Despite a spirited performance, Everton were beaten by Manchester United in their FA Cup clash.
The Blues were handed a 3-1 defeat in their third round tie at Old Trafford on Friday night. Despite a first-half goal from Conor Coady, Frank Lampard’s side could not avoid exiting the prestigious cup competition.
Goals from Antony and Marcus Rashford, as well as an own goal from Coady, sealed their fate. Everton will now prepare for a Premier League clash against Southampton next Saturday.
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Plenty of national media outlets were in attendance to watch Everton’s defeat. Here is a round-up of what they had to say.
Henry Winter, via The Times
“From World Cup to FA Cup, Marcus Rashford’s outstanding form continues, and he helped guide Manchester United past Everton in an exciting FA Cup third-round tie at Old Trafford. He set up their first two then converted the coolest of late penalties.
“United progress in the competition but the defeated Everton surely felt some progress from this performance. Their manager, Frank Lampard, wearing a black armband in tribute to his friend Gianluca Vialli, who died on Friday from cancer, showed why the club are sticking with him (certainly for now) by setting up his team with attacking intent.
“Everton played with commitment, togetherness and will curse their cruel luck: Conor Coady conceded an own goal and Alex Iwobi was carried away on a stretcher after rolling his ankle.
“Everton fans had turned up in force, loudly defiant about their predicament, taking their full 9,500 allocation, all standing, all singing in support of their team. They voiced their criticism of the troubles at Goodison, chanting “sack the board” and waving a blue flag bearing similar sentiments. They must have feared imminent ignominy when United stormed into them, taking the lead after only three minutes. They must have known that the in-form Rashford would be their tormentor.”
Chris Wheeler via the Mail Online
“For Erik ten Hag, this was another sign that Manchester United may be at the start of something special. For poor Frank Lampard, on the other hand, was this the end for him at Everton?
“In fairness to Lampard, this is not a group of players who have downed tools. They fought for their club and their manager at Old Trafford last night. Ben Godfrey led the defensive effort and Demarai Gray was outstanding in attack.
“Everton recovered from conceding Antony’s early goal to level through Conor Coady who was then unfortunate to concede an own-goal early in the second half. They had Alex Iwobi carried off and what would have been a late equaliser by substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin ruled out for a tight offside.
“By the time Marcus Rashford converted a penalty with just about the last kick of the game, Everton were going out of the FA Cup and Lampard may soon be out of a job.”
Jamie Jackson, via The Guardian
“Marcus Rashford will surely make all player of the year shortlists if he continues to put in performances like this. The No 10 was the creative force behind Antony’s opener and Conor Coady’s own goal before scoring an added-time penalty that came after Alejandro Garnacho was yanked down and which ensured Manchester United are into the next round of the FA Cup.
“Erik ten Hag, though, may curse how reckless his side were when exerting control was the smart move. They dominated but failed to stiff-arm Everton, ceding the ball countless times and allowing them to make this tie a contest.
“Frank Lampard arrived in need of a win to try to save his job but left without this and his future still hanging by a thread. Everton next host Southampton on Saturday week: eight days in which the 44-year-old could be axed at any moment. United, of course, do not care about this after chalking up a 10th win in 11 outings: fine form by any measure, though Ten Hag will demand greater poise and ruthlessness."
Luke Edwards, via The Telegraph
“In the not so distant past, any suggestion of a comparison between Marcus Rashford and the world’s best forward Kylian Mbappe would have been greeted with a snort of derision. Not anymore.
“With Frank Lampard’s Everton future in continued doubt after this spirited defeat, it was Rashford who sliced his side apart. The way he glided over the turf, the speed with which he attacked his marker, the ease with which he beat his opponents, the constant threat he posed, inside and outside of the area, it was a performance the French superstar would have been proud of.
“Rashford is no longer being left behind. The 25-year-old no longer looks like another exciting English player who lost their way, over hyped and over paid. Erik ten Hag has helped him smile again, rebuilt his confidence and restored his sense of purpose in a team that is finally starting to look like a Manchester United one should
“With each win - this was their seventh on the spin - United regain some swagger. In every single one, Rashford has sparkled. This is as good as he has ever looked - something he acknowledged in his post-match interview.”
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