Manchester United 2-1 Everton
There is no doubt that Manchester United have had one world class star in their ranks in recent seasons.
The fact that goalkeeper David de Gea has won the club player of the year award for a record four consecutive years is evidence of that.
Yet there are not too many people who agree with my long-held sentiment that a certain young Frenchman is the club’s best outfield player and another who has the potential to be a true world class talent like De Gea has become.
Here was another example of why United chief executive Ed Woodward was reportedly opposed to any attempts by rival Premier League clubs to claim his signature.
Here were further proof why the club needs to tie him to a long-term contract and why United’s number 11 needs regular first-team football.
Highlights of the game
His winning goal in the 49th minute was a thing of beauty.
A superb curling shot from the edge of the area into the far corner of the net.
A goal worthy of winning any game and another moment which showed why his talent is something special.
Martial had earlier won a penalty which United converted, at the second attempt, to open the scoring and was a constant handful for visiting full-back Seamus Coleman.
His French colleague Paul Pogba had scored with a rebound after his spot-kick had been parried by Everton and England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford 27 minutes in.
The victory capped off a mixed week in which United showed they remain one of the best on their day but, at other times, are either lacking in belief, playing catch-up with the cream of Europe or perhaps a bit of both.
In many ways this was a day which also summed up the way in which Pogba infuriates United fans and some SBOBET followers.
Here was a player whose talent is unquestioned and he again showed some delightful touches.
He atoned for his poor penalty by pouncing on the rebound but, while luck was on his side on that occasion, his sloppiness and tendency to switch off could have cost the home side dear.
Indeed, it was his wayward ‘showboating’ which led to United losing possession and ultimately saw Chris Smalling recklessly challenge Richarlison in the penalty area which led Everton to get back into the match –Gylfi Sigurdsson duly notching the penalty.
As it transpired, thankfully for the hosts, Martial had done enough and he was at the heart of virtually all United’s best moves throughout.
Woodward may have been correct at wanting to keep hold of Martial, who could and should have added a third in stoppage time, but there were more examples of why he needs to back his manager in the transfer market defensively.
After 14 minutes Andre Gomes was left unmarked but could only head straight at De Gea, a move Sigurdsson repeated seven minutes before the break.
De Gea was then swift to deny Richarlison a minute after the restart.
United scored their second moments later and, just a few minutes afterwards, were relieved once more as Richarlison slipped through Bernard who rounded the United number one but was unable to turn the ball into an unguarded net.
Timing is everything in football.
So the end of a mini run for Everton whose three league wins on the bounce suggest Marco Silva is getting a handle on his new job and Premier League 2018 betting odds on the Toffees are always worth close consideration.
His Portuguese counterpart Jose Mourinho deserved to end on the winning side, however, and extend a record which shows he has lost only two of his 111 league home fixtures played on a Sunday.
Of course, the Premier League 2018 news has all been secondary over the last 24 hours and it was fitting that both teams and sets of supporters showed solidarity with the tragic events of Leicester City and also paid their respects in their final home game before Remembrance Sunday.
Football rallying round at times like this is what really matters.
Key statistics
Manchester United have now scored 100 Premier League goals against Everton; only the second team to score 100+ goals against a single opponent in the competition (Arsenal: 107 vs Everton).
Manchester United’s 36 wins in this fixture is a Premier League record by a club against a single opponent.
Everton are win-less in eight meetings in all competitions against United since a 3-0 Premier League home win in April 2015 (drawn two, lost six).
The Red Devils have now won three consecutive league matches against the Toffees for the first time in 11 years.
Everton have won just two of their 27 Premier League fixtures at Old Trafford, drawing five and losing 20.
Top of Form
What’s next?
It’s three away games on the bounce now for United.
An away Champions League fixture at Juventus is sandwiched between Premier League tests at Bournemouth and city rivals Man City in the first Manchester derby of the season.
Everton host Brighton at Goodison Park next Saturday (November 3) before a trip to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea on November 11.
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