Edinson Cavani and Anthony Martial struck late on for Manchester United away at Everton, as the Reds deservedly booked a place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals. In front of 2,000 home fans, United absolutely dominated proceedings throughout the 90 minutes, but just couldn’t find a finish.
With three games to come in six days, United Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made nine changes from the XI that started in the 6-2 win over Leeds, with Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire the only player retained.
Carlo Ancelotti, meanwhile, made three alterations to the Toffees team that beat Arsenal 2-1, with the main one of interest taking place in goal, as Robin Olsen came in for Jordan Pickford.
United picked up where we left off against Leeds and started brightly. Moving the ball quickly and with precision, the Reds opened up the Toffees’ defence with ease at times. The only thing we were lacking was a finish.
Cavani, who netted his first goal for the Reds at Goodison Park in last month’s Premier League meeting, stepped up to make the vital breakthrough two minutes from the end, with a brilliant curling effort after being found by substitute Anthony Martial, who himself doubled the margin of victory in the final seconds of injury time.
It was exactly what United deserved and it maintained our superb domestic away form. On seven minutes, Paul Pogba brilliantly backheeled to Donny van de Beek in the box, but his effort was well blocked from close range.
An excellent move from the Reds on 16 minutes led to Alex Telles crossing from the left, but Cavani was denied – twice – at the back post. It was Mason Greenwood’s turn to go close next, this time with a low glancing header which flicked off the outside of the far post as Olsen stood watching. Pogba then headed straight at Olsen as United continued to utterly dominate the opening half an hour of the match.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin registered the hosts’ first effort on target when he headed straight into the arms of Dean Henderson on 35 minutes, and, two minutes later, our no.26 superbly tipped away a Gylfi Sigurdsson free-kick.
Martial found Cavani, he cut in from the right flank and unleashed a left-footed shot into the net from the edge of the area, two minutes before the end of normal time. United’s position was strengthened further when Carlo Ancelotti’s side left themselves exposed high up the field, allowing Martial to finish them off on the counter in stoppage time.
