Everton 1-2 Manchester United: What Were The Main Talking Points As Erik ten Hag’s Side Mount A Goodison Park Comeback?

Marking their return from September’s international break with a nightmare display at the Etihad last weekend, Manchester United would have been glad to pick up a domestic boost on Sunday night.

Despite falling behind after Alex Ewobi opened the scoring after just five minutes at Goodison Park, Erik ten Hag’s side mounted an eye-catching display away from Old Trafford as they extended on their top-four charge.

With Antony leveling the scoreline just 10 minutes later before Cristiano Ronaldo made even more history on Merseyside, United also managed to end Everton’s extended six-match Premier League unbeaten run.

In what was seen to be a tough test for ten Hag’s superstars on Sunday night, we have taken a look at the main talking points as United found an immediate domestic response.

The domestic response ten Hag was dreaming of

Marking their return from September’s international break with that woeful 6-3 drumming away at their noisy neighbours, ten Hag had made it clear that he was demanding an immediate response from his side here.

While the former Premier League champions might have snatched a hard-fought 3-2 victory away at Omonia while on Europa League duties in midweek, United did have the feel of a side seeking some stability.

However, mounting an impressive first-half comeback at Goodison Park and really showing their resolve, the Red Devils have now collected 15 points from their last six Premier League appearances.

Although the former Ajax boss might have seen his side open the 2022/23 campaign with a nightmare run, Sunday’s guests now find themselves sat just a single point adrift of breaking their way into the top-four.

Deserving of all three points, United fans would have also been excited by the impact that summer arrival Casemiro made after making his full domestic debut here.

A landmark strike for CR7

Once again having to settle for a spot among the substitutes as things got underway on Sunday night, it is fair to say that Cristiano Ronaldo has found himself at the heart of a frustrating season so far.

Once again drawing a blank on Europa League duties earlier in the week and missing a handful of golden chances away at Omonia, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has found himself under some scrutiny from Manchester United fans.

However, coming off the bench and replacing an injured Martial at the half-hour mark, Ronaldo spearheaded United’s first-half turnaround and made even more history at Goodison Park.

Eventually bagging what turned out to be the winner in a hard-fought victory for the former Premier League champions, the 35-year-old also notched his 700th club goal on a record-breaking night.

Likewise, finally opening his top-flight account at the seventh attempt here, Ronaldo will be desperate to use this as a launchpad to reclaim his place as a crucial part of ten Hag’s plans going forward.

Everton miss what could have been a golden chance

While Everton might have only just about clung to their Premier League status back in May, many felt that Frank Lampard’s side could be destined for another relegation scrap this time around.

However, picking up back-to-back victories against West Ham and Southampton on either side of September’s international break, the Blues open Sunday’s showdown in the midst of a six-match top-flight unbeaten run.

With Iwobi offering the ex-Chelsea boss a perfect side as he opened the scoring after just five minutes, there is no doubt that fans around Goodison will be feeling like their side missed out on a golden chance.

Only holding onto the lead for 10 minutes before Antony equalised, Everton failed to gain much of a foothold in proceedings throughout the second-half and were starved of possession for long periods.

Nevertheless, while Sunday’s hosts might have seen their six-match unbeaten run come to an abrupt end, they would have been glad to see attacking talisman Dominic Calvert-Lewin make his return from another long-term injury issue.

Match Report:

Everton: Pickford, Coleman, Coady, Tarkowski, Mykolenko, Iwobi, Gueye, Onana, Gordon, Maupay, Gray

Subs: Calvert-Lewin, McNeil, Garner, Rondon

Manchester United: De Gea, Dalt, Lindelof, Martinez, Shaw, Eriksen, Casemiro, Antony, Fernandes, Rashford, Martial

Subs: Varane, Ronaldo, McTominay

Goals: Everton: Iwobi (5′) – Manchester United: Antony (15′), Ronaldo (44′)

Yellow Cards: Everton: Gordon, Onana – Manchester United: McTominay

Red Cards: N/A

Referee: David Coote