Everton 2-0 Manchester United : Five Talking Points

Two first-half goals from Leighton Baines and Kevin Mirallas was enough to seal Everton's first League double over Manchester United since 1970. The win also moved Everton to within a point off Arsenal with just three games to go.Here are the five major talking points from the game.

#1 United dominate possession, but unable to do much with it

One look at the possession stats would tell you that United enjoyed plenty of the ball. But, unfortunately for Moyes, for all their possession, they never really created too many clear cut chances. The defensive discipline shown by Everton, coupled with their high pressing meant that United were unable to penetrate the Toffees' back line.

And on the few occasions that United got near the penalty area, they looked reluctant to shoot. With Chicharito and Welbeck on the bench, United lacked the pace to get in behind the Everton defence and with just Rooney up front, they also didn’t have anybody to aim for with their crosses.

All in all, United had plenty of possession, but not much else.

#2 Evertons persistent pressure pays off

Football isn’t just a game of a technique and talent, but of temperament as well. Although some would argue that both sides are equally matched in terms of talent, in terms of their application and their industry, there was just one winner on the pitch.

One of the biggest changes in Everton this season isn’t their quality on the ball, but the work that they do off it. Every single player understands the need for putting pressure on the man with the ball, and that was evident against United. Even when they were 2-0 up and cruising, the pressure never relented and that forced United into mistakes they wouldn’t have otherwise committed.

#3 Everton win the battle on the wings

When you are up against the League’s most destructive full back pairing, you could do worse than to hold your shape on the wings. So it was somewhat surprising to see that Moyes went with Kagawa, a player who likes to drift inside and Nani, who doesn’t track back, on the wings.

That meant that neither Buttner nor Smalling got any cover in defence and it was from the wings that Everton posed a threat all-day long. The frightening regularity with which Coleman got behind the United back line was alarming. And because help was never forthcoming, both the Everton full backs, Baines and Coleman, had a field day with their marauding runs in the opposition half.

#4 Another abject failure against a top-six side

Not much has gone right for David Moyes and Manchester United this season. One of few bright spots has been their away form. United came into this game on the back of five straight away clean sheets and with the second-best away record in the League.

Unfortunately for Moyes, it wasn’t five away wins on the bounce, but their 11th defeat of the campaign. It also meant that United finished with just 6 points from a possible 36 against the top six. Arsenal were the only team that they beat and Liverpool, Everton and Manchester City have all done the double over United this season.

Only goes onto show why United are where they are right now.

#5 Both managers have a busy summer ahead

On the evidence of the season so far, both managers certainly have plenty of work to do in the summer.

For Moyes, the identification and purchase of several big-name players will occupy most of his summer. On the other hand, Martinez’s time will be used up to ensure that the players who are on-loan like Romelu Lukaku, Gareth Barry and Gerard Deulofeu are either signed permanently or adequate replacements are lined up.

Irrespective of how this season ends, for both sides, there is sure to be plenty of work in the summer for both managers if the next season is to be better.