Match report Everton v Man Utd Premier League 7 November 2020

The second period began with Everton showing a fresh sense of conviction and determination. It wasn’t reflected in goalscoring chances, but the tackles soon began flying in. Fernandes was booked for a late one, and VAR checked for a strong Maguire challenge on Digne. The offside flag had already been raised, regardless, but the skipper could still have been punished, although the video assistant ultimately decided the skipper’s challenge had fallen within the bounds of respectability.

The home side were enjoying the majority of possession – in contrast to the first period – but struggled to slice through the Reds, and the match entered the final 20 minutes tight and testy but with United by and large in control. Solskjaer’s men had a great chance to double the advantage in the 72nd minute, when Fred’s chipped through ball found Rashford onside. The England forward just couldn’t turn the ball into his stride, but still tested Pickford with a stinging strike which the Blues goalkeeper did well to repel with his legs.

Minutes later, Rashford found space on the left and centred for Mata, on the edge of the box, but the Spaniard didn’t quite connect sweetly enough with his low shot.
At the other end there was resolute defending, as a dangerous Iwobi cross was flicked away by Maguire, and substitute Axel Tuanzebe – on for Luke Shaw – performed solidly in the unfamiliar left-back spot.
But for all their crosses, corners and desire, Everton never really made much of an imprint when probing around the United box.

Coleman pulled back for Doucore in added time, but the midfielder’s shot was scooped harmlessly over David De Gea’s upright.
Minutes later, with Everton pushed up high, Fernandes broke and set up substitute Cavani for a straightforward chance which he buried easily past the onrushing Pickford. And that was that. The full-time whistle blew seconds later, to the delighted screams of

“Get in”

from the superbly committed Scott McTominay.