James Maddison goal enough for Tottenham Hotspur against depleted Manchester United

James Maddison's 13th-minute goal secured Tottenham Hotspur a much-needed 1-0 win over Manchester United in the battle of the Premier League's crisis clubs.

The two teams started the day closer to the relegation zone than the top-four and it was Spurs who gained three points following an early effort by the fit-again Maddison.

Maddison celebrated with a shush to the camera after midweek criticism from ex-Man United captain Roy Keane and this first home league win for Tottenham since November 3 moved the hosts' up to 12th in the table.

Spurs fans had protested against chairman Daniel Levy and majority owners ENIC earlier in the day, but come full-time it was injury-hit United and boss Ruben Amorim who were left to reflect on where to go next following another league defeat.

Tottenham were without 11 players for their cup defeat at Aston Villa but the roles were reversed for this fixture with Ange Postecoglou boosted by the return of Guglielmo Vicario and Maddison, while United lost Manuel Ugarte, Kobbie Mainoo and Amad Diallo to injury over the weekend.

At least two thousand Spurs fans had protested before kick off and it took only 10 minutes for the first 'Levy Out' chants to begin loudly in the South Stand.

It was followed by a triple chance for United, with Vicario forced to save from Rasmus Hojlund before he clawed away Alejandro Garnacho’s curled strike. Diogo Dalot was first to the loose ball but Ben Davies cleared away his goalbound effort.

Three minutes later, Spurs took the lead with Maddison able to mark his return from a calf injury with his 10th goal of the season.

Pedro Porro and Rodrigo Bentancur combined on the right with the latter able to pick out Son Heung-min, who volleyed into the path of Lucas Bergvall and,