Everton dismantle dismal Manchester United in Goodison Park rout
Manchester United produced their worst display of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s shot reign as Everton thrashed them 4-0 in the Easter sunshine.
Richarlison and Gylfi Sigurdsson put Everton two goals to the good at half-time, before Lucas Digne and Theo Walcott rubbed further salt into the wounds after the break.
It could have been more for Marco Silva’s side, who remain well and truly in the battle for seventh spot, while Solskjaer’s side failed to register a shot on target until the 86th minute.
United are now relying on other teams slipping up if they want Champions League football at Old Trafford next season – Solskjaer’s honeymoon period is a distant memory.
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Richarlison had already seen a low effort pushed away by David De Gea when he struck on 12 minutes. A long throw into the box was flicked on by Dominic Calvert-Lewin and the Brazilian acrobatically volleyed the ball into the back of the net.
United were lethargic and Everton made the most of their European hangover by doubling the lead on 27 minutes. Sigurdsson picked up the ball on the inside left, moved it onto his right foot away from a ponderous Nemanja Matic and unleashed a wicked strike from 25 yards.
It appeared to catch De Gea off-guard and flew into the bottom corner, beyond the reach of the flat-footed keeper.
Still, that failed to spark United into life.
Solskjaer made two changes at the break, sending Ashley Young and Scott McTominay on for Fred and Phil Jones, but it was Everton who came out firing.
De Gea’s punch from a corner landed at the feet of Digne, who fired in a low, first-time volley beyond the unsighted keeper. Offside players may have blocked De Gea’s view but there were 56 minutes on the clock and United trailed 3-0.
It was to get worse for United too. Substitute Walcott was released over the top by Sigurdsson eight minutes later and took a heavy first touch before neatly sliding the ball under De Gea to send Everton fans into dreamland.
Anthony Martial and Matic both had chances inside the Everton box only to miss the target, and it took until the 86th minute before Jordan Pickford was called into action, diving low to his right to gather Martial’s effort.
Everton skipper Seamus Coleman also tested De Gea again as the game rather petered out, not that the home fans cared.
Their past four home games have seen them draw with Liverpool and beat Chelsea, Arsenal and United
Although last week’s defeat at Fulham tempers expectations slightly, the signs are that Marco Silva’s methods are starting to have their desired effect and Everton are reaping the rewards.