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United huffed and puffed, but couldn’t buy a goal
Although United hit the woodwork twice, once in the first half with a deflected Wayne Rooney shot and another with a Danny Welbeck header, they couldn’t create too many clear cut opportunities to score a goal. In the process, for only the third time in last 74 League games at Old Trafford, they failed to score a goal.
They were really unlucky in the first half, to not have scored at least one goal, and as the game went on, it looked as though it was only a matter of time, before they scored. But, at the end of the day, for all of their attacking play, they never really threatened Howard’s goal with any regularity. Apart from a few potshots from distance and a Patrice Evra header from close range, Howard had a relatively quiet game, and that is certainly something that would worry Moyes.
Moyes paid the penalty for his substitutions
They say the difference between the sublime and the ridiculous is very thin indeed. Against Everton, Moyes found out all about it as his substitutions was his side’s undoing. Far too often, Moyes has been criticized for being too negative, at least during his Everton days. At Manchester United, however, for all of his faults so far, that is certainly one thing that can’t be held against him. But, against Everton his substitutions had an effect in the outcome of the game, but, not in the way that he wanted it to occur.
As United went in search of a goal, Moyes replaced Rafael with Nani and moved Valencia to right back, he was hoping to spur some sort of response from his side. But, unfortunately for Moyes, Valencia showed just why he is a right winger and not a fullback, buy losing sight of his man, Bryan Oviedo, who went onto score the goal that settled the tie. On another day, if United had won, Moyes would have been hailed as a hero, but today at least, he isn’t one.
United could have done with a Gareth Barry
When the starting XI was announced, United supporters would have looked at Everton’s midfield duo of Barry and McCarthy and would have loved to have either of them in their lineup. And by the end of the game, it was the dynamic duo at the heart of the Toffees midfield that ran the show and controlled the game. And Gareth Barry in particular stood out, with the sort of performance that often goes unnoticed.
Throughout the game, without attempting any Hollywood passes or any flashes skills, the Englishman managed to control the tempo of the match. His calm and unassuming presence was vital for Everton, as he was the starter of most of their attacks, and his mantra was fairly simple, just keep the ball moving. And boy, did he do that well. Not only did he attempt and complete more passes than anyone on the pitch, he also made 5 timely interceptions which halted United’s forays into the box. And Moyes could have certainly done with someone like him, controlling the midfield for United.
Records tumble at Old Trafford
What David Moyes couldn’t manage in 11 years at Everton, Martinez managed to do, in less than 1 year. For the first time in 46 attempts, Everton managed to beat a top four side away from home, since Moyes took over, at the turn of the millennium. And for the first time, since the inception of the Premier League, Everton managed to beat Manchester United away from home, having not won in their previous 20 trips to Manchester.
Everton came into this game, knowing fully well that their away form, hasn’t been the strong suit in the League, but, crucially, came on the back of a morale boosting win at the weekend. And that was enough for them to claim only their third victory in their last 15 away trips. Defeat also brought an end to Manchester United’s 12-match unbeaten run in all competitions and meant that United wound up in ninth place, whilst victory meant that the toffees moved into fifth spot, level with their cross-town rivals Liverpool.
Is that the end of Manchester United’s title challenge?
After a shaky start to the season, United looked like they finally got their season back on track win a win over Arsenal, which was their third straight win, just before the International break. But, ever since then, their form has dipped once again, with two straight away draws and now a home defeat in the three games since then.
With the top six all winning on Wednesday, defeat at home to the toffees now means that United are 12 points behind leaders Arsenal and 5 points behind Liverpool, who are currently occupying fourth spot. Whilst it is still early in the campaign and 12 points isn’t too much of a gap, compared to what United of the past have overcome, this one might just be a step too far, especially for a side in transition, after losing, arguably, the greatest club manager of all time.
