Tottenham Hotspur clung on to record a famous 2-1 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Adebayor put Spurs in front against the run of play when he stooped above Chris Smalling to head home Christian Eriksen’s floated cross on 34 minutes.

Eriksen then gave Spurs a 2-0 lead on 66 minutes with a close range header but the deficit was reduced by Danny Welbeck who made it 2-1 seconds after the restart when he chipped the on-rushing Hugo Lloris.

But the game hung on a contentious refereeing decision when substitute Ashley Young was denied what appeared to be a stonewall penalty two minutes from time.

The England winger got to the ball ahead of the on-rushing Lloris and crossed before being taken out by the goalkeeper on the edge of the box.

But referee Howard Webb waved away the penalty cries from United’s players and a disbelieving Old Trafford crowd.

United manager  David Moyes was incandescent with rage and ran a full ten yards on to the pitch to make his feelings known to Webb.

Spurs survived a late onslaught by United though to claim three points that takes them above the champions at the start of the new year.

United had earlier started the game with real purpose and Lloris got down well to block Smalling’s drilled shot from inside the box as Spurs looked unable to cope with the home side’s creativity and movement.

Aaron Lennon was denied by the foot of David De Gea though when he was played in behind with a clever through ball from Soldado in a rare early chance for the visitors.

Spurs began to come into the game but it was United looking the more dangerous as Antonio Valencia and Danny Welbeck began combining with good effect.

Despite all their possession though, United failed to create many scoring opportunities and it was the visitors who unexpectedly took the lead with a superb piece of counter attacking football.

Eriksen fed Soldado in the middle of the pitch and the playmaker peeled off wide to take the return pass before floating a cross into the box where Adebayor rose above Smalling and nodded the ball back past the frozen De Gea into the bottom right corner.

Minutes later, Solado skewed Lennon’s whipped low cross high and wide from the edge of the six yard box with the goal at his mercy.

Spurs went 2-0 up in the second half when Eriksen got in front of the napping Valencia to meet Lennon’s deflected cross and head through De Gea from close range.

But United took just seconds to find a way back into the game and Danny Welbeck skilfully chipped Lloris when he was played in behind with a clever through ball from substitute Hernandez.

Old Trafford was alive with noise as the home crowd urged the champions on to an equaliser, and they were nearly rewarded when the lively Januzaj curled a left footed shot inches wide from the edge of the area.

Spurs were under seige but defended well and almost hit United on the counter once more but Lennon fired straight at De Gea after a darting run into the box.

Moyes brought on Ashley Young and the England winger had what appeared to be a stonewall penalty inexplicably turned down by referee Howard Webb.

It was backs to the wall for Spurs as five minutes of added time flashed up, and Lloris got down well to save Rooney’s shot before Vidic headed narrowly over the bar.

The full time whistle sparked rapturous celebrations from the travelling fans who have now seen their team take ten points from a possible twelve since Tim Sherwood replaced Andre Villas-Boas as head coach.

Man Utd XI: De Gea; Smalling (Kagawa, 60), Evans, Vidic, Evra; Valencia, Carrick (Hernandez, 60), Cleverley (Young, 83), Januzaj; Rooney, Welbeck.

Tottenham XI: Lloris; Walker, Chiriches, Dawson, Rose; Lennon, Capoue (Bentaleb, 64), Dembele, Eriksen; Adebayor (Chadli, 68), Soldado (Kane).

Bookings: Rooney, 40, Dembele, 79.