Wayne Rooney scored twice as Manchester United showed their defiance in prolonging the Premiership title race in an entertaining Bank Holiday encounter at White Hart Lane.
Both Rooney's goals came before half-time, the first owed a lot to the skill of Cristiano Ronaldo while the second was created by the tenacity of Park Ji-Sung.
Jermaine Jenas pulled one back in the second half for Spurs, who stay four points ahead in the chase for a crucial fourth-placed Champions League spot.
It was end-to-end stuff and superb entertainment for the capacity Easter Monday crowd.
Carrick was an increasing influence in the Spurs midfield and Jol brought on Danny Murphy in the 70th minute for Edgar Davids to launch a concerted attempt to rescue something from the game.
United were still dangerous, although Rooney uncharacteristically dragged a right-foot shot way wide from 18 yards.
Ferguson was off the bench conveying his fury to referee Mark Halsey after one thunderous tackle by Spurs substitute Lee Barnard felled Neville.
It was that sort of game, fully committed on both sides, even if the second-half never quite reached the attacking heights of the first.
A Keane shot was saved by Van der Sar in the 85th minute but United broke immediately through Rooney who fed Neville whose cross was met by van Nistelrooy but unluckily for United his shot cannoned against the foot of the post.
