Manchester United recorded back to back wins for the first time this season with a 2-1 win over Everton at Old Trafford
Angel Di Maria continued his good start at Old Trafford with his third Premier League goal in five games. In the 27th minute, Juan Mata laid the ball off neatly for the onrushing Di Maria who placed a curled snapshot through a crowded box and past Tim Howard.
Leighton Baines had a chance to tie the game at 1-1 in the dying moments of the first half but his penalty – awarded for a foul by Luke Shaw on Tony Hibbert – was saved by David De Gea. It was a tame attempt by Baines’ standards – with his previously unblemished Premier League penalty record – and De Gea gratefully kept the home side ahead with a fine one handed save.
Baines atoned for the miss early in the second half, laying on a fine cross for Gary Naismith in the 55th minute, which Naismith happily plundered to maximum effect.
The decisive moment in the game came in the 62nd minute, when Radamel Falcao scored his first goal for Manchester United. The Colombian scored from six yards out, connecting with a low long range Di Maria shot. Hovering n a hollow left by trailing Everton defenders, Falcao found an inch and met Di Maria’s wayward strike, shooting high past Howard to put the home side ahead.
De Gea might have been content with the penalty stop, but the keeper was in imperious form and provided a display of stunning saves to bring Old Trafford to its feet in the final minutes of the game. Spectacular saves denied both Gareth Barry and Bryan Oviedo as the United faithful saw the Spaniard at full stretch to keep the points safe and, perhaps, provide an opportunity for a turning point for Van Gaal and United's season.
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
