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Manchester United beat Everton 2-1 at Goodison Park

Everton had a fairytale start thanks to Alex Iwobi, but the Blues’ undefeated run came to an end with a 2-1 defeat to Manchester United at Goodison Park.

Frank Lampard’s team seemed to be on their way to further success after two straight Premier League triumphs and seven games without defeat in all competitions when Iwobi stroked home a magnificent 25-yard finish past David de Gea with only five minutes on the clock.

However, Everton were the architects of their own demise, as blunders in possession allowed Anthony to equalise on 14 minutes before replacement Cristiano Ronaldo grabbed his 700th club goal shortly before halftime.

The Toffees were much better in the second half, with the welcome return of Dominic Calvert-Lewin off the bench, but despite a determined reaction, they couldn’t produce a leveller.

There won’t be many more night games under the lights at the Grand Old Lady, and that sentiment among Evertonians contributed to the usual loud atmosphere before kickoff between two English football heavyweights.

It definitely helped the hosts begin on the front foot, as Amadou Onana did brilliantly to break up play on midway and launch a counter down the right just seconds into the game. The Belgium international supplied Anthony Gordon, who was the only alteration from the XI that defeated Southampton the previous Saturday, but the striker overhit his cross with Neal Maupay lurking at the back post.

Onana got back at it a few seconds later, and this time it paid off. The Lille summer signing pounced on Casemiro, robbing the Brazilian of possession and allowing Demarai Gray to go towards goal. The attacker was unable to get a shot off, but the ball dropped to Iwobi, who obliged with a superb 25-yard curling finish into the upper right-hand corner, despite Goodison’s encouragement.

That should have given Everton a foundation to build on, but as United sought a fast equaliser, they were granted a way back into the game.

With 14 minutes remaining, Idrissa Gana Gueye mishandled a ball, leaving Martial a clear run to goal, and when the Frenchman slipped in Anthony down the right side of the box, the former Ajax player scored beyond Pickford.

After regaining control, United came dangerously close to grabbing the lead, with Bruno Fernandes putting in a dangerous low cross from the right that fizzed about the Everton area. With Martial, the Blues’ nemesis, poised to pounce, Pickford did well to race off his line and make a critical block.

Moments later, Martial was forced off with an injury and was replaced by Ronaldo, who had an immediate impression.

He gave the visitors the lead shortly before halftime after being part in a play that saw Fernandes squeeze a shot into the back of the goal, only for Ronaldo to be correctly called out for offside.

Iwobi was unable to get past Casemiro, and the midfielder’s precise pass allowed Ronaldo to gallop clear and send the ball beyond Pickford.

Everton needed to improve in the second half, and as the Goodison approval verified, they did so 10 minutes in as faster, more precise passing saw Gray and Gordon both on the heels of United’s full-backs.

On 61 minutes, excellent play across the pitch resulted in Vitalii Mykolenko lofting a ball to the back post for Iwobi to volley across goal, narrowly missing Gordon and Maupay.

After a wonderful interaction between Onana and Gana, Mykolenko sent another looping cross that caused fear in the United defence.

Gray’s inswinging corner was narrowly headed over by Onana as the Blues reclaimed the lead.

Lampard went to his bench to change the tide after 75 minutes, when James Garner came on to replace Seamus Coleman, who had joined the Blues from Manchester United on transfer deadline day. That was followed by the return of Calvert-Lewin to the Goodison Park field, much to the pleasure of Evertonians, when the striker replaced Gana.

It set up a tense conclusion as the Blues sought for a leveller, replacement McNeil whipping a cross into the box that just missed Calvert-head Lewin’s with 10 minutes remaining.

Marcus Rashford pounced on a fortunate deflection from James Tarkowski’s sliding tackle to round Pickford and score seconds later. But, while the away end rejoiced, the home supporters quickly joined in when the attempt was ruled off for the England international using his hand in the build-up.

Everton had one final chance, and it came shortly before four minutes of extra time when Gray whipped in a precise cross from the left that Onana glanced agonisingly wide.

Garner had time to go close to scoring against his former club with a beautiful 20-yard shot that de Gea had to push over the bar. Calvert-Lewin headed narrowly wide from two yards out from the resultant corner.

Kajal S

Kajal S

kajal

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