Martinez's Everton triumph at Old Trafford

, 4 December, 0comments  |  Jump to most recent
Manchester United 0 - 1 Everton

Everton banished a 21-year Old Trafford hoodoo and heaped more pressure on former manager David Moyes as Bryan Oviedo's late strike sealed a famous victory that vindicated the positive approach of new boss, Roberto Martinez.

The Costa Rican fullback struck his second goal in as many games four minutes from the end when it looked as though the two sides were destined to share the spoils of an entertaining goalless draw.

Alert goalkeeping by Tim Howard had foiled Wayne Rooney and Shinji Kagawa in the first half, the former also seeing a heavily deflected effort come back off the post, while David de Gea in the home goal had fisted Kevin Mirallas' fizzing drive over and then denied Romelu Lukaku with his legs as both sides had chances to open their account.

The Blues maintained a disciplined shape and a determined defensive posture in the second half as Moyes tried to ratchet up the pressure in response to growing unease from the home fans but they needed a touch of fortune with 20 minutes left when the ball came off the woodwork for a second time.

Howard parried Evra's point-blank header into the path of Danny Welbeck but the England striker could only head onto the crossbar and Everton survived.

At the other end, substitute Gerard Deulofeu looked to have spurned the Blues' best chance of grabbing the points when he shot straight at the 'keeper when put clean through by Lukaku.

But when Mirallas fired a direct free kick agonisingly off the outside of the post, Everton kept the ball and eventually worked it back into the box via Phil Jagielka's pass and when Lukaku fired it across the area, Oviedo popped up at the back post to slot the ball home from the angle.

The win is Everton's first in this fixture since August 1992 and marks for Martinez an achievement that eluded his predecessor for his entire 11-year at Goodison Park.

Wins elsewhere for the Blues' rivals for the Champions League places mean that Everton stay in fifth despite tonight's victory but they will travel to leaders Arsenal on Sunday with greater belief having beaten the Champions on their own turf.

Quotes or other material sourced from ToffeeWeb Match Reports





About these ads

© ToffeeWeb