Man Utd 2 Everton 0
Erik ten Hag knew that things needed to change at Old Trafford as Everton came to town. The Red Devils had been waiting some time for a home win, it seemed perfect timing that they should play a side who had not won at this ground for over a decade.
However, it was the visitors who started the game in confident mood. The Toffees were knocking the ball around on the big pitch like champions-elect rather than relegation candidates. Fortunately for the hosts, the visitors were fluffing their lines in front of goal.
On a rare counter-attack the ball was played to Garnacho, whose quick feet left Tarkowski baffled as he caught the winger. The Argentine needed no invitation to go to ground in dramatic style as soon as he felt the contact from the challenge.
The referee immediately pointed to the spot and not even a VAR review was going to save Everton. Bruno Fernandes stepped up and stroked the ball into the bottom corner. Pickford went the right way but his little, short arms could not keep it out.
Credit: @ManUtd
Despite being a good shot-stopper there are times where the Everton keeper makes the goal look so big. Diving full stretch into the bottom corner and still not being able to reach the ball was one of these moments. Not that the hosts were complaining about his disproportionately sized arms.
Sean Dyche’s side continued to create chances and as the ball dropped to McNeil on the volley at the edge of the box, his effort left Onana rooted to the spot. Fortunately for United, the ball dropped just wide of the near post.
Garnacho was causing problems for the visitors and he was fouled once again, just outside the box. Fernandes stepped up and struck the free-kick and the pint-sized keeper managed to keep it out with an elaborate save. It was pretty close to him but he dived full stretch to get to it.
Man Utd came forward once again and this time Godfrey hauled down Garnacho. Fernandes gifted the spot kick this time to Rashford like an episode of Bruno’ll Fix It. He stepped up and slotted the ball into the bottom corner to double their lead.
As the second-half started, Fernandes found Garnacho at the back post but he could not keep his shot down as he blazed it over the bar. This is the thing with the winger, he is a raw talent, at times he looks a world-beater but also, he gets the simplest things drastically wrong.
The Toffees kept on knocking on the door but they looked blunt in attack. When presented with the chance to work the Man Utd keeper they all too often seemed like an understudy who had forgotten their lines. This could prove a problem with their current plight.
Credit: @ManUtd
Fernandes got another shot off at goal but Pickford made a good save to tip it around the post. As the corner came in, it dropped into a dangerous area but nobody seemed capable of steering the ball into the goal.
Everton could play for an entire week and not score at the moment, so it was no surprise that Man Utd held onto the three points. This game was not a great watch but it papered over the cracks for the Dutch manager to convince himself that he is the Messiah the club needs.
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