Fernandes and Rashford penalties seal 2-0 win for United vs Everton

Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford converted penalties, securing a 2-0 victory for Manchester United over Everton on Saturday. This win, the first in three Premier League games for United, revitalizes their aspirations for a top-four finish.

Erik ten Hag’s team, currently sixth with 47 points, closed the gap to fourth-placed Aston Villa, who has 55 points with a game in hand. Fifth-placed Tottenham, with 50 points and two games in hand, plays against Villa on Sunday. Meanwhile, Sean Dyche’s Everton, enduring an 11-game winless streak, sits 16th with 25 points, five points above the relegation zone.

Both penalties resulted from clumsy challenges on Alejandro Garnacho, and despite Everton dominating play for extended periods, they were against the run of play. Fernandes converted the first penalty in the 12th minute, and he handed the ball to Rashford for the second in the 36th minute. Rashford cleverly dispatched the penalty, fooling keeper Jordan Pickford.

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Fernandes, now the club’s all-time leading scorer from penalties with 29 conversions, showcased his skill with a stunning free kick in the first half, expertly saved by Pickford. Garnacho had a near miss when Fernandes set him up in the second half, but the 19-year-old’s shot sailed just over the bar.

Despite Everton’s 23 shots compared to United’s 15, poor finishing, including a late opportunity with Lewis Dobbin and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, thwarted their chances. Everton is perilously close to equaling their record for consecutive Premier League games without a win (12 in 1994), with one defeat or draw separating them from the unwanted feat.