Everton 0-2 Manchester United: 5 talking points as Red Devils secure semi-final berth | EFL Cup 2020-21

Manchester United defeated Everton 2-0
Manchester United defeated Everton 2-0

#3 Lethargic Everton fail to turn up on home soil

Everton were dominated by Manchester United
Everton were dominated by Manchester United

Everton started the season brightly. Despite falling some way off the pace in recent weeks, the Merseysiders have since regained their form and came into this clash with consecutive morale-boosting victories over Chelsea, Leicester City, and Arsenal.

Led by the in-form Dominic Calvert-Lewin and supported by the rejuvenated Gylfi Sigurdsson, Carlo Ancelotti's side would have fancied their chances of giving Manchester United a run for their money, especially considering their recent struggles at the back.

However, that did not happen, as the hosts failed to truly test the visitors, evident by the fact that they did not register a single shot on target for the entirety of the second half.

#2 Isolated Calvert-Lewin prolongs goal drought

Calvert-Lewin was isolated against Manchester United
Calvert-Lewin was isolated against Manchester United

Dominic Calvert-Lewin has arguably been the revelation of the season so far, and his form in front of goal has seen him become more established on the international scene.

The 23-year-old is especially good in the air, while his combination with Richarlison has been very productive in the last year.

Despite this, Cavert-Lewin was left on the peripheries for most of the game and struggled to feed off scraps. He had just 30 touches in the full 90 minutes, with a sole shot on target recorded in the game.

This season, the England international has scored 16 goals for club and country but his blank against Manchester United means that he has now gone four games without scoring, his longest goal drought in the current campaign.

#1 Edinson Cavani proves value for Manchester United once again

Edinson Cavani broke the deadlock
Edinson Cavani broke the deadlock

Manchester United had yet another poor transfer window, which meant that free agent Edinson Cavani arrived as a last resort on transfer deadline day.

The Uruguay international had, of course, proved himself as an elite striker across spells with Paris Saint-Germain and Napoli but despite his reputation, his arrival was not greeted with acclaim by Manchester United fans.

The fact that he will turn 34 next February was considered a major departure from the club's policy of signing players within a younger age bracket. He also arrived at Old Trafford unfit, having not played professional football for almost a year.

Despite the criticism, he has gone about his business on the field, and his standout moment came when he stepped of the bench to spearhead a 3-2 comeback victory over Southampton.

Having seen his progress hampered by injury, Edinson Cavani reminded everybody of his importance with a brilliant strike at Goodison Park.

With the majority of his creative teammates, including Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba, struggling around him, the former Palermo man took it upon himself to break the deadlock with an individual piece of magic.

He picked up the ball 25 yards from goal before unleashing a left-footed stunner that gave Olsen no chance in the Everton post.

That was Cavani's 4th goal in the colours of Manchester United, and anybody who thought he had nothing to offer is advised to have a rethink.

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