Substitute Benjamin Sesko notched the only goal of a somewhat scrappy affair as Manchester United saw off Everton to move into the Premier League top four.
Everton might have made a dream start when Thierno Barry charged down Senne Lammens’ clearance within seconds of kick-off, but the Man United goalkeeper’s blushes were spared as the ball ricocheted well wide.
A frantic start to the sides’ first meeting at Hill Dickinson Stadium continued as Matheus Cunha saw his shot blocked by Man United teammate Amad – who subsequently forced Jordan Pickford into the game’s first save before James Tarkowski tidied up with an important goal-line clearance.
With both teams losing possession in careless fashion throughout, the first half was one of few clear-cut chances.
United, though, gave the hosts a slight scare around the half-hour mark, Diogo Dalot flashing a long-range half-volley just wide of a scrambling Pickford’s left-hand post after Everton had cleared Bruno Fernandes’ free-kick cross from the right.
Bryan Mbeumo then could have done better, dragging his effort from the edge of the box beyond the same post.
Everton produced their first shot on target soon after that, ex-United man James Garner working – though not testing – Lammens with a dipping free-kick, but the sides remained deadlocked at the end of an opening 45 minutes lacking in quality – perhaps a product of neither team having played for 13 days due to being out of the FA Cup.
David Moyes’ Toffees came out all guns blazing at the beginning of the second half, though Harrison Armstrong left Lammens with a routine save to make with a shot from just inside the box after some skilful work from Iliman Ndiaye to find Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
Mbuemo then had the best chance of the night yet, blazing over from a handful of yards out when, despite a tight angle, he ought to have done better with only Pickford to beat.
With United lacking potency in front of goal, Michael Carrick turned to his bench and sent on Sesko in place of Amad – and, as Everton seemed to be turning the screw, it was the big Slovenian who came up with the decisive moment.
Cunha sent a devastating ball over the top from deep inside his own half, which Mbeumo latched onto and squared to the open Sesko – who produced a fine first-time finish into the bottom right-hand corner to cap a scintillating counter-attacking move.
Having come off the bench to score a last-gasp winner against Fulham and an even later equaliser against West Ham United in recent weeks, the 22-year-old celebrated in the manner of a player hell-bent on nailing down a regular starting spot.
United also had another of their off-season arrivals to thank for victory, Lammens superbly getting fingertips to Michael Keane’s rising 25-yard attempt to tip it over the crossbar.
Carrick’s men had to fend off a succession of Everton corners – the hosts won 10 in all to United’s one – but came close to doubling their lead in stoppage time, Pickford doing well to thwart Sesko in a one-on-one situation on the break.
Lammens was called into action one last time, holding onto substitute Tyrique George’s powerful effort, ensuring United left with all three points on their first trip to Everton’s new home and kept their first away Premier League clean sheet since winning 3-0 at Leicester City 11 months ago.
United go three points clear of Chelsea and three behind Aston Villa in the race for Champions League qualification, while Everton remain ninth as they chase European football themselves.
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