Everton Vs Man United: Sesko and Lammens give United real hope of Champions League return
In the everton vs man united fixture at Hill Dickinson Stadium, Benjamin Sesko came off the bench to score in the 71st minute and Manchester United secured a 1-0 victory that strengthened their bid to return to the Champions League after a two-year absence.
Everton Vs Man United — Sesko's 71st-minute run and finish
Sesko's goal arrived in the 71st minute, a move described by Michael Carrick as the product of a brilliant transition. Carrick called it a "fabulous goal" and praised Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo for the build-up; Cunha helped start the quick break, Mbeumo delivered the square pass, and Sesko steadied himself before slotting home. The Manchester United manager also said that the clean sheet was as important as the goal.
Sesko's surge: stats, history and a small discrepancy on the run
Sesko, 22, has now taken his season tally to eight goals, and he has scored six in his latest seven appearances for United after managing only two in his first 17 outings. The account noted he ran 70 yards at top speed during the move before finishing, while former defender Jamie Carragher said he ran "over 80 yards"; those two figures differ in the provided context. Sesko’s recent form has followed a period when he scored three in two matches while Darren Fletcher was interim manager after Ruben Amorim’s dismissal at the start of January. Amorim had signed him from RB Leipzig for £73. 7m in August 2025, when Sesko scored just twice under that manager.
Lammens commands his area and soaks up pressure
Belgium goalkeeper Senne Lammens produced a series of interventions to preserve the 1-0 scoreline, notably dealing with a procession of Everton corners aimed under his crossbar in the closing stages. Carrick said the keeper's calmness "takes the chaos away, " and Everton manager David Moyes described Lammens as "bloody brilliant" for the way he handled the corner routine. Lammens also turned away a dipping 30-yard free-kick from James Garner in the 39th minute and was relieved early on when a Thierno Barry charge down of his clearance from kick-off only produced a goal-kick after the rebound trickled out.
How the game unfolded at Hill Dickinson Stadium
The match opened at pace. Kobbie Mainoo forced an early scramble when he squeezed a shot past Jordan Pickford from United’s first attack, only for James Tarkowski to clear on the line. United’s fluid front three of Amad Diallo, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha repeatedly tested Everton’s concentration. Harrison Armstrong had a chance early in the second half but his shot sat up too comfortably for Lammens, and moments later Mbeumo volleyed high after a cross from Mainoo that Tarkowski sliced skywards.
Carrick’s assessment and the bigger picture for United
Carrick described the win as "a great win" and said his side had to "dig deep" at a place he called a tough venue. He noted that the side had won their first four games in a run earlier in the season and that their last match had been 13 days before this trip to Everton. Carrick said patience and careful management were helping Sesko grow as a player and that the striker is "in a good place" and likely to be a big player for the club for a long period.
Where this leaves the table and next steps
The victory put United in fourth spot, three points behind Aston Villa and three points clear of Chelsea and Liverpool, and it followed Sesko’s stoppage-time volley that rescued a point at West Ham on 10 February. Carrick has now taken charge for six games, with five wins and one draw, preserving his unbeaten record as manager since that West Ham result. The club must now move on to their next scheduled fixture, with recovery and preparation for the rest of the run-in confirmed as the immediate priorities by Carrick after the final whistle.
