Manchester United came from behind to beat Everton as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer saw his side secure a much-needed win at Goodison Park.
Bruno Fernandes scored twice and Edinson Cavani opened his Manchester United account in a 3-1 win at Everton that will ease the pressure on manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
After back-to-back losses to Arsenal and Istanbul Basaksehir, Saturday’s Premier League clash at Goodison Park was viewed by some as a must-win match for Solskjaer amid increasing speculation over his future.
Things looked worrying for the Red Devils boss when Bernard put Carlo Ancelotti’s side ahead, but Fernandes scored twice before half-time and Cavani struck at the death to deliver three valuable points.
Anthony Martial, back from a three-game domestic suspension, dragged a shot wide from a promising position as United sought a positive start.
The visitors were behind 19 minutes in, though, as Bernard squeezed an effort into the bottom-left corner through Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s legs after Dominic Calvert-Lewin had helped on Jordan Pickford’s long kick.
Fernandes equalised in the previous meeting at this ground and he drew United level again, powering a header beyond Pickford after running into the box to meet Luke Shaw’s delivery.
The Portugal international then put his side ahead, his cross at the end of a 20-pass sequence going in off the right-hand post after Marcus Rashford had tried to glance it in.
United captain Harry Maguire wanted a penalty when Pickford and Michael Keane clashed with him after the Everton goalkeeper had dropped the ball, but neither the officials on the pitch nor those using VAR agreed.
Rashford smashed another strike at Pickford as United failed to find a third goal on the break, although they kept the home side at bay despite the Toffees controlling possession in the second half.
2 – The two longest passing sequences leading to a goal in the Premier League so far this season have both been scored by Manchester United; Aaron Wan-Bissaka against Newcastle (21 passes) and Bruno Fernandes’ equaliser today against Everton (20 passes). Building.
As Everton poured forward in injury time, Maguire’s interception sent Fernandes away on the break, and he waited before teeing up Cavani to sweep home.
