Man Utd Dominate Everton as Rashford Shines in a Thrilling 4-0 Victory

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·1 December 2024

Man Utd Dominate Everton as Rashford Shines in a Thrilling 4-0 Victory

United Secure First League Victory Under Amorim

Man Utd secured a statement win on Sunday afternoon, dispatching Everton 4-0 at Old Trafford in Ruben Amorim’s first Premier League victory. A dazzling display, headlined by Marcus Rashford, signalled a potential turning point for the Red Devils under their new manager.

A Tale of Two Halves: Early Struggles and Late Flourish

Everton began the match with promise, showcasing resilience and organisation in the opening exchanges. Manchester United, in contrast, appeared flat-footed, struggling to breach the Toffees’ compact defence while showing signs of vulnerability at the back.

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However, the game flipped dramatically in the final ten minutes of the first half. A set-piece proved to be Everton’s undoing as Marcus Rashford found himself unmarked at the edge of the box. His clean half-volley took a cruel deflection off Jarrad Branthwaite, sending the ball past Jordan Pickford to open the scoring.

United capitalised on the momentum, striking again within minutes. Branthwaite’s error allowed Joshua Zirkzee to pounce, finishing a slick attacking move that left Everton reeling. The sudden burst of quality gave Amorim’s side a commanding lead heading into the break.

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Rashford and Diallo Combine to Devastating Effect

If Everton hoped for a second-half revival, those hopes were crushed just 21 seconds after the restart. Rashford latched onto a clever pass from Amad Diallo, carving through a disorganised Everton defence to net his second goal and United’s third. The Toffees were left stunned, their early promise now a distant memory.

The Rashford-Diallo partnership continued to torment Everton. Diallo was instrumental again in the 64th minute, threading a precise pass to Zirkzee, who completed his brace with a close-range finish. The fluidity and precision of United’s attacking play highlighted the sharpness instilled by Amorim in a short period.

A Historic Win for Amorim and Man Utd

This commanding performance marked a significant milestone for Manchester United. During Erik ten Hag’s tenure, United never secured a Premier League victory by a four-goal margin. Amorim, however, achieved the feat in just his second league outing, suggesting a new era of attacking intent may be on the horizon.

Everton, meanwhile, will be left reflecting on how a promising start unraveled so spectacularly. Defensive lapses and a lack of composure in key moments proved costly for Sean Dyche’s side.

Stats Analysis:

Ball Possession

60% vs 40%: Man Utd dominated possession, controlling the game and dictating the tempo. Everton struggled to retain the ball, emphasising United’s dominance in midfield.

Expected Goals (xG)

0.73 vs 0.65: The xG values are relatively close, indicating that despite the dominant scoreline (4-0), United did not create significantly more high-quality chances than Everton. This suggests United were highly clinical with their opportunities.

Total Shots

11 vs 8: United outshot Everton, reflecting their attacking intent. However, the difference isn’t vast, highlighting that Everton had moments of offensive activity but lacked precision.

Shots on Target

5 vs 2: United’s superior number of shots on target highlights their efficiency in turning possession into meaningful chances. Everton’s two shots on target underline their struggles in the final third.

Big Chances

3 vs 1: United created three big chances, all of which were converted, showcasing their ruthlessness in front of goal. Everton’s one big chance, missed, underscores the difference in quality and composure.

Passing Accuracy

555 (90%) vs 356 (87%): United’s higher passing volume and accuracy underline their control of the game. Everton’s 87% accuracy indicates they were competent in possession but often forced into less threatening areas.

Fouls Committed

12 vs 12: Both teams committed the same number of fouls, suggesting an evenly contested physical battle. However, United capitalised better on the moments of quality.

Corners

2 vs 2: The low number of corners reflects the game’s flow, with United creating chances through open play rather than set pieces.

Rashford’s Influence Cannot Be Overstated

Marcus Rashford was the standout performer, demonstrating his clinical finishing and ability to exploit defensive frailties. His brace not only highlighted his importance to United’s attack but also set the tone for the Amorim era. With Diallo providing creativity and Zirkzee offering a reliable target, United’s forward line looked more dynamic than it has in recent seasons.

Conclusion

Manchester United’s emphatic win over Everton delivered a statement of intent, showcasing the impact of Ruben Amorim’s tactical approach. For fans at Old Trafford, it was a performance to savour, with Rashford and Diallo’s synergy offering a glimpse of a bright future. Meanwhile, Everton face a challenging road ahead, with defensive frailties undermining their promising spells of play.