Africa-Press – Ghana. Anthony Gordon’s goal was his second under Everton boss Frank Lampard, having also netted in the 3-0 win over Leeds
Everton secured what could prove a priceless victory in their battle to avoid relegation as lacklustre Manchester United were beaten at Goodison Park.
Frank Lampard’s side were plunged into even deeper crisis when they lost at fellow strugglers Burnley in midweek to leave them facing the prospect of dropping into the bottom three this weekend if results went against them.
In a game low on quality but high in tension, Everton’s victory came courtesy of Anthony Gordon’s 27th-minute drive, which took a heavy deflection off United captain Harry Maguire to leave keeper David de Gea wrong-footed.
Everton keeper Jordan Pickford made two important early saves from Marcus Rashford and a vital late block from Cristiano Ronaldo, but there was rarely any sense of siege as United lacked urgency, failing to break through in another blow to their hopes of making the Premier League’s top four.
Follow reaction to Everton v Man Utd plus live text and radio commentary of the rest of Saturday’s Premier League games
Everton show grit they will need
This could be a huge result in Everton’s season, stopping the rot and lifting some of those dark clouds that were starting to gather over Goodison.
Everton’s win was as far from a classic as it is possible to be but in the wider context it could mean more than so many others this season.
Frank Lampard’s side remain in trouble but the psychological lift provided by this victory, which removes the prospect of dropping into the bottom three for now at least, saw an explosion of joy around this famous old stadium when referee Jon Moss blew the final whistle.
Everton dug deep for victory and had several figures who personified exactly what they will need if they are to maintain their Premier League status.
Everton have won five and lost eight in all competitions since Frank Lampard took over, with all five wins coming at Goodison Park
It was fitting that Gordon was the match-winner, the local hero loved by Everton fans for his tireless energy and invention. The supporters warm to him because of his attitude and his deflected strike was a fitting reward.
Richarlison is another who has been exempt from criticism, apart from the fact he might have scored more goals. The Brazil striker’s work-rate is exceptional, chasing down every lost cause and he brought Goodison Park to its feet in the second half when he juggled the ball on his head on the touchline before winning a corner. He reacted by pumping his fists at the Gwladys Street End to raise the temperature inside an already frantic stadium.
And, once more, goalkeeper Pickford made a vital contribution, denying Rashford twice early on as well as Paul Pogba and Ronaldo after the break.
The deafening noise at the final whistle told the story, as Lampard joined in celebrations with the fans at the conclusion of a win that cannot be over-valued.
Embarrassing display by Red Devils
Manchester United were still chasing a place in the top four and a slot in next season’s Champions League at kick-off. They played as if no-one had told them.
United’s display was embarrassingly mediocre, a gift for an Everton side looking anywhere for assistance to ease their own troubles.
It seems certain Ajax coach Erik ten Hag will be United’s next manager, and if he was watching this he will have a notebook full of uncomplimentary references and names crossed out of his plans.
Everton were nervous and tense but were ultimately placed under no serious pressure by a United side strolling around without the slightest sense of urgency, without any sense they still had something to fight for this season.
The passing was sloppy, so many physical challenges were lost. It was a flat performance that suggests these players have given up on getting any inspiration from interim manager Ralf Rangnick – and he could be forgiven for giving up on them, so abject was this performance.
It was only in the final minutes that Everton showed any serious signs of panic in defence, and the biggest condemnation of United is that Lampard’s struggling side were themselves average but still deserved the win because they were prepared to fight to earn it.
Ronaldo’s late yellow card for kicking the ball away could also be marked down as a rare act of aggression rather than the petulance it was, such was the timid, desperate nature of their performance.
If, as is expected, Ten Hag is the next United manager, what a task he is taking on.
Player of the match
GordonAnthony Gordon
with an average of 7.77
EvertonEvertonEvertonMan UtdManchester UnitedManchester United
EvertonAvgSquad number24Player nameGordonAverage rating
7.77
Squad number8Player nameDelphAverage rating
7.36
Squad number1Player namePickfordAverage rating
7.33
Squad number19Player nameMykolenkoAverage rating
7.31
Squad number22Player nameGodfreyAverage rating
7.28
Squad number7Player nameRicharlisonAverage rating
7.17
Squad number17Player nameIwobiAverage rating
7.12
Squad number23Player nameColemanAverage rating
7.04
Squad number11Player nameGrayAverage rating
7.03
Squad number6Player nameAllanAverage rating
6.93
Squad number5Player nameKeaneAverage rating
6.79
Squad number16Player nameDoucouréAverage rating
6.60
Squad number9Player nameCalvert-LewinAverage rating
6.16
Manchester UnitedAvgSquad number1Player namede GeaAverage rating
4.74
Squad number27Player nameAlex TellesAverage rating
3.59
Squad number8Player nameMataAverage rating
3.47
Squad number7Player nameCristiano RonaldoAverage rating
3.47
Squad number2Player nameLindelöfAverage rating
3.43
Squad number17Player nameFredAverage rating
3.40
Squad number25Player nameSanchoAverage rating
3.37
Squad number29Player nameWan-BissakaAverage rating
3.35
Squad number10Player nameRashfordAverage rating
3.33
Squad number31Player nameMaticAverage rating
3.33
Squad number18Player nameBruno FernandesAverage rating
3.23
Squad number36Player nameElangaAverage rating
3.14
Squad number6Player namePogbaAverage rating
2.76
Squad number5Player nameMaguireAverage rating
2.61
Line-upsMatch StatsLive Text
Line-upsEverton
Formation 4-3-3
1Pickford23Coleman5Keane22Godfrey19Mykolenko6Allan8Delph17Iwobi24Gordon9Calvert-Lewin7Richarlison
1PickfordBooked at 86mins23Coleman5Keane22Godfrey19Mykolenko6Allan8DelphSubstituted forDoucouréat 84’minutes17Iwobi24GordonBooked at 75mins9Calvert-LewinSubstituted forGrayat 71’minutes7Richarlison
Substitutes
2Kenny4Holgate11Gray15Begovic16Doucouré21André Gomes32Branthwaite33Rondón36Alli
Man Utd
Formation 4-2-3-1
1de Gea29Wan-Bissaka2Lindelöf5Maguire27Telles17Fred31Matic25Sancho18Bruno Fernandes10Rashford7Cristiano Ronaldo
1de Gea29Wan-Bissaka2Lindelöf5Maguire27Telles17FredSubstituted forPogbaat 36’minutesBooked at 51mins31MaticSubstituted forMataat 64’minutes25Sancho18Bruno Fernandes10RashfordSubstituted forElangaat 64’minutes7Cristiano RonaldoBooked at 87mins
Substitutes
4Jones6Pogba8Mata14Lingard20Dalot22Heaton26Henderson36Elanga46Mejbri
Referee:Jonathan MossAttendance:39,080Match StatsHome TeamEvertonAway TeamMan UtdPossessionHome32%Away68%ShotsHome7Away12Shots on TargetHome3Away4CornersHome5Away7FoulsHome4Away10Live TextPost update
Match ends, Everton 1, Manchester United 0.
90’+6’Full Time
Second Half ends, Everton 1, Manchester United 0.
90’+5’Post update
Harry Maguire (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90’+5’Post update
Foul by Alexander Iwobi (Everton).
90’+3’Post update
Attempt saved. Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Harry Maguire with a headed pass.
89’Post update
Foul by Alex Telles (Manchester United).
89’Post update
Anthony Gordon (Everton) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
87’Booking
Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United) is shown the yellow card.
86’Booking
Jordan Pickford (Everton) is shown the yellow card.
84’Substitution
Substitution, Everton. Abdoulaye Doucouré replaces Fabian Delph because of an injury.
83’Post update
Attempt blocked. Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Manchester United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Jadon Sancho.
83’Post update
Attempt blocked. Harry Maguire (Manchester United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Jadon Sancho.
82’Post update
Attempt missed. Juan Mata (Manchester United) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Jadon Sancho.
81’Post update
Attempt saved. Richarlison (Everton) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Alexander Iwobi.
81’Post update
Attempt saved. Paul Pogba (Manchester United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Cristiano Ronaldo.
79’Post update
Foul by Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Manchester United).
79’Post update
Richarlison (Everton) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
77’Post update
Corner, Manchester United. Conceded by Ben Godfrey.
75’Booking
Anthony Gordon (Everton) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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