A thrilling and outclassing display of fine football was put forward by Everton in their match against Manchester United at Goodison Park. Experts believe that it was a match that exposed all lapses and problems around Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s tactics.
It was a tight fight to secure a place in the top four of the league table, but it turned out to be a little other than torture against Everton.
Before Brazilian scored an acrobatic volley in the 13th minute of the game to set the tone for an incredible display from Marco Silva’s side, Richarlison kept Manchester United goalkeeper, David de Gea on his toes.
De Gea was conquered by Sigurdsson’s low 25-yard drive, going down late, as Everton snatched total control.
Everton, however, did not let up after the break, Lucas Digne striking from outside the 18-yard box after De Gea cleared out a corner, before substitute Theo Walcott ran clear on to Sigurdsson’s pass to net in the fourth.
Manchester United have been defeated in six of their past eight games in all competitions, while a fifth successive away defeat – for the first time since 1981 – leaves them facing the prospect of Europa League football next season.
Yes, quite a lot would be made of Manchester United’s obvious problems, but it would be unfair to ignore an incredible performance from a side who drew Liverpool and beat Chelsea, Arsenal and United in their past four home games without conceding a goal.
Solkjaer has absolutely inherited a mess, the early gloss from his arrival has worn off and players like Lukaku and Pogba, who came back on the pitch after Jose Mourinho was sacked, look back to their bad old ways.
Now, there is the small matter of the derby against title-chasing Manchester City at Old Trafford on Wednesday.