Marcus Rashford scored for a fifth successive game as Manchester United increased the pressure on Everton boss Frank Lampard with a 3-1 FA Cup victory at Old Trafford.
Everton were applauded off by their travelling support for showing admirable character, after their side suffered the shock of going behind after just three minutes when Antony turned home Rashford’s far-post cross but had the character to fight back.
A goal well deserved 🙌@MarcusRashford has been unplayable tonight!#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/uqQjX1VK5M
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 6, 2023
Conor Coady rammed home a 13th-minute equaliser when David de Gea calamitously allowed Neal Maupay’s apparently harmless cross to roll though his legs as he appeared to think it was about to hit the outside of his post.
Even after Alex Iwobi was stretchered off in obvious pain after he suffered an ankle injury in a tackle with Tyrell Malacia, Lampard’s players continued to battle hard.
But once some brilliant approach play from Rashford had deceived Coady into turning the forward’s cross into his own net, the visitors’ character alone was not enough.
And after Dominic Calvert-Lewin had a goal ruled out for offside, man-of-the-match Rashford kept his nerve to beat international team-mate Jordan Pickford from the spot deep into injury time.
Rashford good, De Gea not so good
There was an irony in De Gea making such a huge blunder on the same day as United confirmed one-time England keeper Jack Butland had joined them on loan.
In the build-up to the game, Ten Hag had taken the unusual step of talking about Butland before his loan from Crystal Palace until the end of the season had been completed. In doing so, the United boss said more than once it was clear De Gea was his first choice.
The goal was bad enough but De Gea, whose form this season has generally been excellent, almost gifted Everton a second equaliser deep into the second half when he dithered over a clearance outside his area and was fortunate Calvert-Lewin didn’t seize the opportunity.
The former Spain keeper is still in negotiations over an extension to his contract, which expires in the summer. Mistakes like those in this game will strengthen United’s position in believing he is not worth his current £375,000-a-week, although the belief is that a compromise position will eventually be reached.
In contrast, Rashford is in just the right form to think United’s hierarchy will want him to stay far longer than the end of next season, which his present deal has been extended until.
In addition to his goal and two assists, Rashford brought a superb fingertip save out of Pickford and provided by far the most potent attacking threat in a team that didn’t always hit the heights.
However, with 10 wins out of 11 in all competitions, United are in good heart before a week that includes an EFL Cup quarter-final with League One Charlton before they entertain Manchester City on 14 January.
Everton fans make their feelings known
Given the mutinous atmosphere at the final whistle at Goodison Park on Tuesday as Everton collapsed to a 4-1 home defeat by Brighton, and the simmering discontent that led to three chants of ‘Sack the Board’ from the 9,500-strong visiting contingent in the 15 minutes before kick-off, conceding a goal so early must have been extremely worrying for Lampard.
For a short time afterwards, it appeared Everton would be swept away as their hosts looked to build on their early success.
It is to the credit of Lampard’s players that they clung on and had started to play themselves into the contest before De Gea’s error gifted them an equaliser.
Coady’s personality is so positive and his influence so great, Gareth Southgate has taken the defender to two tournaments, even though he has not given him a game.
The man many at Wolves wish was still their captain epitomises the fighting spirt Everton are desperate for in their current plight.
It was unfortunate he was responsible for United’s second but, typically, he refused to let the setback affect him.
The players’ collective contribution was recognised by the Everton fans after the final whistle but once more there were chants for those running the club to leave, rather than Lampard, who remains under pressure after two draws and six defeats in the past eight games.
Man Utd apology
As they celebrated their side’s second goal, a section of the Manchester United fans chanted ‘Sacked in the morning’ at Lampard and followed up with a familiar homophobic chant about Chelsea, the club he had a stellar playing career with.
In October, after a similar song was sung by United fans at Stamford Bridge, the club released a statement condemning the abuse, and after this latest incident they reiterated their position.
“Homophobia, like all forms of discrimination, has no place in football. Manchester United are proud of our diverse fan base and the work we have done to reduce instances like we sadly heard today,” the club said.
“We will continue to campaign for inclusivity and to tackle discriminatory abuse whether inside stadiums or online. This includes working with fan groups to educate fans on the offence which discriminatory language causes.”
