Everton overcame the odds to beat Champions’ League hopefuls Manchester United 3-0 at Goodison Park.
James McCarthy, John Stones and Kevin Mirallas all found the net in their biggest win over the Red Devils for 30 years, and their third in succession at home to United. The win also moved the Blues up to 10th in the Barclays Premier League.
With five wins in their last six games, Everton have managed to salvage some pride from a desolate season, having moved well clear of the relegation zone.
They started this game as they meant to go on, with United falling victim to the same tactics that saw them undone at Stamford Bridge last week.
Following a swift break from a corner, Aaron Lennon’s cutback was knocked into the path of James McCarthy. He rode two weak challenges, and finished calmly past David De Gea.
United briefly offered some resistance, with the returning Marouane Fellaini failing to find the target when one-on-one with Tim Howard. Chris Smalling also planted a free header straight at the American from a free-kick.
Before half-time, Everton had their second. John Stones was allowed a free run to the near post from a Leighton Baines corner, and he headed the ball past a stranded De Gea for his first Everton goal.
There was a shade of irony that it came against the team which he damaged his ankle ligaments against in October, costing him nearly three months of his season.
After the break, Everton controlled the game, with United creating little more than a Wayne Rooney snapshot from a corner in the first minute of the half.
Substitute Kevin Mirallas later completed the scoring, when confusion in the United defence allowed him to run through on goal. Ross Barkley’s lofted ball had been intended for Romelu Lukaku, who was in an offside position. The defenders stood still and watched as Mirallas surged through, and coolly slotted the ball into the net.
Mirallas nearly added more gloss to the scoreline shortly after. Following a mazy run, he unleashed a lethal strike from outside the box, and De Gea expertly tipped the ball over the bar.
Radamel Falcao did have a goal disallowed for the visitors late on, but it was rightly ruled out for offside.
The win means Everton have now won four successive home games, and they haven’t conceded a goal in that time.
Speaking after the game, Louis van Gaal felt his team had been out-fought: “It was the most disappointing performance since I took charge because it is the first time that I have seen that our motivation, inspiration and aggression was not as high as our opponents.”
Manchester United are now in fourth place, seven points ahead of Liverpool, who have a game in hand.
Everton manager Roberto Martinez was buoyant after his team’s performance, and said that they had to be ‘perfect’.
The Blues must now look to continue their best run of form of the season, to ensure that the confident aura around Goodison Park isn’t extinguished over the Summer.
