Man United woes continue with defeat at relegation-threatened Everton

Updated: May 16, 2023, 11:58 pm

Manchester United's chances of finishing in the top four of the Premier League were dented after suffering a 1-0 defeat against struggling Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday.

Anthony Gordon's first-half strike turned out to be the winner as Everton claimed a crucial win in their battle to avoid relegation.

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The result sees Ralf Rangnick's side fail to win for the third consecutive game in all competitions and remain in seventh place in the league table.

It was a massive win for Frank Lampard's side who move four points clear of the relegation zone with fellow strugglers Burnley.

"With all respect to Everton -- because they have a good team -- but if you don't score against a team who conceded three goals against Burnley, you cannot expect to get anything out of it," Rangnick told reporters.

Manchester United endured a woeful afternoon with another defeat at Everton.
Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images

"The first 25 minutes we were in full control of the game. We didn't even in those 25 minutes take enough advantage out of that dominating period.

"You could literally feel that Everton were crumbling after that result against Burnley. They were quite logically not full of confidence but we didn't take advantage of that."

The visitors started well and Marcus Rashford forced two stunning saves inside the opening 15 minutes from Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

United dominated but Everton took the lead against the run of play after 26 minutes when Gordon's shot deflected off Harry Maguire and wrong-footed David de Gea.

The hosts started to grow into the game after the goal and almost doubled their lead after 35 minutes but De Gea denied Richarlison's deflected effort.

Everton frustrated United throughout the second half with both teams failing to create many clear-cut chances.

Cristiano Ronaldo forced Pickford into a late save but United were disappointing after the break and Everton picked up a deserved victory.

Everton pull four points clear of 18th-placed Burnley, who travel to Norwich City on Sunday.

Rangnick rang the changes, but it had little effect, as United meander towards another disappointing season finish -- five years without a trophy come the end of this campaign, and nine since their last league triumph.

"Coming off the back of the last game there was a lot of disappointment," midfielder Fabian Delph told BT Sport, referring to their midweek loss away at  Burnley. "Heads were down, as you'd expect. We came into it with a good game plan.

"It was about sticking together and riding the storm, and we managed to do that. It's a massive relief for the players, management and everyone associated with Everton."