Five games, five goals. Marcus Rashford has returned from the World Cup in rare form and if the man whose name was imprinted twice on this scoresheet was Conor Coady, who struck at either end, Everton were eliminated from the FA Cup by Rashford. He played a huge part in all three Manchester United’s goals and, composed as his 97th-minute penalty was as he extended his record of finding the net in every game since he came back from Qatar, his crossing proved more significant than his shooting. Two inviting low crosses that only required a touch: first Antony and then the luckless Coady obliged and United became the first side to enter the fourth-round draw.
In the process, they ensured Everton’s wait for major silverware, which dates back to their 1995 final win over United, will extend at least until 2024. Whether Frank Lampard is in charge to oversee their next FA Cup campaign, or indeed next week’s relegation six-pointer with Southampton, remains to be seen but this was the kind of spirited display to suggest he retains his players’ backing.
