Manchester United have kept their hopes of an unlikely Champions League berth alive, edging out Everton 1-0 in an arm wrestle at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Much of the contest was fought out in midfield, with little separating the teams in attack. Ultimately it was left to Anthony Martial to net the decisive goal on a special day for United.
The club unveiled the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand, renaming Old Trafford’s South Stand in honour of the Mancunian legend as fans paid tribute with a stunning pregame display.
Goalscorer Martial was the first of either side to go closest, firing just wide of Joel Robles’ far post. Replays showed a slight touch off Leighton Baines sent the ball beyond the goal frame.
Approaching the interval, United saw a penalty shout turned away. Martial was brought down under the challenge of John Stones, but spot kick claims were correctly waved away.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 53rd minute as Martial found himself well positioned to turn home substitute Timothy Fosu-Mensah’s ball.
Phil Jagielka came within inches of equalising only moments later, thumping a header off the crossbar, and then again in the 83rd minute, forcing a superb reflex save from David De Gea at a corner. That was as close as the visitors went as the Red Devils hung on to move back into fifth place.
Hosts prevail in forgettable fixture
Aside from Martial’s winner and Jagielka’s pair of chances, it is tough to recall any noteworthy moments that emerged from this tussle. For the most part, both sides were uninspiring and offered little to get excited about.
As things stand, Louis van Gaal will care little about the drab performance as United’s strong league form continues. They have now won four of their last five Premier League fixtures and sit in fifth place with Champions League football beckoning.
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It will be more concerning for Roberto Martinez and Everton, however, as their patchy form continues, now 12th and with some ground standing between them and the top half. They created only a pair of clearcut chances with a concerning lack of crispness, and worringly, neither of those were from open play.
Blind makes up for size with smarts
Lining up at centre-back once more, Daley Blind was faced with a tricky physical test against monolithic striker Romelu Lukaku. The height difference tells the story – Everton’s striker boasts 11 centimetres more (191) than the Dutchman (180) and a significantly more muscular stature.
But Blind more than made up for the size differential with an astute performance in the heart of defence, limiting the Belgian to just one shot, a blocked effort at the top of the six-yard box.
Blind tackled the situation realistically, often allowing Lukaku to pick up possession and hold the ball, but shut down the danger quickly with intelligent play.
Three key interceptions were highlighted by a crucial intervention in the 34th minute. The Toffees opened up the field with a quick long ball to Lukaku, who attempted to slide in Aaron Lennon with a deft back-heel. Blind read the play expertly, stepping up and killing off the opportunity.
Replaced in the 81st minute, Blind’s performance caps off an excellent week for him on a personal level having captained the Netherlands against England at Wembley midweek.
Super sub Fosu-Mensah
The little-known Ghanaian-born Dutch youngster entered the fray at half time in Marcos Rojo’s stead for just his fourth Manchester United first team appearance and was involved in two critical plays.
The first was the goal. Fosu-Mensah made an intelligent run inside Juan Mata on the right-hand side, teeing up Martial who was left with the simplest of tasks to give United the lead.
As Everton continued to search for an equaliser, they created a late opening. Seamus Coleman drilled a low ball into a dangerous area in search of the incoming Lukaku, but the striker could not make up the ground in time. With Belgian counterpart Kevin Mirallas waiting in the wings for the disputed ball, Fosu-Mensah nipped in first to make a vital clearance.
The 18-year-old is another in a batch of future stars unearthed by United this season and takes his place alongside Marcus Rashford as ones to watch.
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