Benjamin Sesko netted his fifth goal in six outings as Manchester United solidified their top-four standing with a 1-0 win at Everton.
Michael Carrick’s men were forced to work hard for their three points against a physical side and a barrage of rugby-like routines that are becoming a familiar sight in the Premier League.
But the result creates some breathing space between the Reds and those contesting for Champions League football, while narrowing the gap on Aston Villa to three.
Furthermore, United have extended their unbeaten league run to 10, with Carrick collecting an impressive 16 points from a possible 18 since his appointment.
With a return to Old Trafford beckoning this weekend and the feel-good factor growing within the supporter base, who knows how far this group can climb?
Carrick’s United get the job done against Everton.
Several narratives were at play on Monday evening, when a partisan Hill Dickinson Stadium braced for a competitive showing under floodlights.
The hosts were aiming to disrupt Carrick’s momentum while attempting to achieve a first league double over their Manchester rivals since David Moyes’ tenure at Old Trafford.
Everton had enjoyed a promising period themselves with just a solitary defeat in their previous six outings, harnessing outside hopes of finishing the night in seventh.
Nonetheless, their task would be anything but straightforward against a rejuvenated United, who arrived with aspirations of reclaiming European football.
Carrick was eager to utilise the benefits of an extensive break since a hard-earned London draw a fortnight ago, installing Leny Yoro into his starting XI in place of the injured Lisandro Martinez.
Champions League qualification remains the primary goal for the 44-year-old, and with Chelsea’s failure to win supplying further incentive, the travelling contingent were understandably vocal from the outset.
The opening quarter was frantic, with Everton applying an early press in an attempt to unnerve their guests. Thierno Barry nearly did just when he met Senne Lammens‘ clearance with an outstretched leg inside 10 seconds.
But it was United that settled quicker and fashioned several half-opportunities. The best of which saw James Tarkowski clearing an Amad effort off the line after Jordan Pickford’s initial stop.
Moyes’ side were content to sit deep and absorb pressure for large periods of the opening exchanges, holding only 25% of the ball with as many minutes played.
Expectedly, it made for an arduous spectacle of attack versus defence and another Premier League puzzle for Carrick and his backroom team to unlock.
As a result, Diogo Dalot enjoyed free rein of the right wing and offered ample threat, particularly with a rasping 30-yard effort on the half-hour mark that sailed agonisingly wide of the post.
Although Everton ventured further upfield as the half progressed, testing Lammens from distance once, it was a drab half of football, lacking any notable quality in the final thirds.
| First-half statistics via sofascore.com | Everton | Manchester United |
| Possession | 38% | 62% |
| Total shots | 2 | 7 |
| Goalkeeper saves | 1 | 1 |
| Total passes | 172 | 294 |
| Expected goals (xG) | 0.04 | 0.45 |
It was the men in blue who burst out of the blocks for the restart, shifting their mentality to that of a side befitting a brand new 52,769 stadium.
Their attacking onus presented pockets of space and a half opportunity for Bryan Mbeumo, before quickly reverting to type.
Carrick responded by introducing Sesko shortly before the hour mark, replacing Amad in hopes of creating a physical dynamic in the final third.
As has been the case in recent weeks, the Slovenian rewarded his decision with the breakthrough within 10 minutes at the end of a sweeping transitional move.
Matheus Cunha collected the ball deep and delivered a breathtaking 70-yard pass to Mbeumo, before the Cameroon international squared for an onrushing Sesko to slot calmly past Pickford.
Although the home side upped their intensity in response, the story of their territory and set-piece play was more befitting a Six Nations spectacle at times.
Referee Darren England was forced to call both captains aside in an attempt to quell the bizarre antics inside the six-yard box, with multiple bodies routinely thrown to the floor.
To their credit, Everton threw the kitchen sink to find an equaliser in the final 10 minutes but were routinely denied, almost allowing Sesko the opportunity to net a second in the process.
United move three points clear of Liverpool and Chelsea in fourth, and within as many behind Villa in third ahead of Sunday’s Old Trafford outing with Crystal Palace.
Let us know your thoughts about another win for Michael Carrick’s Manchester United in the comments or across our socials.
Photo by operations@newsimages.co.uk via depositphotos.com.
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