EVERTON 0, MANCHESTER UNITED 3
A minute’s applause for former Everton manager Howard Kendall
Goals by Morgan Schneiderlin, Ander Herrera and Wayne Rooney as United win at Goodison for the first time in four seasons
There was a minute’s applause for former Everton manager Howard Kendall who died today at the age of 69 but United took the points home from Goodison Park for the first time in four seasons since October 2011 on an emotional day.
Reds manager Louis Van Gaal was happy after bouncing back so decisively from the 3-0 defeat at Arsenal before the international break.
He said: “I am very happy coach and also very proud of the players because it’s a fantastic performance after the defeat at Arsenal.
“We needed that also and it’s very important that we have won today.”
There were four United changes from the 3-0 defeat at the Emirates before the international break and two of them made the first half breakthrough for Van Gaal’s side.
Marcos Rojo and Ander Herrera came in for Ashley Young and Memphis Depay, while Morgan Schneiderlin added more mobility in central midfield in place of Michael Carrick. Phil Jones added more defensive solidity to United with Daley Blind dropped to the bench.
Herrera forced a save from Tim Howard before Morgan Schneiderlin put United into the lead with his first Reds goal on 18 minutes after Stephen Naismith’s attempted clearance was chested down by Rojo with the loose ball falling to the Frenchman to beat Tim Howard.
Herrera himself doubled the lead after converting Rojo’s left wing cross with a fine header, United’s second goal coming four minutes after the first.
United could have been 3-0 up before shell shocked Everton got to half time as Wayne Rooney, playing as centre forward, pulled the ball back for Anthony Martial who had been ploughing the left wing, but his shot was saved by Howard.
Everton improved after the break and David De Gea saved a chance by Romelu Lukaku on 56 minutes while Ross Barkley found De Gea in no mood to concede from a free kick.
Rooney buried the Everton resistance before they could kick-start their come back with his first away goal for the Reds in 11 months after a mistake by Phil Jagielka after Herrera put the ball into his path in the 62nd minute.
It was his first goal at Everton in seven visits to Goodison since April 2007 and his 187th Premier League goal, drawing level with Andy Cole, and leaving only Alan Shearer ahead on 260.
“I haven’t scored here for a few years and it’s been a difficult place to come back for me here.” commented Rooney, a boyhood Everton fan, after the game.
He added: “It was a very emotional moment for me, and a sad day for everyone involved for Everton Football Club. I wish them all the best at this sad time.”