Daily Trust

Man Utd smash Everton 4-0 to go joint top

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Romelu Lukaku was on target as Manchester United secured a 4-0 win over Everton that sent them joint top of the table.

United took the lead when Antonio Valencia produced a superb strike from the edge of the area on four minutes, connecting with Nemanja Matic’s pass on the bounce to power the ball past Jordan Pickford.

They should have doubled their lead on 26 minutes, but Lukaku somehow missed the target from close range.

Wayne Rooney, returning to Old Trafford, threatened an equaliser in the first half when he dragged a shot wide, and he forced David De Gea into a save soon after the break. They went close again just after the hour mark when Gylfi Sigurdsson got an effort away from close range, but De Gea was again equal to it.

Juan Mata then won a free kick on the edge of the area and stepped up to rattle the post.

United eventually increased their in the 83rd minute, shortly after Rooney had been substitute­d, as Lukaku set up Henrikh Mkhitaryan to slot home.

Lukaku was able to add his name to the scoresheet in the 90th minute when the ball came back into his path after he had struck a free kick into the wall.

Substitute Anthony Martial then added a fourth from the penalty spot after Morgan Schneiderl­in’s handball to give United an equal record to league leaders Manchester City.

 ??  ?? United players celebrate taking an early lead during a period of torrential downpour in the opening five minutes
United players celebrate taking an early lead during a period of torrential downpour in the opening five minutes

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