From Old Trafford – Manchester United’s push for a top-four finish continued on Saturday with a comfortable 2-0 win over relegation strugglers Everton.
A goal in each half from Scott McTominay and Anthony Martial helped United maintain their unbeaten home record in 2023, though the match could have been over as a contest if not for the brilliance of Jordan Pickford in the Everton goal.
United started well and should have gone ahead early on when Marcus Rashford broke clear thanks to a mistake from Michael Keane. He shrugged off James Tarkowski and burst into the box but Pickford was equal to his effort.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka delivered a contender for miss of the season shortly after. Antony controlled a corner on the edge of the box before firing against Pickford’s post. The rebound fell to Wan-Bissaka but his tame left-footed effort dribbled wide.
Everton were still in the contest, however, and might have gone ahead through Ellis Simms. He played a one-two with Seamus Coleman and had all the time in the world to at least test David de Gea, but he pulled it wide.
Another huge chance for United then came with a long ball over the top from Bruno Fernandes which found Antony’s run, but the Brazilian could not beat Pickford when clean through on goal.
Demarai Gray, who was a real thorn in the side for United’s defence, looked for a penalty under a challenge from Harry Maguire but saw his appeal waved away and the decision confirmed by VAR.
United were then offered two more chances before the half-hour courtesy of long-balls over the top. De Gea first sent Antony through again but this time Ben Godfrey made the late challenge as the Brazilian hesitated. Rashford then collected a ball from Fernandes but Pickford was off his line quickly to deny him with his legs.
The deadlock was finally broken ten minutes before the break. McTominay exchanged passes with Jadon Sancho in a packed Everton defence and fired past Pickford at the near post.
Just before the break, United again could and should have scored. Antony breezed past Godfrey but again his strike was beaten away by the impressive Pickford.
Half-time saw Godfrey taken off as clearly Sean Dyche was growing tired of seeing Antony have chance after chance and replacement Vitalii Mykolenko did improve things on that front.
The second-half bore no relation to the first, with chances few and far between. Dyche made a double change on the hour with James Garner and Tom Davies coming on to try to create a spark in the Toffees…
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