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Martial and Lingard goals give United much needed win over Everton

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Manchester United have returned to winning ways, beating Everton 2-0 at Goodison Park. Goals in the second half from Martial and Lingard were both assisted by Pogba, while the defence earned a second consecutive clean sheet.

Mourinho was forced to adjust his starting XI yet again due to injury and suspension. Lukaku and Ibrahimovic were ruled out, so Martial was given a chance as the main striker. He was flanked by Lingard and Mata on the wings. Young picked up a 3 game suspension for elbowing a Southampton player last game, so Lindelof was forced to come in at right back, with Shaw on the left hand side.

The first chance of the game fell to Rooney, who brought down a bouncing ball at the edge of the penalty area. His shot was blocked by Rojo, and the ball trickled out for a corner.

Not much happened in the early minutes of the game, as both teams were trying to deal with a heavy winds and pouring rain. Many passes were displaced, while a couple of players slipped on the ball.

The game begun to come to life, with Everton making the first big chance. Niasse won the ball from Jones, and looked to be through on goal. Thankfully for United, Rojo was able to come back and block the shot from Niasse.

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United started to control take control of the game, and came close to taking the lead. Pogba got the ball in space, and turned past his marker. He hit a long shot with his left, and it deflected off an Everton defender just wide of the far post.

United had one last chance before halftime, when Lingard drove the ball forward. However, his shot was well dealt with by Pickford, who pushed it out of play.

United started the second half on the front foot, and came close when a Mata long shot was tipped over the bar by Pickford.

It was Mata again with a chance, and came within inches from scoring. The diminutive Spaniard cut inside before letting a shot rip from outside the penalty area. It swerved past Pickford, but bounced back off the far post and out of play.

Manchester kept up the pressure, and came close to grabbing the opening goal. Pogba played a quick give and go with Lingard, flying down the left wing. His shot-cross hybrid couldn’t find a teammate, and rolled just wide of the post.

United finally found got the goal they’ve been desperately looking for. Lingard found Pogba out wide, who picked out Martial on the edge of the area. Tony settled the pass, opened up his hips, and curled a finish past Pickford to give United the lead.

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Pogba began to really dominate the team, as everything United did ran through him.

United couldn’t grab the second goal, and Everton almost found an equaliser against the run of play soon after. A cross from Holgate picked out Niasse in the middle, but his header was off target.

It all started to kick off, as both teams begun to fly into challenges with an increased intensity.

Rashford came on for Martial, who looked to have picked up some kind of arm injury, but came off with no problem.

Lingard almost made it two for United, but his shot was expertly saved by Pickford.

However, he would not be denied the second time around, doubling United’s lead with a wonderful effort. Pogba played him a pass, and Lingard dribbled into space, before curling one to the far post.

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United kept possession until the end, killing off any hopes for an Everton comeback. The game ended 2-0, which was a fair result as United were definitely the better team on the day.

Manchester United’s next match is against Derby County in the FA Cup.



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