Son Heung-min scored a 79th-minute equaliser to complete a fine Tottenham comeback against Manchester United in Ryan Mason’s first game back as interim boss.
United looked to be coasting to a fourth straight Premier League win after goals by Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford put them in a commanding position at half-time.
Pedro Porro launched the fightback before Bruno Fernandes hit the bar for United when he should have scored.
Son equalised from close range after good work by Harry Kane to leave home fans, who had earlier called for chairman Daniel Levy to go, celebrating.
The point lifts Spurs above Liverpool and Aston Villa into fifth place, while United now trail third-placed Newcastle by two points after the Magpies won 4-1 at Everton.
ason was back in charge two years after his first spell as interim head coach and four days after the horrific 6-1 thrashing by Newcastle that brought Cristian Stellini’s own stint as interim boss to an abrupt end.
Spurs were supposedly low on confidence but their spirited second-half response will give Mason and his players confidence they can yet finish the season on a positive note before the next permanent manager is appointed.
United took control after Sancho fired them into a seventh-minute lead before Porro was denied an equaliser when Luke Shaw intercepted Richarlison’s pass.
When Spurs did get a clear sight of goal they found David de Gea in fine form as the United goalkeeper produced two excellent saves to keep out Ivan Perisic.
Levy looked on stern faced from the directors’ box after Rashford’s goal but Porro’s finish with the outside of his right foot – after Kane had a shot blocked – gave home fans hope.
The hosts threatened an equaliser and came close when Eric Dier headed a golden chance wide, but they were not to be denied and Son’s equaliser was no more than they deserved for a much-improved performance in the second period.
United remain well placed to finish in the top four but the sloppy manner in which they conceded a 2-0 lead showed there are problems that need manager Erik ten Hag’s attention this summer.
They have a six-point cushion and two games in hand on fifth-placed Spurs but Ten Hag will have expected his players to close the game out at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Despite last Sunday’s energy-sapping FA Cup semi-final victory over Brighton, which went to extra time and penalties, the United boss made just one change – Sancho coming in for Anthony Martial.
Sancho marked his return with a lovely finish and it looked like it was United’s night when Rashford scored his 16th Premier League goal of the season.
Yet having won their previous three league games without conceding, they were unable to secure all three points.
