Everton 0-1 Manchester United: Michael Carrick’s unbeaten start saw the Red Devils return to the top four, with Benjamin Sesco coming off the bench to find the back of the net again.
Benjamin Sesko came off the bench to score the winning goal (Image: Carl Lecine)
Benjamin Sesco was once again Manchester United’s savior on Monday night, scoring the winner in a rare moment of wonder against Everton.
The Slovenian came off the bench to score his second successive goal following his goal against West Ham, with the 22-year-old completing a superb counter-attack to score his first goal and lift Michael Carrick’s side back into the top four.
There was a lack of quality and chances in the first half, but Senne Lamence was hit in the heart just after the kick-off when he tried to play a long ball with just his third touch. His clearance was blocked, but the rebound went in United’s favor.
The Red Devils had a chance to take an early lead with Amad scoring two tries, but on the second Jordan Pickford dropped low and drained the ball, forcing James Tarkowski to clear the ball off his line.
David Moyes came from behind to claim his first win at Old Trafford despite his side losing one man, but United got their revenge with the front three of Sesco, Matheus Cunha and Brian Mbeumo working together to fight all the way down the pitch, with Sesco firing past Jordan Pickford.
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Everton were looking for an equaliser, with Lamence needing to deny Tyrik George’s long-range shot in second-half stoppage time, but the hosts came close to leveling the score, but United kept their first away goal since March. As the Red Devils’ resurgence continues, here are five talking points from Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Spe Sab Sesco
The Slovenian hasn’t exactly had an easy time since signing for a big fee from RB Leipzig, but he continues to remind us of his quality and looks like a player on the rise. Sesco has become a big influence off the bench. His recent equalizer against West Ham was one of his best moments to date, and he looked very composed when he scored the winning goal against Everton.
Cunha was preferred to lead the line at Everton, perhaps because of the influence Sesco usually has when coming off the bench in the second half. He’s done well enough, but becoming known as a super-sub is something the striker probably doesn’t want in the long term.
What you get for £200 million
In the summer, the Old Trafford side did not hesitate to spend big to address what they considered to be problematic positions in their front three. Cunha, Mbeumo and Sesco were signed for a total of £200m and the trio have often played together up front.
Michael Carrick has now won five of his six games in charge (Image: Paul Ellis/AFP)
Monday night’s game was tough at times, but it was United’s trio who scored the all-important goals. Cunha’s wonderful long ball into space cleared Mbeumo. He had the patience to wait for Sesco’s run and body the striker’s first pass which he slammed home. This is proof that money can really buy quality.
for carrick
Ahead of the Everton fixture, Carrick’s former United teammate Gary Neville continued to insist that the Red Devils needed to find the best manager for the summer, but insisted that based purely on reputation and CV, Carrick was not Carrick.
His first four wins in his stint had everyone gulping, but the draw against West Ham took the buzz down a notch or two. They took a point away from the Hammers but got back to winning ways at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, even if they were well below average. But as the saying goes, the good team wins despite the bad play.
champions league race
It was a weekend in which Liverpool won late on, Chelsea dropped two points in the closing stages and United grabbed three points. It looks like the top four is now three in one, but fifth place could be the route to Champions League qualification thanks to England’s European domination this season.
Everton failed to capitalize on limited chances
However, those who finish in sixth place will miss out on a huge amount of wealth. Aston Villa could still be caught up in this situation, but we’ve seen this weekend that the big clubs will continue to drop points and give their rivals a chance. The fact that we’re here can be a big plus or a minus, depending on which camp you’re in. A few weeks into the campaign, Liverpool looked light years ahead of United, but the fact that they are now almost even says a lot about both teams.
Branthwaite is still blue
Had Everton been more willing to sell, the left-back might have been in red on Monday night, but Jarrad Branthwaite remains one of Merseyside’s most highly-rated players. The versatile defender played as a left-back despite usually occupying a central position.
His qualities were such that within two years the people of Manchester were chasing him. Everton rejected two offers, the highest being a £50 million package, a valuation that United fell short of. They eventually had to go elsewhere and ended up signing Matthijs de Rite. Branthwaite is expected to have a great career ahead of him and the Toffees’ resolve could be tested once again.
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