Tottenham 1-1 Manchester United

Feb 3 2008 Scott Mcdermott At White Hart Lane

But It Wasn't Bad For Starters Says Debut Boy Hutton

ALAN HUTTON was thrilled at how he coped against Manchester United's superstars but gutted at conceding a last-minute equaliser.

The £9million former Rangers star was TEN seconds away from completing a dream start after putting the shackles on Cristiano Ronaldo and Co.

Hutton 23, handled the likes of Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Tevez and Ryan Giggs superbly but couldn't hide his disappointment as Sir Alex Ferguson's side stole a point.

He said: "That was a killer at the end, it was really hard to take. Overall I think we deserved to win it but it wasn't to be.

"We were playing one of the best teams in this league so we have to accept the point. I thought I did alright. It was a good game to make my debut in.

"I was pleased with the way I coped with the likes of Rooney and Ronaldo. At times in the second half there were four or five of them coming at us but it's always going to be like that against a team like Manchester United.

"They have got great players - I'm just looking forward to playing against the rest of the teams in this league now.

"I held back a bit at first, in terms of making runs forward. I was wary of leaving big gaps behind me and I had to watch what I was doing but in the second half I came into my own a bit more."

He didn't bomb forward as much as he did at Ibrox but produced a controlled performance that instantly won over the fans.

Hutton emerged from the tunnel with his white socks up to his thighs - his trademark look in the SPL.

Then came the handshakes with United's all-star line-up - surely this was the moment he realised just how big his move really is.

Seconds before kick-off he'd have been boosted by the huge roar that greeted his name as it was read out by the Tannoy announcer.

His first touch in the Premiership was from a Tom Huddlestone pass and he played it simple, laying the ball off for Jermaine Jenas.

Then came his first test. One on one with Rooney on the left flank.

Hutts passed with flying colours, ushering the United striker to the bye-line and cleverly winning a free-kick in the process.

United had a chance in the eighth minute when Pascal Chimbonda and Steed Malbranque got in a mess on the edge of the box. Wes Brown tried to capitalise but blasted over.

Hutton was seeing plenty of action and didn't look out of place in such star-studded company. He won another joust with Rooney in 17 minutes and Spurs grabbed the lead moments later.

Jenas led a quick counter-attack but slipped inside United's 18-yard box. After the ball appeared to strike his hand on the deck Lennon picked it up and drilled in a cross Edwin van der Sar could only parry and Dimitar Berbatov tapped home.

Despite the Dutch keeper's protests the goal was given and Hutton was one of the first players to congratulate his new team-mate.

Juande Ramos' side dominated the half, forcing United back and Berbatov should have scored his second in the 36th minute after terrific work by Huddlestone and Lennon but the Bulgarian volleyed over.

United's response just before the interval came in the shape of a Ronaldo header that flew past and Patrice Evra's weak penalty claim after a challenge by Lennon.

After the restart Hutton began to motor and on his first rampaging run was sent tumbling by Ronaldo - only for ref Mark Clattenburg to wave play on and enrage the Scot and his bench.

The home side came within inches of doubling their lead in 53 minutes when a Huddlestone thunderbolt from 25 yards deflected just wide.

Ferguson wasn't happy and threw on Nani and Anderson for Giggs and Paul Scholes. After seeing off the United skipper Hutton was now faced with the challenge of stopping the Portuguese wonderkid.

He was putting in a composed and polished performance, choosing his runs carefully and not doing anything rash.

Spurs had a decent penalty shout with 18 minutes left when Evra looked to have handled from a Malbranque cross.

Brazilian midfielder Anderson let fly from 25 yards and forced Radek Cerny into a fantastic save then Nani's effort was saved by Cerny.

Hutton's debut was summed up in the 87th minute when he launched into tackles with Ronaldo and Evra and won both, leaving the United stars on their backsides.

Just as it looked like the perfect day for the Scot, Tevez popped up and nudged home the equaliser.