Lucas double seals stunning win at United

A five-year wait for a goal at Old Trafford ended with three in 34 minutes as we registered a memorable win over Manchester United to maintain our 100 per cent start to the season on Monday night. 

In an enthralling game under the lights, the sparkling Lucas Moura had a big shout for a penalty waved away in the first half but we continued to move up through the gears and Harry Kane's excellently-placed header from Kieran Trippier's corner gave us a deserved lead five minutes after the interval.

Hugo Lloris preserved that advantage straight away by denying Romelu Lukaku before the always dangerous Lucas quickly doubled our lead, later gliding past Chris Smalling one-v-one and slamming in an eye-catching third with six minutes left.

The opening exchanges yielded a chance apiece owing to individual mistakes as both sides tried to work out how best to go about their business. Danny Rose, in for his first start of the season, was relieved to see Lukaku drag across the face of the empty goal after rounding Lloris following his mis-placed defensive pass, while Dele Alli took too long to assess his options after we won possession high up the pitch and suddenly found ourselves in with a chance, allowing Smalling to intervene.

Lucas was a lively influence throughout, never afraid to get on the ball and drive forward with defenders on his coat-tails. He was at the centre of the major talking point of the first half as he embarked on an explosive run in the 29th minute, shaking off Phil Jones and Nemanja Matic before going to ground in the box as Jones came surging back in, but referee Craig Pawson allowed play to continue.

Paul Pogba's long-range strike was saved by Lloris and Jan Vertonghen diverted Matic's follow-up effort behind, but we were enjoying the upper hand in the 15-minute period leading up to half-time. Christian Eriksen was left frustrated as a couple of opportunities came and went, while Dele was denied at the back post by Ander Herrera.

The quick pace of game continued after the break with Kane and Dele going close before Kane stunned the Old Trafford faithful with a superb header, placed across David De Gea from a fair way out, from Trippier's corner.

Lloris steered Lukaku's angled shot away from goal in a key save straight afterwards, but we dealt United a hammer blow on 52 minutes with a second goal. Eriksen surged into acres of space down the right flank and had options for his delivery. He played it to perfection, sliding the ball back into the path of the arriving Lucas to fire into the bottom corner.

Toby Alderweireld later stuck a toe in to thwart Jesse Lingard from close range while De Gea did enough to deny Dele one-on-one after another defensive mistake from the hosts, Kane nodding wide from the corner that followed shortly afterwards.

Not content to defend our lead, we kept pushing forward and grabbed a third on 84 minutes when Lucas ran at Smalling, ruthlessly taking him on through the middle and emphatically shooting past De Gea. Alexis Sanchez had a late attempt from a free-kick, but Lloris had it covered to preserve his clean sheet.

Key moment

We were in control for the latter stages of the first half and early moments of the second, with Kane's headed opener giving us real belief. Following an important save from Lloris that prevented us from quickly surrendering that lead, as has happened in the past at Old Trafford, Lucas struck the first of his two goals to put daylight between the sides.

From there, we were able to keep playing positively and Lucas sealed a deserved second - our third - later in the game.

Kane's goal was crucial and on the final whistle, the striker was thrilled with the result.

"It’s massive, just what we needed," he said. "We wanted to put a statement out there. We knew it was going to be tough and it was, especially in the first half. It was a battle out there.

"We said at half-time we needed to step it up a gear and that’s what we did.

"In these games, the first goal is so important, getting that breakthrough. We got it and punished them after that with two great goals from Lucas.

"The team was fantastic, the defence stayed high, stayed solid and it’s a huge win for us."

Match data

Goals: Spurs - Kane 50, Lucas 52, 84.

Yellow cards: Manchester United - Herrera 19, Valencia 58; Spurs - Kane 24, Rose 77.

Referee: Craig Pawson.

Venue: Old Trafford.

Attendance: 74,400.

Weather: Light cloud, gentle breeze, 16 degrees.