Anthony Martial struck Manchester United's 1000th Premier League goal at Old Trafford as Louis van Gaal's side maintained its push for the Champions League places with a 1-0 win over Everton.
Following an uneventful first half and a wave of Everton pressure to begin the second period, United became the first team to reach the landmark when Marcus Rashford and substitute Timothy Fosu-Mensah combined to set up Martial's 13th goal for United this season. The win moves the host back within a point of fourth-placed rival Manchester City, who it beat immediately before the international break, with seven matches remaining for each side. > The 10 most memorable Old Trafford goals in United's Premier League 1,000
Everton hit the crossbar through captain Phil Jagielka shortly after Martial's strike but could not avoid a first Premier League defeat on the road since October. Roberto Martinez's side remains 12th with eight league matches to play and could face United again in the FA Cup semi-final later this month if Van Gaal's men negotiate a quarter-final replay at West Ham. > Watch: Martial is exceptional - van Gaal
Before kick-off, United icon Bobby Charlton received a rousing ovation on the field as an in-stadium mosaic marked Old Trafford's South Stand being renamed in his honour. United was unchanged from its derby win over Manchester City last time out, while the visitor welcomed England defender John Stones back from international duty with a place at centre-back ahead of Ramiro Funes Mori.
Everton winger Gerard Deulofeu – recalled in the visitor's other change - darted menacingly past Marcos Rojo but failed to get a shot off after bursting into the United box. Both sides attacked willingly in an enterprising start and Martial saw his strike deflected narrowly beyond the far post by Everton full-back Leighton Baines.
David de Gea was out quickly to spare Chris Smalling, who lost his footing to leave reported United target Romelu Lukaku bearing down on goal in a first half which saw neither side produce a shot on target. Fosu-Mensah replaced Rojo at half-time and Matteo Darmian switched to left-back but Deulofeu continued to cause problems down the United left – his low cross to Lukaku prompting a last-ditch intervention from Smalling.
Daley Blind was the next man to bravely deny Lukaku and Smalling blocked from Tom Cleverley, although Everton's pressure would count for nothing when United picked it apart in the 54th minute. Teenage striker Rashford rolled a backheel into the path of Fosu-Mensah, whose low cross evaded Stones and Seamus Coleman for Martial to drill into the net via the legs of goalkeeper Joel Robles.
Jagielka thudded a header from Deulofeu's right-wing corner against the bar as Everton sought an immediate response. United, though, was attacking with increasing confidence by the time Martinez made a surprise call to replace the excellent Deulofeu with Kevin Mirallas.
The change did nothing to shake the impression that Everton had run out of ideas, until the excellent Blind departed through injury to give them late encouragement. Jagielka got on the end of a late set-piece but blasted too close to De Gea and Fosu-Mensah hacked a Coleman cross out of the goalmouth as United preserved a fourth consecutive home Premier League win.
Key Opta stats
- Ten of Manchester United's 15 Premier League games at Old Trafford this season have been goalless at half-time.
- Everton has suffered 200 defeats away from home in the Premier League.
- Anthony Martial is now Manchester United’s top scorer in the Premier League this season, with eight goals, one more than Wayne Rooney.
- The Red Devils have recorded four successive home wins for the first time since April last year (six in a row).
- United has conceded just seven goals in its last 15 Premier League games at Old Trafford.
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