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MATCH PREVIEW
The last time Manchester United played at Goodison, a publicity stunt ‘Grim Reaper’ was ejected for hovering close to David Moyes.
That was Moyes’ 34th league game in charge of Manchester United, also his last.
This will be Louis van Gaal’s 34th Premier League game – and while it’s unlikely anybody is going to be waving a scythe at the Dutchman on this particular visit, he appeared a bit spooked during his tetchy Match Of The Day interview last week.
Van Gaal has enjoyed just two more league victories in his debut season at Old Trafford, and his team has only scored three more league goals, than under Moyes.
The key difference, of course, has been far fewer defeats – roughly half – and that resilience has set the club on target for a return to the Champions League next season.
While the recruitment of Moyes from Everton didn’t work out, Marouane Fellaini has risen to the challenge this season. This is his first return to Goodison Park since leaving – the last time he played in this fixture he scored the winning goal for Everton.
Eleven years on from his departure, Wayne Rooney will once again expect ghostly boos from fans who used to adore him.
After recording their best ever Premier League points tally last season, Everton have struggled to match it this campaign.
It is nine years since they last finished outside the top 10. Everton begin this weekend 12th in the table, but unbeaten in five league games. Roberto Martinez will be hoping for a strong finish.
The spirit of Moyes will lurk strongly, watching the two managers who replaced him.
Everton lost 2-1 at Old Trafford in October and Angel Di Maria got one of the goals. The Argentinean hasn’t scored a league goal since. Scary stuff.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
- Everton are looking for a third consecutive home win over Manchester United.
- United have won on only one of their last six trips to Goodison Park (W1, D2, L3).
- United’s 2-1 win when the sides met at Old Trafford in October propelled the Red Devils into the top four for the first time in over a year.
- Everton have lost 31 Premier League games against Manchester United, four more than against any other opponent.
Everton
- Everton are unbeaten in their last five Premier League matches, winning four of them.
- The Toffees are unbeaten at home in all competitions in 2015 (W5, D5) and have won their last three Premier League matches at Goodison Park without conceding.
- Everton have dropped 19 points from winning positions, more than any other team in the Premier League this season.
- They have missed three penalties this season – more than any other top-flight side.
- Romelu Lukaku is one of only four players to have scored a Premier League hat-trick versus Manchester United (Dirk Kuyt, David Bentley and Samuel Eto’o the others).
Manchester United
- Manchester United’s six-game winning run in the Premier League came to an end at Chelsea last weekend.
- The Red Devils have won just three of their last nine away league games (D4, L2).
- Last week marked a year since David Moyes was sacked as United manager. His dismissal came after a 2-0 defeat at Everton.
- Radamel Falcao hasn’t managed to fire a single shot on target in his last eight Premier League appearances for Man Utd, despite playing 355 minutes in these games.
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| Half time | K.U-Comrades Forum |
Game Events:
47:25
Delay in match Luke Shaw (Manchester United) because of an injury.
47:25
Delay in match Ross Barkley (Everton) because of an injury.
46:13
Attempt saved. Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Chris Smalling.
46:11
Attempt missed. Chris Smalling (Manchester United) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Ashley Young with a cross following a corner.
45:42
Corner, Manchester United. Conceded by Leighton Baines.
45:00
Second Half begins Everton 2, Manchester United 0.
45:00Substitution
SubstitutionSubstitution, Manchester United. Falcao replaces Marouane Fellaini.
45:00+1:06Half time
Half TimeFirst Half ends, Everton 2, Manchester United 0.
44:15
Attempt missed. Ross Barkley (Everton) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Aaron Lennon.
43:35
Hand ball by Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United).
43:10
Corner, Manchester United. Conceded by Aaron Lennon.
41:14
Corner, Everton. Conceded by Patrick McNair.
40:36
Attempt blocked. Juan Mata (Manchester United) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Antonio Valencia.
40:22
Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
40:22
Foul by Gareth Barry (Everton).
38:09
Ander Herrera (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
38:09
Foul by James McCarthy (Everton).
34:14Goal scored
Goal!Goal! Everton 2, Manchester United 0. John Stones (Everton) header from the centre of the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Leighton Baines with a cross following a corner.
33:48
Corner, Everton. Conceded by Wayne Rooney.
33:27
Corner, Everton. Conceded by Marouane Fellaini.
32:44
Corner, Everton. Conceded by Chris Smalling.
32:07
Attempt blocked. Ashley Young (Manchester United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Wayne Rooney.
29:20
Ashley Young (Manchester United) wins a free kick on the left wing.
29:20
Foul by Seamus Coleman (Everton).
28:15
Attempt missed. Ashley Young (Manchester United) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Wayne Rooney.
26:51
Attempt saved. Romelu Lukaku (Everton) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Seamus Coleman.
25:23
Foul by Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United).
25:23
Gareth Barry (Everton) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
24:44
Corner, Manchester United. Conceded by Gareth Barry.
24:42
Attempt blocked. Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Ashley Young with a cross.
23:19
Foul by Ashley Young (Manchester United).
23:19
Seamus Coleman (Everton) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
21:16
Attempt blocked. Ander Herrera (Manchester United) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Wayne Rooney.
19:32
Attempt saved. Chris Smalling (Manchester United) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Juan Mata with a cross.
18:37
Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United) wins a free kick on the right wing.
18:37
Foul by Leighton Baines (Everton).
16:50
Corner, Everton. Conceded by Chris Smalling.
15:53
Attempt saved. Daley Blind (Manchester United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Ander Herrera.
13:35
Foul by Chris Smalling (Manchester United).
13:35
John Stones (Everton) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
13:10
Corner, Manchester United. Conceded by Aaron Lennon.
12:43
Attempt saved. Leon Osman (Everton) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Romelu Lukaku.
12:41
Attempt blocked. Romelu Lukaku (Everton) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
11:35Booking
BookingMarouane Fellaini (Manchester United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
11:33
Foul by Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United).
11:33
Ross Barkley (Everton) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
10:46
Foul by Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United).
10:46
Seamus Coleman (Everton) wins a free kick on the right wing.
8:18
Offside, Manchester United. Wayne Rooney tries a through ball, but Juan Mata is caught offside.
6:31
Attempt missed. Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.
4:07Goal scored
Goal!Goal! Everton 1, Manchester United 0. James McCarthy (Everton) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner following a fast break.
3:30
Corner, Manchester United. Conceded by Leighton Baines.
2:23
Luke Shaw (Manchester United) wins a free kick on the left wing.
2:23
Foul by Aaron Lennon (Everton).
0:49
Attempt blocked. Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Juan Mata.
0:00
First Half begins.
0:00
Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
