Manchester United 1-1 Everton
Interim Everton boss Duncan Ferguson did his reputation no harm at all with a well-earned point as Everton drew with Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Ferguson had a perfect start to his stint in charge of the Toffees with a 3-1 win over Chelsea and this was equally impressive, as his team fought hard to give their hosts a real scare.
The Red Devils were aiming to build on back-to-back wins over impressive opposition in the Premier League, beating Spurs and Manchester City in the run-up to this game, but they had to rely on a late Mason Greenwood equaliser to rescue a point after United defender Victor Lindelof had put through his own net.
Everton briefly appeared in the Premier League 2019 betting relegation markets, but since Ferguson took over from the sacked Marco Silva, four points have lifted them away from danger.
Highlights of the game
Everton started on the front foot and a hopeful ball into the Manchester United danger area caused David de Gea to back-peddle and tip it over the bar. But the home crowd expected their team to respond quickly and so they did.
Rashford had a good chance on nine minutes when he burst through, outpacing Michael Keane before firing over. Then a minute later Dan James was set free on the right and he cut inside to shoot just wide with Jordan Pickford strangely rooted to the spot. But midway through the first half, the Everton stopper was alert to keep out a Rashford free-kick with a strong left hand, having first taken a step to his right.
The Toffees began to work their way into the game and stunned the Old Trafford crowd just after the half-hour after a series of set pieces. This time it was a corner swung over by Leighton Baines, De Gea flapped at it under pressure and the ball flew over everyone, apart from the unlucky Victor Lindelof who watched it bounce into the net off his knee.
It was a scrappy goal and there might have been a case for a VAR review, as Dominic Calvert-Lewin had his hand in De Gea’s face as they jumped, but the United keeper should have been stronger.
Fred had an early shot at goal in the second half as a cross was headed clear onto his right foot but he sliced his effort horribly wide. And the Red Devils had a glorious chance to level, on the hour, when Luke Shaw’s rasping drive was palmed out by Pickford into the path of Daniel James, but he swung wildly at his shot which flew into Jesse Lingard’s face.
That was the last we saw of Lingard as he was replaced by Mason Greenwood. Lindelof tried to make amends for his first-half own goal with a fierce shot which had Pickford beaten but it sailed inches over the bar.
United were feeding off half chances, but that was all Greenwood needed when he just found a yard of space to drill a low shot past Pickford and into the corner to lift the roof off Old Trafford.
De Gea made a great save to keep out an effort by Alex Iwobi which was destined for the top corner as both teams went for the win, but a draw was about right.
Key statistics
We went for a hard-fought game in our SBOBET tips for this game (two to three goals) and the draw, at odds of 3.65 was always on the cards.
It’s only the sixth time Everton have drawn at Old Trafford in 30 years, while the Red Devils are now unbeaten at home in ten games.
Chelsea’s surprise home defeat to Bournemouth yesterday meant that a win today would take the Red Devils to within two points of fourth place, but today’s Premier League 2019 results have left them four adrift and in sixth place.
What’s next?
Next up for Manchester United is a Carabao Cup quarter-final at home to League Two side Colchester United.
Then it’s a trip to North London to take on bottom side Watford, with new head coach Nigel Pearson taking control of the Hornets for the first time.
Everton’s difficult run of fixtures continues with their own Carabao Cup clash against Leicester City, before hosting Arsenal and Burnley in the League. But that won’t worry Big Dunc one bit!
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
