00:00It began the defense of their title by beating Spurs 2-0 at White Hart Lane.
00:04But there was something for Tottenham fans to cheer.
00:07Teddy Sheringham missed a penalty on his return to his old club.
00:12Manchester United know this season, like many in recent years,
00:15that they start as the team everyone wants to beat.
00:19And the welcome Teddy Sheringham received at his old club
00:21demonstrated just how eager the North Londoners were to win.
00:25Ramon Vega felling the England man early on.
00:27Both sides struggled to find much rhythm in the first half
00:30and only individual flashes looked like creating openings.
00:33Ryan Giggs found some space, his cross evading both Jordy Cruyff and Sheringham.
00:39Spurs 2 had chances.
00:42Dennis Irwin here getting the better of David Howes.
00:46If anyone thought Sheringham had been put off his stride,
00:49they were soon reminded of the qualities that made him a hero at White Hart Lane.
00:53Walker, though, equal to his opportunist strike.
00:56A goalless first half gave way to some real drama.
00:59United's pressure and Justin Edinburgh was unable to get the better of Jordy Cruyff,
01:03forced to use his hand inside the box to control the ball.
01:07Teddy Sheringham, who else stepped up to take the penalty?
01:10Not a very auspicious start from the spot for him,
01:13hitting the upright and blazing the rebound over the bar.
01:18Inside the last ten minutes, United did go ahead.
01:21Teddy Sheringham's through ball rebounding into Nicky Butt's path,
01:24and Ian Walker could do nothing about his powerful drive.
01:29Spurs' misery was complete just a minute later,
01:32when Ramon Vega miss-hit his clearance,
01:34the desperate Walker again with absolutely no chance.
01:38A deserved win for the champions,
01:40but not a game that Teddy Sheringham will remember with much affection.
01:44His missed penalty will be the only crumb of consolation
01:47for the disappointed Spurs fans.
01:49Spurs' misery was quite as much.
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