Cristiano Ronaldo’s 700th club goal brought Manchester United back to winning ways against Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday.
United’s comeback performance was gritty and determined, with plenty of moments of quality. The Reds were fully deserving of the win, which probably should have been by a wider margin.
Erik ten Hag was pleased with plenty of United’s play, particularly in the first half, but still identified areas for improvement:
“We were so dominant in the game, I felt we had to score the third goal. The first 35 minutes were good, but even then we had our sloppy moments. We had a good formation on the ball, good switches of play, we created chances and the pressing was good. In the first half we didn’t allow Everton to play their game, which is outing a lot of crosses in. We avoided that and I was happy for that.
“Today [Antony] played his best game so far. He is running behind and his pressing and defending is much better than the first two games. I’m happy with his development but I know there is [the potential for] huge improvement.
“[Casemiro] even after a small mistake stayed composed, did the right things and had a huge impact on the game by winning so many balls, being in good positions to receive balls, to link up, pass around and he was important for the goal.
“We can make life [easier] if we press better in the second half, we can dictate the game out of possession and we had some good counter opps where we didn’t score – there is room for improvement. But I don’t want to complain too much; Everton are in a good run of games, it’s difficult to score here and we did twice, and I am happy for the squad.”
Erik ten Hag spoke after the game
700 and counting – Ronaldo silences cynics
Klopp’s excuses, a half-empty Etihad, Ronaldo’s 700th club goal – some things are just inevitable. It initially looked like another frustrating evening for the number 7; with in-form Anthony Martial named ahead of him in the starting 11. However, yet another injury to the Frenchman meant Ronaldo got his chance after half an hour. He grabbed it with both hands.
Just before the break, and with the score level at 1-1, Casemiro won the ball back deep inside United territory, slid a pinpoint through-ball to Ronaldo and the Portuguese finished low, left-footed inside Pickford’s near post. There was even a new celebration to mark the occasion – is the end of Siuuuu!?
Aside from his goal, Ronaldo generally linked play well, and should have had an assist when a Rashford goal was questionably disallowed for a handball. With Martial’s injury doubts, it’s reassuring to see Ronny back on form.
player of the Match
There were several contenders; Ronaldo, Rashford, Casemiro, Martinez and Shaw all played well, but we’re going with new boy Antony.
The Brazilian scored his third goal in three games with another sublime finish and looked positive throughout. He was driving at the Everton defence and trying to make things happen – particularly in the first half. “Being brave on the ball” as Erik ten Hag might put it.
A complete ‘VAR’ce
What more can you say about the much-maligned VAR technology that is now ubiquitous across top-flight football?
It’s not so much the technology itself, as much as its inconsistent application. Marcus Rashford was denied a fourth Premier League goal this season by a frankly ludicrous handball decision. Earlier the very same day, a Michail Antonio goal for West Ham had been allowed to stand for a seemingly more obvious handball.
Fortunately, it didn’t affect the result. But if this had been the difference between three points and one, United would – rightly – be fuming.
VAR can be a good thing, but the lack of consistency around its application is becoming a real problem in top-flight football and needs to be urgently looked at.
Back on track – let’s build from here
There was a real danger after the derby-day capitulation that United, whose confidence had clearly been shaken by a real thrashing, would carry that hangover into the next league game. The narrow win in Cyprus in mid-week did nothing to suggest otherwise. This tough fixture felt like such a critical one in setting the tone for a very busy October period.
It was a test that United passed well. With some very good performances and dogged defending as Everton piled on the pressure at the end.
Ronaldo got his goal, new boys Casemiro and Antony played well and even Rafael Varane looks to be on the mend as he came on for a couple of injury-time minutes.
Erik ten Hag will press United to raise the level again as we face a dangerous Newcastle side at Old Trafford on Sunday. Nothing less than a similarly committed performance will be expected. There is no reason that this re-energised United side can’t put Newcastle to the sword with a convincing win.