The Red Devils of Manchester United put up a great showing against Everton today at the Theatre of Dreams as they saw of relegation-threatened Everton 2-0.
Recall that Manchester United lost its last game 2-0 to Newcastle United last weekend.
It’s a result that strengthens the Red Devils’ top-four hopes as they, at least temporarily, move six points clear of Tottenham Hotspur. Goals from Scott McTominay and Anthony Martial wrapped up the win for United, although there was a late concern with Marcus Rashford hobbling off with a new injury.
It was an entertaining start at Old Trafford, with Marcel Sabitzer firing wide inside the opening two minutes, before Rashford smashed a one-on-one chance directly at Jordan Pickford. Antony hit the post from the edge of the box soon after, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka failing to hit the target from the follow-up as the defender skewed his effort wide on his left foot.
On 19 minutes, Ellis Simms should have netted from just a few yards out, but scuffed his shot wide, while Pickford had to be on hand to keep out strikes from Sabitzer and Antony. United were really pushing for the opener and Ben Godfrey’s last-ditch tackle prevented Antony from shooting against Pickford, before Rashford’s attempt was blocked by Michael Kane in the box.
Rashford and Sabitzer then had good strikes saved by Pickford, but it took until the 37th minute to find their well-deserved opener. After some neat build-up play in a condensed area, Jadon Sancho picked out McTomainy’s dart in behind the backline and the no.39 unleashed a low, driven shot which squirmed past Pickford at his near post.
The United onslaught continued with Wan-Bissaka’s shot from the edge of the area deflecting over, while in injury-time Antony’s curled effort tested Pickford once again in busy half for the goalkeeper.
But it was a quiet start to the second half, with a looping header from James Tarkowski the only chance of note inside the first 20 minutes after the break. Bruno Fernandes’ header tested Pickford after 67 minutes as United stepped up their efforts to get a second, before Wan-Bissaka’s flick from a corner was saved.
Soon after, the Red Devils doubled their advantage when Rashford latched onto Seamus Coleman’s mistake and, as the ball slipped under the Irishman’s foot, United’s no.10 drove forward and then centred the ball for a waiting Martial to tap in.
Everton tried to score late on, with Demari Gray shooting wide and then Coleman’s tame effort was easily saved by David de Gea. After 81 minutes, Rashford limped out of the game and appeared to have picked up an injury.
Fernandes’ header was saved by Pickford in the dying embers of the contest, while the returning Christian Eriksen saw his attempt blocked by Coleman. Here’s how we rated the United players.