Premier League 2
Everton vs. Manchester United
Venue: Merseyrail Community Stadium
Date: Monday, 26 September 2016
Kick-off: 19:00 BST
Manchester United continued their away day woes at Reserve team level, losing 2-0 at Everton.
An early goal from Dominic Calvert-Lewin set the tone for a difficult night in store for united, as their winless travels this season go on.
Exiled first team striker Oumar Niasse netted a header after the break, with the visitors unable to trouble a well-organised backline.
Right-back Gethin Jones had some joy on the night, and his cross forced Sam Johnstone to tip the ball over, before United’s keeper saved from Callum Connolly’s weaker foot effort.
It was Regan Poole’s under-hit back-pass that allowed the onrushing Calvert-Lewin to slot away a first time finish and give the Toffees the lead.
As Sadiq El Fitouri saw yellow, Kieran Dowell’s resulting free-kick struck the wall, as half-time arrived on a rain-drenched evening in Southport.
The three D’s in Blue, Dowell, Dyson and Davies all saw shots either saved or blocked after the break, before the lead was doubled moments later.
Unaware of the short corner, Dyson’s cross was met by the head of Niasse to bag the simplest of goals for the veteran of this level at 26 years of age.
In a rare visiting attack, Charlie Scott’s low cross found Josh Harrop, but Jonjoe Kenny put in a good block to deny the number 10.
Jones saw a shot held, but the game petered out as the minutes ticked down.
There was time for Mateusz Hewelt to deny substitute Demetri Mitchell from close range late on, as full-time arrived.
United never looked like scoring without an orthodox number nine in the ranks, with Everton seeing the match out in a professional manner.
Despite an impressive home record over the past 18 months, United’s struggles on the road could see them come unstuck as the season wears on.
Nonetheless, they came up against a strong Everton side that have started the season well, as Warren Joyce’s side have a three week gap to regroup ahead of the next fixture.
Said fixture sees them face Everton’s Merseyside rivals Liverpool at home, on Tuesday 18 October, the day after the first team’s contest proceedings at Anfield.
Line-ups:
Manchester United: Johnstone; Williams (Olosunde 64), Tuanzebe, Poole, Riley; Scott (Mitchell 61), Redmond; El Fitouri, Harrop, Hamilton (Kehinde 73); Willock.
Subs not used: Moutha-Sebtaoui, O’Connor.
Manager: Warren Joyce
Everton: Hewelt; Jones, Holgate, Kenny, Connolly; Davies, Walsh; Dowell, Calvert-Lewin (Duffus 74), Dyson (Charsley 60); Niasse (Williams 60).
Subs not used: Gray, Henen.
Manager: David Unsworth
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