Alejandro Garnacho smashed in a sensational goal-of-the-season contender as Manchester United beat Everton in the Toffees’ first game since their 10-point deduction.
Garnacho’s incredible third-minute effort silenced the fiery home faithful at Goodison Park, as fans vented their fury with anti-Premier League protests following their unprecedented sanction.
There looked to be no danger when Diogo Dalot dinked a cross into the box, but Garnacho had other ideas, taking a couple of steps back before leaping into the Merseyside sky and unleashing an unstoppable bicycle kick which sailed over Jordan Pickford and into the net.
The goal was the only chance that United created in the first half and Everton will be left wondering how they did not go in at least level at the break.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin was the home side’s main culprit in their flurry of chances, drawing decent saves from Andre Onana and sending a gilt-edged opportunity with a free header over the bar.
United, without suspended manager Erik ten Hag on the touchline, had given a debut to impressive 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo and the midfielder made a superb clearance off the line to deny Dwight McNeil.
Everton were made to rue their numerous misses as Ashley Young was adjudged to have tripped Anthony Martial in the box and Marcus Rashford stepped up to confidently score the penalty.
Martial finished off a slick team move for United’s third as they moved up to sixth in the Premier League, while Everton are in significant trouble at the bottom end, in 19th position and five points from safety.
A goal which will be talked about for years
United needed to somehow find a way of silencing the vociferous Everton fans that were enraged by the 10-point deduction and they did that within three minutes of the first whistle.
Garnacho’s second goal of the season will be talked about for years, catching a cross so sweetly to score that even he seemed surprised at how good it was during his celebration.
The strike quickly drew comparisons with Wayne Rooney’s overhead kick for United against Manchester City 12 years ago.
It lit up an otherwise odd showing from United, who managed to leave Goodison with the three points having clung on in the first half.
Much has been made about the Red Devils’ all-round performances but they were clinical here when all their previous league victories this season had come by a one-goal margin.
This was their fifth victory in their past six league games, leaving them only six points behind leaders Arsenal.
Rashford’s second-half penalty was only his second goal in 17 appearances against the Toffees and will provide much-needed confidence in a difficult season in front of goal, while Martial netted his first league goal since May.
Fellow academy product Mainoo shone on his first league start for the club, expertly patrolling the area in between the defence and midfield.
This was an important win for United as they head to Istanbul to face Galatasaray in the Champions League on Wednesday, bottom of their group and knowing defeat will end hopes of progression into the knockout stages.
Toffees now in relegation scrap
This was supposed to be the day of defiance for Everton and their supporters, nine days on from receiving the biggest sporting sanction in Premier League history.
Fans marched to the ground in huge numbers and there were deafening jeers during the Premier League anthem as they displayed their ire and looked to set their side on the road to recovery.
But it all fell flat following Garnacho’s goal as Sean Dyche’s side conspired to lose their fifth home game from seven this season.
Despite being docked points, there has been confidence from pundits and supporters that they will survive in the top flight this season, but the form of Luton and Bournemouth outside the relegation zone will provide Everton with huge cause for concern.
Striker Calvert-Lewin was unable to take the chances that fell his way, a low effort and towering header were straight at Onana and the United goalkeeper also made a smart save from a poked shot.
Idrissa Gueye forced the Cameroon international into an even better stop in the second half and when he was beaten by Vitaliy Mykolenko’s strike, the left-back’s effort cannoned against the crossbar.
Everton slumped to a club record 11th home league defeat in the calendar year and travel to Nottingham Forest on Saturday, knowing they need to return to winning ways quickly to avoid getting cast adrift inside the bottom three.