Manchester United ended their two-match losing streak as first-half penalties from Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford were enough to defeat Everton at Old Trafford.
In a strange game, in which Everton became the fifth side in six Premier League games to have at least 20 shots against Erik ten Hag’s side, the visitors were made to pay for their profligacy and reckless defending.
Skipper James Tarkowski and fellow defender Ben Godfrey both caught Alejandro Garnacho with rash challenges.
Fernandes took the first spot-kick and beat Jordan Pickford with a precise low shot to the England keeper’s left corner.
However, the United skipper passed on responsibility to Rashford on the second occasion. It seemed a needless risk but Rashford kept his nerve to send Pickford the wrong way for his seventh goal of the season.
After defeats by Fulham and Manchester City, the result pushed United to within three points of fifth-placed Tottenham, although Ange Postecoglou’s men do have two matches in hand.
And, after Thursday’s European results, fifth is not as sure of securing Champions League qualification next term as it previously appeared to be.
The loss continued an awful run for Everton, who have now picked up just five points from 11 games and with next week’s Merseyside derby called off because of Liverpool’s FA Cup commitments, Sean Dyche’s men could find themselves in the relegation zone during the international break.
