Manchester United’s first visit to Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium will be remembered for a clinical Benjamin Sesko finish that settled a hard-fought Monday-night contest.
Here are six talking points in the aftermath of an atmospheric encounter, which concluded with United’s players celebrating in front of our travelling section at the impressive modern arena...
ANOTHER MASSIVE RESULT
It was by no means a vintage United display, but the Reds were able to secure all three points in an intimate environment, just a day shy of two weeks since our last outing at West Ham. There may have been a glimmer of rust in the display on the ball, but the Reds battled for every inch off it, against a physical Everton team backed by a raucous home crowd. That's now 10 games unbeaten, to go with five wins and a draw since Carrick returned to the club as head coach. The boss has now matched the six league games unbeaten that the great Sir Matt Busby began his tenure with – only Herbert Bamlett (10) and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (12) have had longer lossless openings in charge of our men's first team.
BIG BEN STRIKES AGAIN
Whether he likes it or not, the Slovenian striker is becoming something of a super sub for United, with his latest contribution coming on the back of the stoppage-time equaliser at West Ham and the 94th-minute winner at home to Fulham, two games earlier. When Sesko was sent on for Amad just before the hour mark, the Reds were looking to find a spark in a performance that was yet to truly get going. Perhaps it never did, but Carrick's troops were clinical with the one clear-cut opportunity that presented itself, on a swift counter-attacking move that led to what felt like a proper United goal. Benjamin's first-time finish with 71 minutes on the clock, after he was spotted by Bryan Mbeumo, was devestating and the difference in the end.
A CRUCIAL CLEAN SHEET
We've kept three in Carrick's current spell, but the shutout on Merseyside shouldn't be underestimated, being our first away from Old Trafford in the Premier League in 19 games. United remained organised on a big pitch out of possession, but needed a couple of important interventions from goalkeeper Senne Lammens too. Had he not stopped Harrison Armstrong's clear-cut opening in the first minute of the second half, the latter period could have been a whole different story. A stretching stop to deny United Academy graduate Michael Keane was also necessary later down the line, and probably as close as the hosts came to drawing level.
YORO'S RETURN TO THE XI
Leny cut a figure of calm and composure in the back four, replacing the injured Lisandro Martinez, who Carrick reported had picked up a problem in the build-up to the game. On his first start under the head coach – and first since the draw away to Leeds in our opening fixture of the year – Yoro returned to the XI like he hadn’t been out of it, dealing well with the physical presence of Thierno Barry, who often locked onto him when the ball was launched forward. That meant an interesting one-on-one duel developed as the contest went on, but the young Frenchman’s cool head was a match for the frontman's energy and enthusiasm, which continued to whip up the excitable home crowd, particularly in the first half.
EVERTON'S NEW SURROUNDINGS
Our men's team's first visit to Everton’s new manor, after they bid an emotional farewell to Goodison Park over the summer, coincided with the Merseysiders’ biggest pre-match display at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Over 400 blue, white and yellow flags and banners were unfurled from the arena’s steep South Stand as the players emerged from the tunnel, to a spine-tingling roar and the rousing sound of their traditional walkout track, the theme tune from former BBC drama series Z-Cars. It was notable then how the striking atmosphere reverberated around the four sides of the modern arena, and repeatedly as a battling contest unfolded. Everton’s high energy and endeavour was appreciated by the home faithful, but it was the travelling contingent – who played their part in an atmospheric evening too – that were in full and jubilant voice as the final whistle sounded.
WHAT THE WIN MEANS
The result takes United back into the top four of the Premier League table, leapfrogging Chelsea who were held by Burnley on Saturday. Aston Villa also drew with Leeds over the weekend, meaning the gap to the third-placed Villans is down to three points, with 11 games to go. We've got the same bridge to fifth-placed Liverpool, after their stoppage-time winner to beat Nottingham Forest on Sunday, and we'll hope to build on a position that is continuing to strengthen in the race for Champions League football when we return to action at home to Crystal Palace on Sunday.