Gordon’s shot deflected in the first half was the difference between an Everton team that squandered its life and a United team facing embarrassing moves. They enjoyed plenty of possession, but a lifeless, apathetic appearance underscored the extent of the project manager’s legacy to potential successor Erik ten Hag. Frank Lampard is still facing an important job to keep Everton in the top division, but here was the answer he longed for in categories where his players do not have the character and quality to survive. Ben Godfrey was huge in central defense, Fabian Delph and Alex Iwobi tireless in midfield, while Richarlison and Vitalii Mykolenko did their best to maintain a crucial three-pointer. Apprehension had chased Goodison after two disastrous, self-destructive defeats to West Ham and Burnley that had pushed Everton closer to the hatch and raised suspicions that its players had been mentally shot. Lampard responded by recalling Alan and Michael Keane from punishment, abandoning Abdoulaye Doucouré and turning to Delph’s experience at center-back. It was the 32-year-old’s seventh appearance in another season suffering from injuries, but his 200th in the Premier League overall. Delph and Alan provided a deep but valuable shield to a defense that was causing its own problems given Keane’s tendency to give up cheaply. Man United of Cristiano Ronaldo shoots towards the goal of Everton. Photo: Michael Regan / Getty Images It was a game of poor quality, as expected from a team immersed in relegation problems, but not with ambitions to qualify for the Champions League. United faced a glamorous but brief opening in Everton with minimal fuss to dominate the possession and force their hosts to retreat. Jordan Pickford saved well from Marcus Rasford, after Delph executed a dangerous foul by Bruno Fernandes towards the United striker, as he lurked unmarked on the edge of the penalty area. The Everton goalkeeper again denied Rasford, with a clever rebound to his right, when Fernandes’s inviting cross found the striker leaping between two defenders. Everton had made few threats. Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s painful recovery from a long-term injury tested the home side’s patience, as did Allan when he was sent off in midfield by Cristiano Ronaldo. However, Everton later found a lifeline. Gordon put himself in a challenge to regain possession and suddenly Lhis’s team was on the front foot. Richarlison’s attempt to find Iwobi inside the area was thwarted by Nemanja Matic, starting in place of the injured Scott McTominay, but his touch found Gordon alone outside the area. He made a shot towards the goal, David de Gea had covered it, but he needed a huge deflection from Harry Maguire’s hip and sailed over the unjust goalkeeper. A little of the significant weight that Everton has lifted. Keane headed in a foul by Gordon a few moments later. Richardson almost scored both with a second missed goal when, having beautifully trapped Pickford’s long distance, his shot went over De Gea through Victor Lindelof’s heel. The goalkeeper reacted wonderfully and overturned over his crossbar. I could not say the same about his teammates. Frank Lampard celebrates with Everton fans after the 1-0. Photo: Carl Recine / Action Images / Reuters The visitors lost Fred due to injury in the first half, but the introduction of Paul Pogba did nothing for the urgency or creativity of their performance. Rangnik asked for a response on the contact line, Ronaldo made his annoyance clear, choosing a late booking because he kicked a dead ball in the crowd, but the final product was non-existent. The few promising situations they created were repulsed by Godfrey and Keane, who showed a much improved performance in the second half. Everton tried to defend their lead for most of the second half, but the penalty appeal was disallowed when Gordon fell into an altercation with Alex Teles. Neither the referee, Jonathan Moss, nor the VAR moved. The Fiver: sign up and receive our daily football email. There was anxiety in the home team when the fourth official, Martin Atkinson, was five minutes late. Ronaldo had a good chance when Maguire got in his way, but Pickford made a vital save once again and Everton was put off. Richarlison, Iwobi and Mykolenko all fell to the ground in utter exhaustion and relief at the last whistle. They have not been done yet.
