A Pick and Mac’s treat
TOFFEES SICK AS EVEN KEEPER’S
JORDAN PICKFORD’S heroics kept Everton in the Premier League in last season’s relegation scrap.
But after a solo show of defiance from the England keeper to prevent an Old Trafford slaughter, not even Pickford’s brilliance might save Everton this time after a day of doom for Sean Dyche’s off-key stars. Don’t be fooled by the scoreline, this was a massacre in every other sense as a Scott
Mctominay-inspired Manchester United turned on the style to cement their top-four place.
With Bruno Fernandes, Marcel Sabitzer and in-form Mctominay running midfield, this was as dominant a display United have delivered under Erik ten Hag to end a week that started badly at Newcastle on an undoubted high.
The only downer in the Manchester sunshine was a late groin injury to Marcus Rashford that could yet impact their season with a big fortnight ahead at home and abroad. And that is a worry for Ten Hag, who said : “I can’t say at this moment with Rashford, I’m not a doctor. We have to wait, get a diagnosis then we can see how bad or good it is.”
Before his departure Rashford, in his 52nd game of the campaign for club and country, had played his part in a rampant display.
Pickford (left) had done all he could to stop Everton collapsing completely in a one-sided first half with a string of vital saves.
The Everton keeper said: “They are in the top four so we know they are a good side. Sometimes you have to hold your hands up.
“We have eight games left and they are eight finals.”
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Rashford’s pace harassed Everton’s defenders and only a last-ditch tackle by Alex Iwobi stopped the red-hot star shooting for goal.
From the corner, Fernandes picked out Antony and his shot rattled the post before rebounding to Aaron Wan-bissaka, who somehow put the ball wide.
An Everton goal was always a danger in such a wide open contest and Ellis Simms dragged a shot wide of David de Gea’s far post.
Ten Hag’s men clearly targeted Godfrey in a tactic which was borderline bullying but each time Antony pulled the trigger, in-form Pickford made the saves.
United could not keep wasting chances – and they did not. Jadon Sancho picked out Mctominay’s decisive darting run in a crowded box and the midfielder finally crashed a shot past Pickford.
It could have been 2-0 on halftime but once again Pickford made yet another eye-catching save from Antony.
Pickford continued his defiance tipping over a Fernandes header but substitute Martial wrapped up victory soon after.
The Frenchman produced a cool finish to beat Pickford from Rashford’s assist after a Seamus
Coleman mistake.
With Eriksen and Martial back and Brazilian Casemiro completing a four-match ban, upbeat Ten Hag (right) outlined the challenge ahead.
“It’s game by game, we know what we are capable of,” he said.
“We have had three games in six days but we showed great mentality and character.”