ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Everton 4
Man United 0
LONDON • It was defeat on a sunny Easter Sunday afternoon at Goodison Park that signalled the end for David Moyes at Manchester United. And that was merely a routine 2-0 loss.
This was a humiliating 4-0 Premier League defeat at the start of a supposed new dawn. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has inherited, and is presiding over, a shambles.
United players require a reality check, their latest manager had declared last Friday. It landed heavily on them yesterday as Marco Silva's slick, expansive and clinical team recorded Everton's biggest win over United since October 1984.
The embarrassment for the Old Trafford club was not confined to the scoreline.
It was writ large in the apathetic displays of their over-paid players, in Anthony Martial diving for a non-existent penalty, in David de Gea throwing the ball at a dawdling Diogo Dalot and in the visitors starting with the same central defence as in Moyes' last stand in April 2014.
There they were, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones, the latter getting himself injured yet again to add to the sense of chaotic deja-vu.
At least he offered a semblance of commitment that was otherwise absent on an appalling afternoon for United. Champions League qualification is the least of their worries.
​48
League goals Manchester United have conceded this season, their most in a top-flight campaign since 1978-79 (63).
A sorry Solskjaer admitted to Sky Sports after the match that his team just did not perform.
"From the first whistle, everything went wrong. I just want to apologise to the fans. They're the only people with the badge on today who can hold their heads high, because we can't," said the Norwegian, whose team have now lost six of their past eight games and five straight away matches for the first time since 1981.
"Everton were better than us at all the basics. There are so many things that we need to do better to get a result.
"That was not worthy of a Manchester United team. We hold our hands up and apologise to everyone associated with the club. We have a perfect chance to make amends on Wednesday (against Manchester City)."
Everton were superb and battered the visitors not only physically but also in terms of quality, desire and work rate too.
United, fielding three changes to the side outclassed in Barcelona last week, were truly pathetic. A two-goal deficit at half-time flattered their spineless display.
Their refusal, reluctance or inability to press their opponents contributed to a comfortable first-half stroll for the hosts.
To put it into context, Solskjaer's men ran 8.03km less than Everton in total - the biggest negative difference for United in a Premier League game since defeat by Spurs in August (10.2km less).
Brazilian Richarlison fired the Toffees ahead as early as the 13th minute with an acrobatic high volley. Gylfi Sigurdsson made it 2-0 with a low drive that goalkeeper de Gea was slow to react to.
Lucas Digne then blasted in the third in the 56th minute after de Gea punched out a corner to the French full-back as United struggled to get even a foot in the game.
Icelandic playmaker Sigurdsson then put substitute Theo Walcott through with a clever pass through the legs of Victor Lindelof which the striker confidently converted.
Former United defender Gary Neville, now a Sky Sports pundit, blasted the team after the loss.
"I'm furious, the fact that he (Solskjaer) has to go over and apologise to the fans at the whistle is embarrassing," he said.
"There's some bad weeds not only in the garden but Japanese knotweed attacking the entire house and they need it eradicating.
"I have 100 per cent faith in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but he needs backing and this performance was rancid. I would imagine the more Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sees these players, he will be losing faith in them."
United remain in sixth on 64 points, two behind fifth-placed Chelsea as their top-four hopes suffered a huge blow.
Everton manager Silva said he was happy with a clean sheet and United could surely do with one in their next match.
But that seems improbable now as City, who seem unstoppable in their title run-in, will be visiting Old Trafford relishing a big win on Wednesday.
THE GUARDIAN, REUTERS
Football. Kane, Lloris rescue point for Spurs against Arsenal. Reuters. Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane (C) celebrates with Jan Vertonghen (L) and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris (R) after they block a
Kane and Lloris rescue point for Spurs against Arsenal
Messi notches 400 Laliga goals - straitstimes.com
Davinson Sanchez is confident Tottenham's squad is strong enough to mount a Premier League title challenge despite injuries to Harry Kane and Dele Alli. Three successive wins have lifted Spurs to within five points of leader Liverpool after 25 matches, putting it firmly in the title picture alongside Manchester City.
Sanchez: Spurs squad can cope in absence of Kane and Alli
A quiet first 60 minutes gave way to a big German goal vs. China in the two teams' opening match of the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup™. Giulia Gwinn gets Germany on the board vs. China | 2019
Giulia Gwinn gets Germany over against China at Women's World
Cardiff claim they are shocked by a report that the pilot in the plane crash that killed Emiliano Sala was not qualified to fly at night. The Premier League club said they remain "deeply concerned
Cardiff 'shocked' by Sala pilot report | theScore.com
The captains return to Dutch Harbor days before the opening of king crab season. As they prepare their boats and their crews to battle the Bering Sea, they must also face each other to settle unfinished business from the past season.
Captain's unfinished business, Football News & Top Stories
Gareth Bale '100 per cent' committed to Real Madrid despite speculation over his future, claims agent Description: Bale played the full 90 minutes when Real suffered a shock 1-0 defeat against lowly Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, but Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane later questioned whether he was fully focused.
Bale '100 percent' committed to Real, claims agent - Punch
Football: Son's late winner gives Tottenham edge over Man City in Champions League quarter-final first leg
Son's late winner gives Tottenham edge over Man City
Raheem Sterling was recognised for his fight against racism in the sport and for using his platform to call for more action to be taken. England's Sterling honoured with award for fighting
Sterling honoured with award for fighting racism - Reuters
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino fears Harry Kane could miss the rest of the season with an ankle injury sustained against Manchester City. The striker had to be helped down the tunnel by Spurs
Kane could be out for the season, says Pochettino - Soccer News
Manchester City remain a point behind Liverpool in the Premier League title race after a Sergio Aguero penalty secured them a 1-0 victory over West Ham at the Etihad Stadium. Pep Guardiola's side
Aguero penalty gives Man City 1-0 win over West Ham - The
We're not favourites against Germany: Van Dijk
LOS ANGELES - The NBA on Saturday fined Rockets guard James Harden $25,000 for public criticism of officials after the Rockets loss to the Lakers on Thursday.. The league did not specify which
Cleveland Cavaliers players allegedly 'confront each other
Emery wary of Valencia's recovery potential in 2nd leg Alexandre Lacazette watches as Valencia goalkeeper Neto is unable to prevent the striker's header from crossing the line to give Arsenal the
Emery wary of Valencia's recovery potential in 2nd leg
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar