EVERTON 1, MAN UNITED 2
Substitute Cristiano Ronaldo’s 700 career club goal saw Manchester United end their away-day blues with victory at Everton.
The Portuguese made the decisive contribution as United posted a rare away league win – they had lost eight of their last 10 on the road.
And the points lifted the Reds to fifth place and only one point adrift of the top four Champions League places.
But it was done the hard way after Alex Iwobi had given Everton, seeking to extend their unbeaten league run to seven games, an early lead.
The Reds hit back with first-half strikes from Antony and Ronaldo, 20 years and two days after his first one for Sporting Lisbon, against Everton who before kick-off boasted the best defensive record in the Premier League.
Erik ten Hag’s side then managed the second period without any undue difficulty as they became the first side to win 100 Premier League games in which they had conceded the first goal.
It was also United’s seventh win from their last nine competitive games since the early season debacle at Brentford.
And the Europa League win in Cyprus followed by success at Goodison Park ensured the Reds put behind them their derby mauling by City last Sunday.
Embed from Getty ImagesUnited captain Bruno Fernandes praised his side, saying: “We defended really well. This is what it is about, togetherness and make the best for the team.
“We conceded a goal from nothing, but we played really well in the first half. In the last 20 minutes of the second half, we could do a bit better, but it is good to get back on the winning track.
“We want to show this spirit and togetherness, this is what made us win four games in a row and get this win.”
And on Ronaldo’s 700th club goal, Fernandes added: “It is tough still counting goals for Ronaldo because every week seems like a new record.
“Really happy because he has been working hard to get this goal. Today he got the goal and the win and that is the most important for him, that the team won.”
Ten Hag was also delighted by the character shown by his players, explaining: “We were quickly 1-0 down but the reaction of the team was good. One of our aims is to deal better with setbacks and they stayed composed. It was quite impressive from our side.
“In the first half we were pressing well. Everton did not come out and it was difficult for them to get a lot of crosses in, we didn’t allow them, and I am happy with that.
“Casemiro (who was at fault for Everton’s goal) will anticipate quickly, and we saw during the game how important he is, winning a lot of balls. He also played the ball for Ronaldo. He grew into the game.
“We should have scored a third and then it was game over. That is the next step we have to make, but we are happy with the result and also for a lot of periods happy with the performance.
“Goodison Park is difficult, the crowd behind them, and they were on a good run, seven games unbeaten.”
Everton manager Frank Lampard said: “The game was lost in the first half from our point of view.
“It was a great start and in a way it made us a tiny bit passive. It was better in the second half, and we showed a lot of spirit in the end.
“It was disappointing because we had been moving in the right direction. Manchester United had good possession and moved the ball well. There is a lot I can reflect on in the game but when you look at it in the cold light of day it was two of our mistakes that led to goals.
Ten Hag made four changes to the team that lost 6-3 to Manchester City in the derby last Sunday.
Summer signing Casemiro was handed his first Premier League start in midfield, while Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw and Anthony Martial also came in.
Raphael Varane, Tyrell Malacia, Scott McTominay and Jadon Sancho dropped down to the bench.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who started in the Europa League, was also on the bench.
Lampard makes one change to the Everton side that won 2-1 at Southampton last weekend.
It came in the forward line with Anthony Gordon replacing Dwight McNeil, who dropped down to the bench.
United, twice 4-0 in the opening half of games this season, got off to the worst possible start falling behind in the fifth minute.
Casemiro was dispossessed in midfield by Amadou Onana and then Demarai Gray set up Iwobi who curled a shot from 22 yards into the top corner, a stunning finish.
It was the third goal the Reds have conceded in the opening 15 minutes of league games with only Bournemouth leaking more with five.
United were level in the 15th minute as Everton’s Idrissa Gana Gueye lost possession. Martial released Antony and the Brazilian lofted a shot past keeper Jordan Pickford for his fourth goal for the club following his summer transfer and third in three league games.
The Reds had an enforced change to make just short of the half hour when Martial, who hurt his back in the pre-match warm up, limped off to be replaced by Ronaldo.
United had the ball in the net for a second time, but Bruno Fernandes’ effort was ruled as Ronaldo had strayed offside in the build-up.
They ought to have taken the lead when Rashford floated a delightful cross from the left but Casemiro’s diving header flew wide when he ought to have hit the target.
But the Reds were ahead in the 44th minute as Ronaldo struck.
Iwobi lost the ball to Casemiro who sent Ronaldo away down the left and he cut in before slotting a shot low past Pickford, his second goal of the campaign.
Ronaldo had a chance to increase the lead just before the hour when he headed over from Casemiro’s cross when Fernandes was better placed behind him had he ducked.
United’s game management was excellent as they dominated possession and still created chances as Christian Eriksen’s drive cleared the crossbar and Rashford fired wide.
Rashford had the ball in the net for a third time, but it was ruled out by VAR after a check for handball.
The striker had nicked the ball past James Tarlowki who knocked the ball on to his hand before he found the net after the ball rebounded back to him off the keeper.
United’s second change with seven minutes left saw Eriksen replaced by Scott McTominay.
The Reds had to withstand an Everton onslaught in the four minutes of added time as they threw caution to the wind, even sending Pickford forward for corners.
And Toffees’ substitute James Garner, on his debut after moving from Old Trafford in the summer, almost conjured an equaliser as his curled shot was clawed away for a corner by David De Gea.
Ten Hag even threw on Raphael Varane as an extra defender in the four minutes of stoppage time to shore up their back line which held firm.