United’s win over Everton eases pressure on Solskjaer
liverpool — Manchester United eased the pressure on manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with a 3-1 win at Everton in the Premier League on Saturday with Bruno Fernandes scoring twice and Edinson Cavani grabbing his first for the club.
United have failed to win at home in the league this season and there were questions over Solskjaer’s future after the midweek defeat to Istanbul Basaksehir in the Champions League.
But United, who move up to 13th and ten points, responded with a display which, while far from smooth, was full of character, epitomised by captain Harry Maguire’s determined display at the back.
Meanwhile, Leeds United suffered another a heavy defeat with a 4-1 loss at Crystal Palace.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side, who were beaten by the same scoreline at home by Leicester City on Monday, slumped to 14th place with the defeat while Palace moved up to sixth, on 13 points, just three points behind leaders Southampton.
Scott Dann headed Palace into a 12th minute lead with a thundering header from an Eberi Eze corner.
Leeds thought they had drawn level with a nice finish from Patrick Bamford but the effort was ruled out for a narrow offside by VAR.
After that let-off, Palace then doubled their lead with a brilliant freekick from Eze, his first goal for the club, a 20 metre shot into the top corner.
“We knew we had to get three points today. It’s early in the season and we don’t look at the table but the points we have accumulated isn’t good enough for this club,” said Maguire.
“It’s important to bounce back from setbacks. We’ve been questioned but we know we don’t answer them in 90 minutes, we answer them day in, day out. The lads are working tirelessly for this club, everyone wants to improve and do better. The manager has to pull the lads off the training ground.”
The pressure on Solskjaer intensified when Everton took the lead in the 19th minute with Brazilian winger Bernard’s low drive through Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s legs squeezing in the bottom corner.
Six minutes later though, United drew level when Fernandes met a Luke Shaw cross from the left with a perfectly angled and firm header.
Everton left back Lucas Digne then struck the post from a promising position but United were growing into the game and it was no surprise when they took the lead.
Fernandes floated in a cross from the left which Marcus Rashford rose to head into the bottom corner but although the striker failed to connect, the ball went in off the post.
Substitute Cavani added the third in stoppage time, finishing off a counterattack led by Fernandes for his first goal since joining the club on deadline day last month. —