With a 2-0 victory over Everton in the first half, penalties from Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford guaranteed Man Utd’s return to winning ways in the Premier League. Bruno Fernandes became the leading scorer for United by starting the scoring in the 12th minute after Alejandro Garnacho was brought down in the box.
In Short
When it was decided that another foul had been committed inside the box later on, Fernandes passed the ball to Rashford who made no mistake in scoring the second goal for the Reds after 36 minutes.
Despite several opportunities for Everton on both sides of halftime, they will rue the missed chances as they returned empty-handed from lunchtime kick-off with three points in their quest for victory, following last week’s derby defeat – closed at Old Trafford.
First Half – Two Good Chances
It was Everton who won the pre-match toss, indicating that teams had switched ends before kickoff, meaning Man Utd would attack the Stretford End in the first half.
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However, the most initial action was seen on the other side of the field, the East Stand, where fans witnessed a dangerous start. The chief-in-chief Dwight McNeil was there, and it was his early free-kick in the box that created the first opportunity in the game, but neither Amadou Onana nor Ben Godfrey could connect it in front of the grateful André, who gathered it safely into the Reds’ goal.
However, Fernandes’ splendid long-range effort soon found the net for Eric Ten Hag’s side. The captain masterfully put Rashford through in a counterattack, who was thwarted by Jack Harrison’s commendable efforts to come back and block a free shot at goal. The resulting delivery found Rafael Varane, but the Frenchman directed it straight at Jordan Pickford.
Man Utd on fire
Man Utd’s next onslaught was the one that capitalized on the early goal in the competition. Garnacho, whose memorable overhead kick kickstarted the scoring in November’s reverse fixture, was brought down by James Tarkowski inside the penalty area and a spot-kick awarded by referee Simon Hooper was enough to beat Pickford. England’s goalkeeper on the left side.
Sean Dyche’s team almost immediately responded when McNeil volleyed a clear cross towards goal, but his clean strike narrowly missed the post from Onana’s side. On the other end, Fernandes attempted another effort from the right-hand side of Garnacho’s low cut-back, which he couldn’t keep under the crossbar in his first attempt outside the penalty area. Man Utd Academy graduate James Garner then saw that Onana had parried away a curling shot before the rebound was cleared by the same Everton midfielder. The spectators certainly had a good display in this competition, and McNeil couldn’t come any closer with a low shot just beyond the post, which came from directly in front of the post.
Missed Opportunities Prove Costly
It seemed like Everton was going to pay the price for missed opportunities as they were awarded a penalty to compensate, when the folks at Ten Hag’s side were honored with a second spot-kick in the afternoon, this time for Garnecho, a mesmerizing dart forward by Godfrey. Fernandes entrusted Rashford with this opportunity, who, after scoring on his left, sent the keeper the wrong way, becoming Man Utd’s top scorer in the league this season with seven goals.
A thrilling first half kept the chances coming even in the extra four minutes, with Casemiro seeing a long-range drive blocked, Victor Lindelof’s shot thwarted by Pickford, and, for the spectators’ relief, a Kobe Minu block denying McNeill to put United ahead 2-1. The final kick before the interval.
Second Half – Initial Setback
Despite creating several good opportunities in the first half, the visiting team trailing by two penalties managed to level the score by taking an advantage of a point after the half-time, as per expectations. However, there seemed to be no way through as within the first 45 minutes of the second half, Abdulaye Doucoure worked a deflected free-kick smartly at the end of the strategy, only to be thwarted by Scott McTominay’s knee.
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It felt like the third goal would almost seal it for Man Utd, and the open nature of the contest from the outset ensured that the Reds would have opportunities to increase their lead on the scoreline. Just before the 60th-minute mark, the ball reached Garnecho’s shooting boots twice inside the box – the first attempt being narrowly fired over, which found Fernandes at the other end of the goal, who squared it wide.
United’s shot-stopper Onana foiled Doucoure’s attempt to slot the ball into the near post, while his goalkeeping counterpart Pickford parried Fernandes’ low drive away from the post before clearing Lindelof’s deflected shot with his left boot.
Everton’s next two attempts after halving the deficit were brought within an hour, with two of their three options. Andre Gomes struck the free-kick straight into the United wall before Luis Dobbin’s next run in play soared repeatedly.
Everton kept trying to return to the battle, but the moment of presence at the goal eluded them. A probing cross from Dobbin missed the goalmouth, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s pullback was intercepted, before shortly after, straight into Onana’s arms from the left corner.
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The last real scare provided by the visitors’ attempt will be remembered, as time ran out with Man Utd in a strong position. Casemiro headed wide from a free-kick, although the flag was up, and Fernandes, who continued to display boundless energy until the 93rd minute, saw his final strike of the game go wide for a corner.
Before the final whistle blew, Man Utd were awarded their third penalty of the game, as Rashford was brought down by Gerard Branthwaite in the early stages of the match, but referee Hooper, after pointing towards the spot, immediately looked at his assistant referee’s offside signal.
The match concluded shortly afterward with no major impact, as Man Utd started the weekend with a win, narrowing the gap by three points with Tottenham, who sat fifth in the table, ahead of the North Londoners’ trip to Aston Villa on Sunday.
Match Details
Man Utd: N. Onana; Dalot, Varane, Lindelof, Shaw (Kamawinga 89); Matic (Amrabat 79), Casemiro; Fernandes (C), McTominay, Garnecho (Anthony 83), Rashford.
Unused Subs: Beindire, Mejbri, Onguene, Koulibaly, Eriksen, Amad.
Booking: McTominay.
Goals: Fernandes (Pen) 12, Rashford (Pen) 36.
Everton: Pickford; Godfrey, Tarkowski (C), Branthwaite, Mykolenko (Chermitt 88); Harrison (Dobbin 61), Garner (Young 75), M. Onana, McNeill; Doucoure (Gomes 61); Beto (Calvert-Lewin 61).
Unused Subs: Virginia, Coleman, Keane, Patterson.
Booking: M. Onana, Doucoure.
