Everton 0-1 Manchester Utd: Match Report & Instant Reaction | Solid home display falls flat
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In a season of ups, downs, and sideway moves for Everton, the reverse fixture at Old Trafford was one of the impressive games of the season. Since then, Manchester United have replaced Ruben Amorim with Michael Carrick and they have been on the up since the change, going nine games unbeaten.
The teams had disappointing results heading into this match with Everton throwing away a lead against Bournemouth and United only managed a very late draw with West Ham. European football is within reach for both teams and a result in games like this one would help achieve that goal.
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Team News
David Moyes made three changes with Michael Keane and Tim Iroegbunam replacing Vitaliy Mykolenko and the suspended Jake O’Brien. KDH was at right back and Jarrad Branthwaite lined up at left back. Harrison Armstrong was back in the in the lineup with Dibling and George on the bench.
In the only change for United, Michael Carrick was without defender Lisandro Martinez so he was replaced by Leny Yoro.
Match Report
A night under the lights at Hill Dickinson Stadium started with a rousing rendition of Forever Everton before kickoff as the rain pelted down. United kicked off and they were quickly under pressure from the boys in blue. The early intensity was neutralized with a quick move by United which forced a great save from Pickford and a goal line clearance from Tarkowski.
Pickford was forced to parry a ball that Dalot delivered. Tarkowski then needed some medical support after an aerial duel with Amad led to an awkward fall. Everton were struggling to keep the ball although United’s control was mostly outside dangerous areas. Thierno Barry was taken down by Mainoo which required some treatment and a warmup from Beto. It was a shoulder issue which required an a adjustment of the strapping that he already had in use.
Ndiaye was starting to get on the ball which was encouraging. Some nice control from the Blues had the faithful applauding but it did not lead to any forward progression. A run by Barry showed some intent but United were given the first free kick which ended with Dalot fizzing a shot just wide of the Everton goal.
Iroegbunam was the start of a nice Everton move which had more purpose. Gueye was taken down by Amad on the edge of the box. The resulting free kick was delivered by Garner which forced a comfortable save from Lammens.
A crunching tackle by Garner on Cunha raised the level of the home fans. Fernandes was then apoplectic when the referee refused to give United a corner which should have led to a yellow card for dissent. Three minutes of additional time was wasted by both teams. The half was stop and start so a rethink at half time was needed as the expected goals (xG), for Everton was just 0.04 to United’s 0.45. Enough said…..
No changes for either team at the break. Which manager would stick or twist first? A fast start by Everton led to an opening for Armstrong who forced a nice save from Lammens. The pressure continued but there was no end product.
A loose pass from KDH led to a United chance but Mbuemo fired the ball well over the bar. Some nice holdup play by Barry saw KDH lose possession as Everton tried to counter attack. A slow ball back to Pickford was shielded by Tarkowski as Mbuemo went down like a sack of potatoes. Again, the laughing after was embarrassing for the United player.
Amad was replaced by the recently hot Sesko on 57 minutes. United were on the ball but their final pass was poor. Darren England finally ignored Mbuemo who was on the ground again which allowed the Blues to pile forward. A lovely move down the left saw a Dewsbury Hall shot deflected wide by United. Tyrique George was readied to enter the match as Armstrong and Fernandes got out their handbags.
Another corner for Everton saw Tarkowski drill a ball goalward but Lammens pulled it in. Incredibly, Cunha delivered a scything ball to Mbuemo who slowed the attack and waited for Sesko to catch up. Unfortunately, Tarkowski could not keep up with him and the forward continued his goalscoring streak as he slotted the ball into the corner of Pickford’s goal.
Everton brought on George and another corner was nicely controlled by Lammens. The young winger was immediately on the ball and forced another corner. The big boys were in the box but Lammens punched the ball clear. Pickford was given a yellow card when the referee stopped play for a player to enter the match even though he had not even taken of his tracksuit.
Iroegbunam was taken off for Beto as Moyes threw on two strikers. Gueye sliced a ball wide as Everton tried to get an equalizer. Michael Keane decided to take a pop at goal and his shot needed a scintillating save from Lammens. The resulting corner was delayed as a pushing match led to a yellow card for both Tarkowski and Maguire.
The final five minutes had Everton on the front foot but they could not pierce the United backline. Everton’s 10th corner was delivered by Garner but the United defense stood firm. A rare foray into the Everton half led to United’s first corner as five minutes of added time was announced.
A long free kick from Pickford developed into a counter attack from United but this time Pickford prevented Sesko from sliding the ball into the net. Everton immediately broke down the pitch and a blistering shot from George needed a great save from Lammens. Tarkowski and Cunha were at each other after Bruno Fernandes was given a yellow for a poor foul on Dewsbury-Hall.
The push was stopped as Darren England blew the final whistle to give Manchester three points that were not well earned. Twelve shots, with four being on target led to zero big chances for Everton. United took their chance and slinked off back down the East Lancs Road knowing that they nicked this one.
Everton’s Man of the Match
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall: Throughout the match, Everton were driven forward by KDH. He created Everton’s one real chance and made 13 defensive contributions. His touchmap showed his influence across the width of the pitch. If there was a forward who could do something with his buildup play then we might have something.
Instant Reaction
This was a nearly-but-not-quite game for much of the match. The first half was short of chances with Pickford needing to make a couple of saves and Lammens needing to stay awake other than the Garner free kick. Everton’s second half was much better but the counter attack goal from Sesko tipped the scales in favour of the Mancs. Once again, Everton’s frailties going forward were on show as the team struggled to get the important goal. A final xG of 0.67 says it all despite the Blues controlling most of the second half.
There has been a lot of discussion over the last two weeks about the atmosphere at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Tonight, as Everton battled United for every inch of the grass, that support was very obvious. No frustrating moans or boos. Even after the United goal, the support continued and there was an appreciation for the work that was being done by the boys in blue. Even at the end there was an appreciation for the play that the crowd had seen. They were disappointed but they were not booing.
Harrison Armstrong was given the chance on the wing and his work throughout the match was strong. Unfortunately, if you don’t contribute going forward then there is problem when we are already short of attacking play. Perhaps Armstrong is being held back by Moyes. We already have both Gueye and Iroegbunam sitting deep, stifling Armstrong is not the answer. When George came on there was more attacking impetus. He came on when we had gone behind but he had been waiting for at least five minutes to enter the match. The question is whether Moyes was making the move for the win?