Smalling: Draw Was Fair

Chris Smalling was disappointed not to clinch victory at White Hart Lane, but conceded the 2-2 draw against Tottenham was "probably a fair result".

The champions contested a highly competitive match in North London and twice came from behind through the continually impressive Wayne Rooney, who scored shortly after a couple of fine individual strikes from Spurs players Kyle Walker and Sandro.

Speaking exclusively to MUTV, Smalling explained a point at Tottenham is not as disappointing as last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Cardiff City, when three points were cruelly taken away from United during added time in South Wales.

"I think today was probably a fair result,” Chris said. “Given the result last week, we knew that coming here against a top-five club would be tough. I think we considered Cardiff two points dropped, whereas today might be a well-earned point when we look back on it."

Expanding on his point, Smalling continued: “We were going for it in the second half and the manger threw on some more attacking players, and, to be fair, they threw on some attacking players as well. We were both going for it – we just needed that little bit of luck to get those three points.”

When asked about Sandro’s unstoppable 25-yard effort in the second half, Smalling admitted the wonder-goal struck a hammer blow to United’s momentum. Crucially, though, the 24-year-old was pleased by his team-mates’ reaction to falling behind.

“It was a bit disheartening, seeing it fly into the top corner, but we showed a good reaction and I think that is accumulative of the last 10 games when we have shown a real togetherness. We got straight back into it quickly.

“I think it is now about keeping around the top two and we could have done with three points. Last week’s result was more of a killer blow. We've now got Everton and Newcastle, so we need to make sure we get seven points from a possible nine. We need two wins next week.”

On a personal note, Sunday’s match was Smalling’s 100th in a United shirt and the former Maidstone defender is proud of his achievement: “It was a nice little landmark and hopefully I can keep up this run and keep ticking off those appearances.”