn (£15m), Samir Nasi joins Arsene Wenger's Arsenal from French outfit Marseille (£11.8m) and Peter Crouch makes a switch from Liverpool to Portsmouth for £9m. Newly-promoted Hull City capture Brazilian midfielder Geovanni from Manchester City free transfer.

AUGUST

The new campaign kicks off with the first goal scored by Arsenal's Samir Nasri against newly-promoted West Bromwich Albion in the fourth minute of the lunchtime match. Fellow Premier League newboys Hull City are 2-1 victors at home to Fulham, but Stoke City lose 3-1 away to Bolton Wanderers.

The month ends with Chelsea and Liverpool leading the way at the top of the fledgeling table with two wins and a draw from their opening three fixtures, Arsenal grab two wins and a defeat that includes a shock reverse against Fulham, while United are just behind the pack after playing one less match.

Tottenham bring in striker Roman Pavlyuchenko from Spartak Moscow (£13.8m), Fabricio Coloccini signs for Newcastle from Deportivo (£10.3m), Shaun Wright-Phillips re-joins former club Man City for £9m, while Aston Villa complete the £7.8m signing of defender Carlos Cuellar from Rangers and James Milner from Newcastle for around £10m.

SEPTEMBER

Chelsea keep up their unbeaten start to the season to end the month at the Barclays Premier League summit - which includes a 1-1 draw with Manchester United at Stamford Bridge. Liverpool are also unbeaten and inflict a 2-1 defeat at home to the Red Devils to put an early dent in United's aspirations.

Hull City shock Arsenal with a 2-1 win and Manchester City secured the biggest margin of victory so far this campaign with a 6-0 rout of Portsmouth at Eastlands.

As the transfer window closes, City secure the signing of Brazilian superstar Robinho for a British transfer record of £32.5m from Real Madrid. Manchester United seal their £30.75m signing of Dimitar Berbatov from Tottenham. Alan Curbishley becomes the first managerial casualty of the season after leaving West Ham. Gianfranco Zola, who was coaching with Italy's U21 side, takes his place in the hotseat.

Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan steps down and former Wimbledon manager Joe Kinnear comes in initially for an interim period while the Magpies search for a new man. Elsewhere, Tottenham Hotspur sack Juande Ramos after their worst start to a Premier League season.

OCTOBER

A perfect month in the league for Liverpool, which includes victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, pushes the Reds into the league's pole position. Second-placed Chelsea record a 5-0 thrashing against Middlesbrough, with United and Arsenal slipping behind the leaders after a mixed month of results.

Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon notches an injury-time goal to earn his side a 4-4 draw at Arsenal in the North London derby. Spurs' star David Bentley scored a contender for goal of the season with an amazing 40-yard volley.

Hull continue their remarkable start to the campaign with three wins out of four to stay amongst the league's pace-setters.

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp steps into the breach at White Hart Lane, while Tony Adams is named as the new Pompey manager after stepping up from his role as first team coach.

NOVEMBER

Chelsea remain top of the tree on the final weekend of the month ahead of Liverpool on goal difference despite suffering a 2-1 defeat to Arsenal. The Gunners taste victory against title rivals Man Utd which went some way to making up for a surprise defeat to Stoke City.

United manage to thrash Stoke 5-0 and come out on top in the Manchester derby against City to stay within striking distance of the leading two.

DECEMBER

Roy Keane stands down as manager of Sunderland after two years in the role at the Stadium of Light. Chelsea's 2-0 win at Bolton makes it their 11th consecutive away victory in the top flight which is a new record. He is replaced by assistant Ricky Sbragia.

Paul Ince parts company with Blackburn Rovers after just six months in charge with Sam Allardyce replacing him at Ewood Park. Manchester United beat LDU Quito 1-0 to win the Club World Cup Final.

Portsmouth's Lassana Diarra agrees to join Real Madrid when the transfer window opens in January.

Liverpool's 5-1 win at Newcastle United means they finish 2008 on top of the Barclays Premier League, three points clear of Chelsea and seven ahead of Manchester United who have two matches in hand. Aston Villa are level on points with United, three in front of Arsenal in fifth.

West Bromwich Albion and Blackburn Rovers are tied on 18 points at the foot of the table but just five points separate them from Bolton Wanderers in 11th place.

It is so tight at both ends of the Barclays Premier League that it seems certain there will be a hugely exciting end to the season in 2009. Happy New Year to you all.

January Transfer Window Opened

The January transfer window has opened, which gives clubs their first opportunity to buy or sell players since the end of August.

Several deals have already been agreed, including Portsmouth midfielder Lassana Diarra's £20m move to Real Madrid, and can be rubber-stamped from 1 January.

This year's window has been extended until 1700 GMT on Monday 2 February because 31 January falls on a Saturday.

A record £150m was spent by Premier League clubs in January 2008.

But that figure could be eclipsed this season if, as expected, Manchester City boss Mark Hughes is given major funds to strengthen his squad by his club's billionaire Arab owners.

Any buys by City could kick-start activity from other Premier League sides but the Eastlands club are yet to delve into the market.

Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz is believed to be top of Hughes' wish-list but Rovers boss Sam Allardyce says he has not received any offers for the Paraguay star.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has underlined his desire to sign new players, and has already had a bid of around £6m rejected for West Ham striker Craig Bellamy as well as confirming his interest in Pompey frontman Jermain Defoe and Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing.

But teams such as Manchester United and Chelsea insist they will not be buying and others, like Portsmouth and the Hammers, may be forced to sell some of their stars to balance the books.

Wigan are keen to keep hold of England striker Emile Heskey, who is out of contract in the summer, while Newcastle striker Michael Owen and his Magpies team-mate goalkeeper Shay Given are also in demand.

Most Premier League managers have already had their say over how they see the next month going:

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger:
"Although we are not close to signing anyone at the moment, if we do buy I think what we need is maybe someone with a bit of experience. I need a creative midfielder and eventually another midfielder, because we are short.

"We already have many young players so, if we buy, it will be somebody who is ready to play straight away. A loan deal could also be a possibility.

"What we might need is someone who can create a little spark."

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill: 
"We are definitely looking at trying to do something if it is at all possible.

"I do no know whether the credit crunch has affected the market but this is a chance for all clubs to add to their squads."

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce:
"There have been no bids whatsoever for Roque Santa Cruz.

"At the moment I am more focused on getting him fit because I haven't seen him play since I've been here. I'm looking to getting him fit and producing the form he produced last year to get us out of trouble.

I'm also more focused on getting players in rather than players out. Certainly my focus over the last two days has been speaking to the chairman about that.

"We're both going to go out and try and improve our squad as quickly as possible."

Chelsea manager Luiz Filipe Scolari on his side's transfer policy:
"I knew that it's a different time for Chelsea but, if we suffer more injuries, the board understand that I'll need one or two players to replace some [injured] players.

"They understand this. If, on the other hand, the players are in good condition and there are no more injuries, I think it's maximum one player they'll replace because we need one more. Only one. A striker.

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon says transfer activity will be kept to a minimum: 
"I don't think we will be doing any business in the January transfer window because the type of players we are looking for are not available.

"Another reason is that we have still got some long-term injuries coming back and in January or February, Chelsea will have more player availability."

Everton manager David Moyes:
"We are actively looking at what will make a difference, but I don't think I will be able to do much in January. I am more likely to be looking at loans.

"Anything the club have got they will give me. But that doesn't mean to say I am not out there looking for loans or Bosman signings or anything else that can help us.

"I don't think we will be selling because we don't have the numbers. We are short at this present time and that limits what I can do off the bench."

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez admits signings are unlikely:
"It will be difficult to bring anyone in January because we have a good squad.

"To bring in anyone better than what we've got isn't easy and could be expensive."

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes: 
"We're aware of this assumption about the level of finance that we'll throw at the project in January, but we still have realistic market values.

"There is also an assumption that we will stimulate the market, that the money sloshing around will be from the deals that we have started, but we have to make sure we protect the club as well.

"We're hoping to go into the market and acquire players that we think will help us, but it is still dependent on whether clubs are willing to deal with us or not.

"The deals that we do will have to be good ones, but we are quite happy at the moment. We know that there will be a premium that we will probably have to pay because it's January, and teams don't want to lose their better players.

"But it will not be to the extent where we are paying hugely over the market value."

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson:
"I do not think there will be any January transfers, I am happy with what I have got.

"We are probably going to bring back a couple of young players who have been on loan. That may just give us extra protection.

"We took 23 players to Japan (for the Club World Cup) and they are substantial players. I would be happy to play any one of them."

Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear insists goalkeeper Shay Given is not for sale: 
"Shay won't be leaving - he has no interest in that whatsoever. He loves the football club - he's part of the city and that suits us because he's a world-class goalkeeper.

Portsmouth manager Tony Adams: 
"The board are going to do exactly what they did for [former boss] Harry Redknapp to me, and I had money anyway [before Real's move for Diarra]. I have had new signings in mind since I have been in the job."

Stoke chairman Peter Coates: 
"We've got a few things on the go. I think Tony Pulis would like about three players, but I don't want to give too much away.

"I do know we'll have a stronger squad at the end of January than what we have now."

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp on his January targets: 
"If could find a wide-left player I would like to get one. That and a frontman would be the priority."

"I think Portsmouth have had a massive offer from somebody for Jermain Defoe, so good luck to them - I paid about £9m when I signed him. He is a good player but we're not going to pay over the top for anyone.

"It's not finished but if they don't want to sell him [Defoe] it's up to them. I am not going to upset the applecart.

"If they say 'we'll have that', then we can do something. If they say 'we don't want to sell him' then it is end of story.

"I like Stewart Downing but I don't know whether Middlesbrough want to sell him."

West Ham chief executive Scott Duxbury: 
"We must not be afraid of interest in or bids for our leading players.

"Each approach will be considered in terms of fee, fitness, form and where the manager thinks the player is in his career.

"We have to consider the will of the player and whether he is committed to what we are trying to achieve.

"A bid may be evaluated by the manager as allowing him to significantly improve his team.

Premier League Boxing Day Fixtures

Aston Villa v Arsenal, 17:15 

Chelsea v West Brom, 13:00 

Liverpool v Bolton, 15:00 

Man City v Hull, 15:00 

Middlesbrough v Everton, 15:00 

Portsmouth v West Ham, 13:00 

Stoke v Man Utd, 12:45 

Sunderland v Blackburn, 15:00 

Tottenham v Fulham, 13:00 

Wigan v Newcastle, 15:00

All times in GMT.

Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool

Robbie Keane struck a stunning equaliser as Liverpool remained top of the Premier League and maintained an eight-point advantage over Arsenal.

Robin van Persie put Arsenal ahead after collecting a long pass from Samir Nasri that he brilliantly controlled before smashing home.

Keane's equaliser was equally spectacular, drilling home a long punt upfield on the half-volley.

Emmanuel Adebayor saw red in the second half after picking up a second yellow.

Liverpool had been on top at the time of Adebayor's 62nd-minute dismissal but the home team competed manfully after losing their Togo striker and were good value for their point.

The visitors could now lose top spot in the league if Chelsea defeat Everton on Monday, while Arsenal remain fifth in the table.

Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas said in the week before the game that defeat for his team would have effectively spelled the end of their title challenge

Having drawn the fixture the Gunners remain in the hunt but an injury to Fabregas on the stroke of half-time does little to improve their prospects.

Rafael Benitez, whose team have already beaten Chelsea and Manchester United this season, missed the game as he recovers from surgery to remove kidney stones but the Liverpool boss did pick the team.

Keane, an unused substitute against Hull last weekend, returned as one of four changes from the team that drew with Hull last weekend.

Steven Gerrard played just behind the Irishman and the two combined after 10 minutes for the opening opportunity of the game. Keane looked to be yards offside as he collected a long ball but Gael Clichy had played him on and the striker laid the ball off to Gerrard, whose shot from 20 yards was saved by Manuel Almunia.

Arsenal took time to settle, struggling to play their fluent passing game. However, Adebayor forced a save from Pepe Reina with a header after he met Bacary Sagna's cross from the right.

And Van Persie put Arsenal ahead with a goal of individual brilliance.

Nasri, returning after injury, picked out the Dutch forward with a raking pass but Van Persie was closely marked by Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger as he brought the ball down on his chest.

Van Persie created a yard of space with his second touch and smashed the ball into the corner with his third.

Clear-cut chances remained at a premium but it was another moment of brilliance that saw Keane equalise with his third Premier League goal of the season.

Arsenal had been troubled previously by long balls upfield and failed to deal with a long punt over the top from Agger that Keane smashed home spectacularly on the half-volley.

Liverpool might have led at the break but Gerrard could not quite find the target after sliding in the meet a low cross from Kuyt, who then went close himself with a low shot across goal that Almunia did well to save.

And the half ended on a sour note for Arsenal when skipper Fabregas sustained a knee injury challenging Xabi Alonso for the ball and was replaced by Vassiriki Diaby.

Leiva Lucas tested stand-in captain Almunia with a strike shortly after the resumption and the home team's travails worsened when Adebayor was dismissed.

The striker had his foot raised as he competed with Alvaro Arbeloa and caught the defender with his elbow as he spun, prompting referee Howard Webb to issue a second yellow card.

But Arsenal, who had struggled since the resumption, rallied after losing Adebayor and enjoyed a spell of pressure in and around the Liverpool box.

However, it was Liverpool who came close to a late winner, with a long-range strike from Agger narrowly missing the target and Nabil El Zhar heading wide.

Ferdinand dismisses Arsenal's Title hopes

Rio Ferdinand has ruled Arsenal out of the race for the Premier League title.

Arsene Wenger's men are currently eight points adrift of league leaders Liverpool and Ferdinand feels it will eventually prove too big a gap to bridge.

Speaking ahead of Thursday's Club World Cup encounter with Gamba Osaka in Yokohama, Ferdinand said: "It is not beyond Arsenal but it is my personal opinion that it will be between the other three this season."

"At the moment it looks like being nip and tuck but usually from Christmas onwards the teams who are going to be there at the end start pulling away.

"I can see that happening this season. I presume ourselves, Chelsea and Liverpool will pull away, then it will be down to two and finally one."

For the second time in a month none of the 'big four' managed a win this weekend.

On Saturday evening, it seemed United had blown an excellent chance to close on Liverpool, who had been held at home by Hull, when they failed to overcome Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

But, at Heathrow Airport on Sunday, as they waited for their flight to the Far East, United's players heard Chelsea had drawn with West Ham at Stamford Bridge.

"It looks like teams will drop points," said Ferdinand.

"Hull going to Anfield and getting a draw is a massive result for them. Who would have said that before the season kicked off?

"West Ham getting a draw at Chelsea was a surprise as well. There have been quite a few unusual results this season but I am sure it is good for the fans."

Villa Climb To 4th on Premier League Table

Villa Climb To 4th on Premier League Table with a 4-2 win against Bolton.

Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young inspired Aston Villa to a victory which took them above Arsenal into fourth.

Bolton took the lead through Johan Elmander's cute near-post backheel.

But Agbonlahor controlled a long ball before slotting in the equaliser and Villa went ahead when Kevin Davies headed into his own net.

Agbonlahor nodded in a brilliant Young cross and then set up his England team-mate for a deflected finish, before Davies headed a consolation for Bolton.

The hosts could even have had a fifth had referee Lee Probert spotted what looked an obvious penalty claim in the first half but that might have been too much for the Villa Park faithful, who had not seen a league goal since 9 November.

Following successive home stalemates against Manchester United and Fulham, the hosts would have welcomed the goal drought lasting longer than the 18 minutes it took for Bolton to snatch the lead.

With their first attack of note, Davies picked up a loose ball on the right and crossed for Elmander to beat Brad Friedel with a clever backheel, the Swede's fifth league goal of the season.

The hosts had every right to be shell-shocked, having had much the better of the opening quarter of an hour.

The electric pace of Young and Agbonlahor had a lumbering Bolton defence in all sorts of trouble - but they were struggling to beat the linesman's offside flag.

Bolton display disappoints Megson

Bolton almost added to their lead, Gretar Steinsson heading against the bar, before Agbonlahor finally did stay onside to head the ball away from his marker and finish expertly with his left foot.

That was the cue for the hosts to take complete control, Agbonlahor terrorising the defence with his pace and movement, and they took a deserved lead five minutes from time when Davies headed into his own net under pressure from Martin Laursen.

They will still be wondering how they were not further ahead at the interval. Probert inexplicably waved away Villa's penalty claims when Gary Cahill had used his arm to clear a corner.

Villa continued to control the game in the second half, but the excitement level dropped markedly - that is, until Young produced a touch of magic on the left wing, twisting and turning to make the space before whipping in a fabulous inswinging cross that Agbonlahor only had to glance home.

Bolton were forced to chase the game, and that only played into the hands of their counter-attacking opposition.

O'Neill admits 'absolute joy' about Villa duo

Agbonlahor picked up the ball on the left, and found Young inside the penalty box, the winger's fierce shot hitting Steinsson before beating keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen.

Bolton, who came into the match on a run of three successive away wins under manager-of-the-month Gary Megson, kept working and were rewarded when Davies headed in at the far post from Steinsson's right-wing cross in the 86th minute.

That made it 10 away goals in four games, but a comeback was too much to hope for.

Indeed, Villa spurned two more clear chances, both by Steve Sidwell, first failing to tap in Marlon Harwood's dangerous ball across goal and then seeing his shot blocked.

Tottenham Hold Man Utd To A Draw

Manchester United could only manage a draw at White Hart Lane thanks to a stubborn tottenham side.

David Bentley's 25-yard volley forced a fine save from Edwin van der Sar, who also denied Aaron Lennon as Spurs had the better chances in the first half.

After the break, Cristiano Ronaldo had a goal disallowed when he was ruled to have handled the ball before scoring.

Rio Ferdinand and Ji-sung Park went close and Heurelho Gomes superbly saved Ryan Giggs' free-kick as Spurs held on.

United's next Premier League fixture is not until Boxing Day as they leave for Club World Cup duty in Japan on Sunday.

And despite a determined start, they missed the chance to close the gap on domestic front-runners Liverpool after the Reds' 2-2 draw with Hull earlier in the day.

Although the visitors dominated possession for the opening few minutes, there was a lack of pace and incisiveness in their approach play.

Instead it was Spurs who had the first serious attempt on goal when Bentley flipped the ball up with his right foot and cracked a 25-yard volley with his left, forcing Van der Sar into a smart save.

But the hosts suffered a blow three minutes later when Jonathan Woodgate was forced off with a back problem after an innocuous-looking challenge with Carlos Tevez.

On came Tom Huddlestone to play in midfield, with Didier Zokora moving to right back and Vedran Corluka replacing Woodgate at centre-back.

United quickly tried to test Spurs' right flank, with Ronaldo sending in a cross for Dimitar Berbatov, who could only loop a header into Heurelho Gomes's arms.

That was the story of Berbatov's return to White Hart Lane for the first since his acrimonious transfer, as he narrowly failed to silence the deafening boos that accompanied his every touch.

Redknapp praises 'terrific performance'

The Bulgarian was denied a certain goal when Gomes superbly diverted Ronaldo's low cross and was inches away from getting his head to John O'Shea's cross as United continued to attack down their left.

Tottenham also went close to breaking the deadlock, first when Aaron Lennon's low shot brought a fine save out of Edwin van der Sar and then when Luka Modric sent a diving header just off target.

United tried to step up the tempo after the break and Berbatov set off on a menacing run but was thwarted again when Michael Dawson nicked the ball away as he was about to shoot.

From the corner, Ronaldo controlled the ball and lashed home, but the goal was disallowed for a handball.

Phelan happy with a point at Spurs

The warning was there for Tottenham, who tried to hit back and Bentley tested Van der Sar with a well-struck free-kick.

However, it was only a brief respite for Spurs as they came under increasing pressure.

Gomes had to be alert to keep out Nemanja Vidic's shot and Ferdinand headed narrowly over as United pressed.

The Brazilian keeper, much criticised of late, was showing he can also hit the headlines for the right reasons and he brilliantly saved from Ji-Sung Park.

His finest save was to come late on, when he tipped substitute Giggs' free-kick on to the bar.

United do not now play until their trip to Stoke on Boxing Day because of their involvement in the Fifa Club World Championship.