Manchester United made the perfect start to 2018 by getting back to winning ways with a 2-0 win at Everton this evening.
Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard each scored from outside the penalty area in the second half whilst David de Gea wasn’t forced into a single save at the other end.
The result lifts us into second place before Chelsea face Arsenal on Wednesday.
Here is how our players fared:
David de Gea 6
Everton only started to put pressure on our goal in the final 20 minutes but the defence managed to protect David de Gea very well today.
Victor Lindelof 6
Yannick Bolasie had the beating of our makeshift right-back for pace but the Everton winger’s crosses failed to pick out a teammate time and time again.
Phil Jones 7
Another accomplished performance from Phil Jones who won a number of aerial duels and kept the likes of Oumar Niasse and Wayne Rooney at bay today. Gave us one scare when losing possession on the edge of our penalty area.
Marcos Rojo 9
An incredible block from out of nowhere to deny Oumar Niasse from close range in the first half. Marcos Rojo made a couple more important interceptions today in a terrific defensive performance. Was a bit wild with his efforts on goal though.
Luke Shaw 7
Ventured forward but never put any crosses into the box. Did allow Nikola Vlasic to get a couple of crosses into the box from Everton’s right wing and Mason Holgate too when they doubled up on Luke Shaw.
Ander Herrera 6
Got on the ball a lot, even brought it into the final third for a rare occasion this season, though Ander Herrera’s efforts on goal were poor. Stayed disciplined defensively which allowed Paul Pogba all the freedom he wanted to attack.
Nemanja Matic 6
A couple of sloppy passes in the first half in conceding possession in his own half, Nemanja Matic wasn’t on the ball as often as he was early in the season but helped prevent Everton from making any serious threats to our goal.
Juan Mata 7
Unlucky with a long-range effort that struck the outside of the post, Juan Mata played some good passes and created a couple of chances from out on the right.
Paul Pogba 9
Ran the show in the number 10 role today, Paul Pogba provided a lovely assist for Anthony Martial and will also be credited with an assist for Jesse Lingard’s solo goal to kill the game off. The French star created chances, showed some lovely touches and passes in an all-round dominant performance.
Jesse Lingard 8
Saw a lot of the ball down the left wing and scored a cracking solo goal to seal the game with 10 minutes to go with what was Jesse Lingard’s third effort in the space of a minute. Won a couple of free kicks.
Anthony Martial 7
Nice finish into the top corner from 20 yards to open the scoring. Anthony Martial was playing up front but did drift out to the left several times today and his goal was his only effort on target.
Substitutes
Marcus Rashford (13 mins) N/A – Late substitution shortly after Anthony Martial collided with an advertising board. Marcus Rashford continues his run of playing in every game for us this season.
Daley Blind (3 mins) N/A – Late substitute to help us see out the clean sheet.
Axel Tuanzeba (0 mins) N/A – Stoppage time substitute to make his first Premier League appearance of the season.
