Man Utd reignite top-four hopes with victory despite Everton scare - 5 talking points - The Mirror

MANCHESTER UNITED 2-0 EVERTON: Goals from Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford earned the Red Devils a vital three points in their bid for a top-four place this season

Manchester United reignited their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League after two first-half penalties helped them to a 2-0 win over Everton at Old Trafford.

Despite a bright start from the Toffees, it was United who took the lead. Bruno Fernandes slotted home from the spot after Alejandro Garnacho was brought down. Erik ten Hag's side weren't at their fluent best but doubled their advantage in the 36th minute as Marcus Rashford scored from 12 yards.

Like the first-half, Everton begun the second period brightly but just couldn't score. The Toffees were lacklustre in the final third, while United looked dangerous on the counter-attack. Garnacho, who was superb throughout, should have given the Red Devils a third on the hour mark, but he failed to hit the target.

That didn't matter to the scoreline, however, as United returned to winning ways and gave their top-four bid a major boost after back-to-back defeats against Fulham and Manchester City. Here are five talking points from the match.

Fernandes breaks record

After going 15 Premier League matches without scoring, Fernandes was handed an opportunity from the penalty spot to break his barren drought. The 29-year-old, who most previously found the back of the net in the top-flight against Fulham in November, kept his composure to give United the lead.

Fernandes coolly side-footed the ball into the bottom corner despite the best efforts of Jordan Pickford, who went the right way but couldn't prevent it from going in. In the process, Fernandes became United's highest-ever penalty scorer with his 29th for the club, having eclipsed Ruud van Nistelrooy (28).

Two in two for Rashford

Following his wonder-strike at Manchester City last weekend, Rashford found the net for the second time in six days as he struck from the penalty spot against Everton. Fernandes handed the baton over to the England international, who stuttered before slotting the ball into the corner, sending Pickford the wrong way.

That was the third time Rashford has scored a penalty against the Toffees, with the forward also netting from 12 yards in the reverse fixture back in November. He has now scored five goals in his last nine Premier League appearances after a frustrating start to the campaign.

Clever Garnacho

If it wasn't for Garnacho, United might not have beaten Everton. He was the difference - especially in the first-half - by winning two penalties and causing problems all afternoon. In the 11th minute, the Argentine was fouled by James Tarkowski to earn United a spot-kick, which Fernandes duly scored.

Then later in the half, Garnacho won the Red Devils a second penalty after he glided through the Everton midfield before Ben Godfrey sent him flying to the deck, with Rashford converting this time.

Moments before the break, Garnacho had an opportunity to score himself after Scott McTominay played him through on goal, but he took too long and Jarrad Branthwaite got back to prevent the danger. He had another chance minutes into the second-half, but blazed the ball over.

Everton their own worst enemy

Heading into the trip to Old Trafford, only Liverpool had missed more big chances than Everton in the Premier League this season. And the Toffees showed exactly why they are struggling in front of goal. Sean Dyche's men dominated large spells of the game, but were undone after failing to convert their opportunities.

Throughout the match, Everton had 23 shots - eight more than United - including six on target. They also created one big chance and could have scored on a number of occasions. But the Toffees failed to find the net and that's the eighth time in 11 Premier League matches that they have drew a blank.

Whether it's a confidence issue or not, but the Toffees are definitely lacking killer instinct in the penalty area and that could cost them survival this season. They currently sit 16th, five points above 18th place Luton, who face Crystal Palace in their game in hand at 3pm on Saturday.

United handed Champions League boost

With Aston Villa and Tottenham facing off against each-other on Sunday, United needed to beat Everton to crank up the pressure on the two above them in the Champions League race. It wasn't the most accomplished performance from the Red Devils, but they did enough to win the game.

Victory for Ten Hag's side moves them to within two points of fifth-place Tottenham and eight behind Villa in fourth. However, United could fall further off the pace with Spurs boasting two games in hand, while Unai Emery's Villa have played one match fewer.

Due to a revamp of the Champions League format, fifth place might secure qualification for Europe's elite club competition but United will no doubt have their sights set on the top-four just in case. United face Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-final next weekend, but are next in Premier League action against Brentford on March 30.

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