in Manchester United, Match Review

Match Report: Lukaku Scores Against Former Club as Manchester United Sweep Aside Everton

He may have been a beloved figure in his three seasons at Goodison Park, but Romelu Lukaku may have lost some of his Everton fans on Sunday. The Belgian sharpshooter scored against Everton at Old Trafford during the weekend, helping Manchester United win 4-0.

Lukaku showed no restraint when he celebrated his goal, silencing the away fans in attendance. His opposite number Wayne Rooney, however, did not have the same fairy tale. The United all-time goalscorer scuppered three key chances during the game, which cost his boyhood club dear in the end.

The emphatic 4-0 victory meant United have kept their pace against rivals Manchester City in the table with 13 points after five games. Both sides are tied on points, goal difference, and goals scored. If the Premier League ended now, then a play-off game would’ve been played to determine the champion.

Manchester United were off to a blistering start as they’ve managed to score as early as the fourth minute. Colombian wide-man Antonio Valencia scores with a stunner from range, assisted by the intelligent pass from new arrival Nemanja Matic. It was a beautiful goal from the Reds veteran, who did a fantastic run from right-back towards the 18-yard box with agility to position himself for the opener.

After the full-throttled start, Everton managed to get their bearings and get chances of their own. Former Manchester United captain Rooney came close to scoring the equaliser. After an accurate cross from Everton defender Cuco Martina, the ball lands in front of the veteran Rooney, who shoots its past David de Gea, only for the ball to go wide.

From one former player to another, Lukaku also had a miss when he went one-on-one with Everton keeper Jonathan Pickford. The former Everton man rarely fails from close range head-to-head against goalies, but he did so today, missing a golden opportunity to score his side’s second goal.

The second half saw Everton transform into a side eager to attack. Rooney had two golden chances just before the hour mark, but none would find the back of the net. The Englishman did his side no favours in those missed chances, which eventually cost the Toffees dear.

Manchester United left it late to score three rapid-fire goals. A mistake from Toffees centre-back Ashley Williams was pounced on by Marouane Fellaini. The big Belgian passed the ball to his compatriot Lukaku on his right. In turn, Lukaku finds a running Henrikh Mkhitaryan on the left who cooly slots the ball home.

Then came Lukaku’s moment. A minute before the end of regulation time, the former Everton man pounced on a headed pass from Matic to score from close range. The Belgian did not restrain himself in celebrating the goal, needling the Everton fans along the way.

The cherry on top came via Anthony Martial. His pace on the ball forced another former United player, Morgan Schneiderlin, to handle the ball inside the box, forcing referee Andre Marriner to call for the penalty. The Frenchman would steel himself and score the penalty.

In the end, United would win the game 4-0. And while many pundits would say the scoreline does not give Everton justice, what matters is the result. The Red Devils have been persistent, dogged, determined – qualities needed to become a champion.

Could the Reds pull it off, though? Do they have enough to win the Premier League this time round? That is yet to be seen.

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