GistReel
Manchester United strengthened their hold on fourth place in the Premier League as substitute Benjamin Sesko scored the decisive goal in a 1-0 win over Everton.
The £73.7m forward came off the bench to deliver a 71st-minute finish at Hill Dickinson Stadium, repeating his recent impact after netting a stoppage-time equaliser against West Ham United earlier this month.
Counter-attack proves decisive
Sesko initiated the move deep inside his own half before releasing Matheus Cunha.
Cunha then picked out Bryan Mbeumo with a long pass, and Sesko continued his run to meet the return ball, applying a composed first-time finish for his eighth goal of the season.
Only two of those goals came under former manager Ruben Amorim. Three arrived during Darren Fletcher’s interim spell, and three more have followed since Michael Carrick took charge. Carrick has now overseen five wins from six matches.
Limited chances at both ends
Clear opportunities were scarce throughout a contest disrupted by a near two-week gap in fixtures for both sides.
United came closest before the break when James Tarkowski cleared off the line after Jordan Pickford had partially saved an effort from Amad Diallo.
Everton’s best opening fell to teenager Harrison Armstrong, whose attempt was kept out by visiting goalkeeper Senne Lammens.
Lammens was called into action again late on, tipping over a powerful long-range strike from Michael Keane.
The defeat extends Everton’s winless home run in all competitions to seven matches and leaves them ninth in the table, while United move clear in the race for Champions League qualification.