Erik Ten Hag insists Alejandro Garnacho’s exquisite overhead kick will likely end up as the goal of the season in the Premier League after the Argentine’s magic set Manchester United on the way to their best win of the season.
Garnacho’s acrobatic strike after three minutes acted as a perfect way for Manchester United to settle into the bear-pit of noise at Goodison Park, before Marcus Rashford, from the penalty spot, and Anthony Martial added goals in the second half.
And Ten Hag said: ‘It was a fantastic goal. This season, there are many games to play, but probably already that is the goal of the season. Not only the finish, the total move from the back to the end. My players were very confident, very composed. Well done to the team.
‘Then we went passive. Too easy going, too comfortable. Everton created some chances. But in the second half, we were proactive. It was a very good performance and we scored two very good goals.’
Ten Hag gave a first Premier League start to 18-year-old midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, who had a good game and was singled out for praise afterwards. ‘He has a lot of ability,’ said Ten Hag on the Englishman.
Alejandro Garnacho scored a stunning overhead kick in the first three minutes of the match
Garnacho’s sensational goal silenced the home fans inside Goodison Park, who had been protesting their club’s points deduction from the Premier League
It came after the the Toffees had dropped to 19th in the league table with the Premier League docking them 10 points due to breaches of profit and sustainability rules
‘It was a really disappointing moment in pre-season when he got so badly injured. I know he can progress a lot if he plays many games such as today. We thought this was the moment to bring him in. We prepared him properly and he did a great job.’
The United boss was also pleased with his team’s reaction to the raucous atmosphere and added: ‘It’s normal when you go to Everton. What this club has to overcome is set. You know they are angry and highly motivated and has a lot of fuel. We like such challenges.’
Everton boss Sean Dyche said his team played well but again were let down by a lack of clinicality in front of goal. ‘It’s a tough one to call because for a large part of the game we were very good, particularly the first half,’ he said.
‘They get off to a worldie, once in a lifetime goal. Then we pressed better, broke their game up, created chances but we couldn’t score a goal – that inevitably costs you. We’ve been speaking for a long period now about the mentality. If a goal goes in it’s how you respond to it.
‘We regrouped and got on the front foot, played some really good stuff. High chance count yet again but didn’t score a goal. We all know the recent news. It’s currently a fact until the appeal. The fans were terrific and that connection will be really important going forwards.’
Everton had several chances during the game, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin coming close
Erik ten Hag was not present in the dugout on Sunday evening as he serves a touchline ban after having received three yellow cards this season
Ahead of the match, Everton fans lined the streets outside the stadium to protest their points deduction
Anthony Martial scored United’s third goal, sealing the victory and their second straight league win
Dyche added on Rashford’s penalty, which was given by VAR after a lengthy review: ‘The way this VAR is. It’s just all over the place. There’s so many contacts in a box now. The way I look at it, there’s a covering defender, he’s never gonna get it. The screen thing is a farce.
‘Everyone’s talking about speeding the game up, we all know what the outcome is (when the referee goes over to the VAR monitor). Just call it, get on with the decision and we all move on. The referee walks over, stands there for a minute then gives whatever he’s been told!’