Manchester United moved back up into third in the Premier League table after they beat Everton 2-0 today at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils looked like they were about to take the lead after just seven minutes when the electric Marcus Rashford outpaced James Tarwoski, but the England international fired his effort straight at Jordan Pickford.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka then wasted a glorious chance to open the scoring, the right-back scuffing wide from a few yards out after Antony’s volley came back off the post.
Everton were very much in the game at that stage however, and Ellis Simms dragged just wide when he really should have done better after 20 minutes.
Antony and Marcel Sabitzer then joined the ‘hit it straight at Pickford’ club when they found themselves with just the Toffees ‘keeper to beat.
Manchester United’s pressure would finally tell in the 36th minute though, and it was the result of a moment of real quality. Against a packed Everton defence, Jadon Sancho played a brilliant pass through the eye of a needle and Scott McTominay latched on to fire past Pickford at his near post.
Sean Dyche’s side tightened things up at the back after the break, although Man United would find that killer second goal in the 71st minute. Rashford took advantage of a mistake by Everton skipper Seamus Coleman to slip in substitute Anthony Martial and the French striker finished clinically past Pickford.
Bruno Fernandes’ first half vs Everton so far:
94% pass accuracy
5 chances created
33/35 passes completed
2/2 though balls completed
13/14 final third passes completedCreator 🪄 pic.twitter.com/kYtwAJfPs2
— United Zone (@ManUnitedZone_) April 8, 2023
Speaking afterwards United boss Erik Ten Hag was happy with his side’s display, although he admitted he would have liked to have seen his team kill the game off much quicker.
“We have to be more clinical and more ruthless and this game has to be finished by half time and we didn’t,” Ten Hag told BT Sport.
”But it is still a very good performance and it is still a big compliment to the team.”
“Once again players coming from the bench having an impact and scoring goals. We have many subs who come on this season and score goals.”
United skipper Bruno Fernandes put in a man-of-the-match performance in a deeper role and Ten Hag was full of praise for the Portuguese midfielder.
“I think he was brilliant and he has played brilliant in a deeper role and even last week against Newcastle he played very well and today – brilliant.
”He was definitely the best player on the pitch.”
