Manchester United further cemented themselves in the top four with a 2-0 victory over Everton at Old Trafford.
Erik ten Hag’s side have not been beaten on home soil since September and that record never looked in serious trouble, Scott McTominay providing a deserved opener before the break after the hosts had missed a number of chances.
Everton pushed for an equaliser and had some decent moments, but their race was run once Anthony Martial came off the bench and doubled the advantage with his first Premier League goal since December. There was concern though when Marcus Rashford was forced off with what appeared to be a potential groin injury, one that will worry Ten Hag ahead of a crucial fun of fixtures.
The win moved United up to third in the table before Newcastle’s match with Brentford later in the day, and six points clear of Tottenham in fifth.
Harry Maguire was handed a rare start for United, while Christian Eriksen was back in the squad for the first time since January as he returned from an ankle injury.
He would have been wishing he was on the pitch from the off, as he watched an opening 45 minutes full of chances. Rashford was twice denied by Jordan Pickford when clean through on goal, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka somehow turned wide when faced with an empty goal after Antony struck the post.
Everton had opportunities too, the biggest falling to Ellis Simms. Seamus Coleman picked the striker out in the box, he was completely free but badly scuffed his effort and it dribbled wide of the far post.
Pickford continued to keep United at bay, with his defence caught out time and time again by balls over the top. Antony twice failed to deliver when played in, but the inevitable goal eventually came. Jadon Sancho slid a pass through to McTominay, and he fired past the Everton goalkeeper at the near post.
It was a more low-key second-half, with Everton enjoying better spells and still very much in the match while the deficit was just one. James Tarkowski nodded wide from a set-piece, while Alex Iwobi and James Garner both had efforts well-blocked.
But the task was made an almost impossible one when the lead was doubled, and the Toffees only had themselves to blame. Coleman let the ball skid under his boot, allowing Rashford in on goal and he squared it to leave Martial with a simple finish.
The return of Eriksen brought another huge cheer from the stands, though the mood was dampened somewhat late on as Rashford immediately signalled to the bench after stretching for the ball, seemingly holding his groin as he was replaced straight away and trudged down the tunnel.
