Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Sports

Roberto Martinez’s Everton punish Man United on the counter

Then, United were allowed to dominate possession for long spells, with Chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho, instructing his players to sit in two banks of four to soak up pressure, forcing the Red Devils to break them down.

“We were not effective today, because we created a lot of chances in spite of the defensive organization of Chelsea – three in the first half to their zero. In the second half, we created eight chances and Chelsea three, so that’s unbelievably good,” Van Gaal said.

“We were the dominant team on the pitch but lost and, in football, the result is everything.”

Van Gaal welcomed back Daley Blind to midfield, which enabled Wayne Rooney to spearhead the attack, but the pattern — United dominating possession — remained at Goodison Park. The away side pressed high when Everton attempted to play out the back, with Marouane Fellaini dispossessing Gareth Barry early on, but firing his effort over the net. John Stones was also guilty of playing a poor pass in his own half, which saw United nearly find an equalizer through Rooney.

On the other hand, the midfield zone was fairly congested with James McCarthy tracking Ander Herrera, Barry tight on Fellaini and Ross Barkley cutting off Blind’s passing angles. United’s trio struggled to impose themselves throughout, with Fellaini, in particular, guilty of committing silly fouls and receiving a booking.

Paddy McNair received freedom to surge into Everton’s half to play positive passes, whereas Shaw displayed early signs optimism with his marauding runs behind Aaron Lennon — forcing goalkeeper Tim Howard off his line to make a vital save in the first half. Oddly, while United have been persistent with attacking down the left, this was the area that Everton quickly surged into in transition.

Everton’s main issue this season was identical to United’s activity in the final third. The Toffees lack the incisive passing and penetration to break down organized back-lines, and United’s intent to control the tempo was beneficial. All three Everton goals stemmed from direct attacks — the second from a terrific Stones header from a Leighton Baines corner kick – rather than bisecting United’s defence.

The first goal saw McCarthy surge forward into United’s half to play a pass into Seamus Coleman: although the right back’s pass towards Romelu Lukaku was poor, the former picked up the loose ball and skipped past Blind and McNair to slide his effort past David De Gea.

Another move at the half hour mark saw Aaron Lennon drop deep to receive the ball and play a pass into Coleman – who stormed past Young and Shaw – but Chris Smalling’s last ditch intervention prevented the right back’s pass from getting to Lukaku. Barkley’s effort at the stroke of half-time was also created down the right flank, as Lukaku nodded the ball behind Shaw for Lennon.

At 2-0, Everton’s task was simple. Martinez’s side dropped a few yards deeper and constantly launched balls into Lukaku — this was partially for the Belgian to isolate United’s centre-backs, but they equally looked vulnerable winning aerial duels due to the sun foiling Smalling’s view.

United didn’t improve after the break, however. Falcao replaced Fellaini, pushing Rooney into midfield, but Van Gaal’s side were now deprived of a legitimate aerial threat. The United manager turned to Angel Di Maria for the ineffective Juan Mata, but there was limited space available for the Argentine to run into and positively impact the match.

Still, United’s best chance of the half saw the two substitutes combine as Falcao ran between Everton’s centre-backs to meet Di Maria’s deep cross, but Tim Howard comfortably saved his tame header. Martinez also opted for pace by replacing Leon Osman for Kevin Mirallas. Mirallas played opportunist and ran past Valencia — that was initially for Lukaku who ran offside — to latch onto Barkley’s ball to score Everton’s third goal.

For the second consecutive week, a quality Premier League side freely sat deeper, allowing United to dominate possession. Considering the runners in Everton’s side, this was a logical approach that perhaps Martinez should have introduced earlier this season.

“We were dynamic on the counter attack, and to keep Manchester United as quiet as we did, keeping a clean sheet was pleasing,” Martinez said.

“We were dynamic on the counter attack, and to keep Manchester United as quiet as we did, keeping a clean sheet was pleasing.”

Nevertheless, Carrick’s significance in midfield grows in prominence when he’s unavailable. Everton’s midfield trio flustered Blind, Fellaini and Herrera, throughout, as United currently lack penetration and creativity in the final third. In truth, United have conceded four goals, whilst achieving 68 per-cent possession in their past two games — perhaps Van Gaal must identify an alternative approach against the top sides.

Written By

You may also like:

Business

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said the carrier was reviewing recent incidents and would redouble safety initiatives as needed - Copyright AFP Logan CyrusUnited...

World

US President Joe Biden speaks during a reception honoring Women's History Month at the White House - Copyright AFP Brendan SMIALOWSKIDanny KEMPUS President Joe...

Business

A Milei marks 100 days in office, thousands protest his austerity measures - Copyright AFP Luis ROBAYOLeila MACORArgentina’s President Javier Milei has slashed public...

Life

The Michelin Guide unveiled its annual list of the best French restaurants, praising the "cultural dynamism" of a new generation of chefs.