Alejandro Garnacho’s incredible overhead kick helped Manchester United defeat Everton 3-0, adding insult to injury as the Toffees were now squarely in the Premier League relegation zone.
Thousands of banners calling the Premier League “corrupt” were held up by the home crowd during Everton’s first game back at Goodison Park following a 10-point deduction for financial rule violations.
However, Garnacho scored what will go down as one of the all-time great Premier League goals just three minutes into the game.
The 19-year-old Argentine leapt to strike into Jordan Pickford’s upper left-hand corner after Diogo Dalot’s looping cross came over the volley.
“It’s unbelievable. To be very honest, Garnacho spun around and exclaimed, “Oh my God.”
The magical moment was out of character for another inconsistent effort from United, but Erik ten Hag’s team has now won five of their past six league games thanks to goals from Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford.
“It was an excellent objective. Although there are still a lot of games left in the season, Ten Hag believes that the objective has already been reached.
“We knew beforehand it was going to be difficult but we enjoy those challenges.”
Despite a difficult season, United rises to sixth place in the standings and is only six points behind champions Arsenal.
The Everton supporters vented their resentment at the authorities for imposing the harshest sporting punishment in Premier League history, and the visitors had to deal with a heated environment.
Sean Dyche’s team appeared to have avoided relegation after two seasons of fighting for it, thanks to a strong recent run of play.
However, they are currently five points outside of safety and off the bottom of the table only on goal differential.
Everton was left to lament a string of wasted opportunities after Garnacho initially shocked the boisterous home crowd.
Twice, Dominic Calvert-Lewin had fantastic headed opportunities but could not capitalise.
Mainoo excels.
On his debut Premier League start for United, teenager Kobbie Mainoo excelled. After Andre Onana parried Calvert-Lewin’s initial effort, Dwight McNeil’s goal was only prevented by the midfielder’s goalline clearance.
Then, just as Everton was about to assert their superiority before halftime, Abdoulaye Doucoure missed another fantastic opportunity.
Additionally, when VAR intervened early in the second half to award United a contentious penalty, it did not help ease the sentiment among the home crowd that everyone was against them.
When Ashley Young challenged Martial to a fight in the box, referee John Brooks had first given him a diving call.
After seeing a replay, Brooks reversed his decision, even though it seemed like there was not enough contact for VAR to get involved.
This year’s VAR controversy has been widely dispersed. Even if it’s the simplest thing, there always seems to be chaos “Dyche stated.
“You’re 2-0 down all of a sudden from a nothing moment, one you think has gone for you.”
Rashford was given the opportunity to score his first goal for the club since September 3 after Bruno Fernandes gave him the go-ahead.
“Marcus required some self-assurance and his objective,” stated Fernandes.
“He takes penalties really well. Marcus executed the penalty kick flawlessly, as I was certain he could.”
In lieu of the injured Rasmus Hojlund, Martial was making an uncommon start, and with 15 minutes remaining, he expertly finished off United’s greatest league victory of the year with a through pass from Fernandes.