After successfully winning against Brighton last Saturday and a brilliant display on Tuesday in the EFL Trophy (represented by the U21’s), the Manchester United Reserves continued quest for another victory.
Finding consistency is an important part of the attitude these youngsters should pick up this season given the results in late August. Coach Neil Wood made a few arrangements considering the last league game as he placed this XI: Kovar; Wellens, Mengi (c), Hardley, Fernandez; Savage, Svidersky; Hoogewerf, Shoretire, Iqbal; Elanga. Subs were as follows: Mee, McShane, Mainoo, Hugill, Emeran
Differently from several games this season, fans had the opportunity to watch the game on MUTV and on the other hand Everton broadcasted it on their YouTube channel. Everything was set in the Pure Stadium, and ready to start the game. It was the perfect start of the match for United as Dillon Hoogewerf picks Shola Shoretire on the right who got the Everton defender out of the way. Shola then rolls it across for Elanga, who makes no mistakes from a close range. The young reds remained dominant for the better part of the half as Elanga and Shoretire continued to make dangerous moves forward constantly.
Everton were showing signs of life, however it was Hoogewerf delivering a few crosses from early on. Despite the efforts no one was getting at the end of them. The following minutes spoke only about Everton as John and Mills were threatening Kovar’s goal but all was in vain. United certainly woke up in the half hour mark as Hoogewerf tests the goalkeeper but it was an easy save. Everton responded quickly via Hughes, strangely no one was there to pick the final ball.
It was United’s turn as Fernandez runs down past the left flank, made a low cross which met Shola’s left foot shot but it was deflected easily. United suffered a major blow in the end of the first half as Teden Mengi cannot continue any longer. He was back in his feet yet again a substitute is expected in the second half.
As the second half is ready to start, Mengi has made room for Paul McShane. Anthony Elanga went close to double United’s lead as the Swede’s free kick was saved by Barrett, with the Everton keeper making save after save tonight. Matej Kovar was called in action several times, as he has gone over the line to make some brilliant saves in a short amount of time.
It was obvious for many that United had fallen asleep and coach Neil Wood decided to make a few arrangements to wake United up. Hoogewerf and Iqbal made space for Emeran and Hugill. Despite this United are yet to react as McAllister goes close in what would have been a brilliant goal for them. It did not take long for both United substitutes to make an impression as Hugill’s cross is not high enough to reach Emeran wasting an opportunity to close the deal.
Hugill has looked a greater threat for United in the last few minutes as he two brilliant chances in the space of five minutes. Everton had a penalty appeal turned down as McAllister tackles Shola in the United box but falls down in the process and protests about a penalty.
The weirdest thing happens minutes later in what seemed a massive brawl with Whitaker and Elanga the protagonists. Fernandez and the rest get involved. In the process Whitaker, Elanga and Hardley get sent off after a series of contests. With two men down United now just were trying to hold into that early lead and they do so after the referee blew the whistle after the 99th minute. Three valuable points in a strange end of the game with the referee once again losing the plot. A typical Everton behaviour, but first things first: United get the win in the end.
