Everton Vs Man United: Sesko Counter and Lammens Saves Cement Crucial 1-0 Win
Manchester United claimed a hard-fought 1-0 victory at Everton that combined Benjamin Sesko's late counterattack finish with a series of decisive interventions from goalkeeper Senne Lammens. That everton vs man united result strengthened United's bid to return to the Champions League and left both teams with clear takeaways.
Everton Vs Man United: Sesko's 71st-minute winner
Sesko, introduced from the bench, finished a quick-hitting counter in the 71st minute to break a goalless stalemate and secure all three points for United. The move involved a rapid transition, with a pass picked out by Bryan Mbeumo before Sesko steadied himself and slotted home. The finish capped a sequence in which he covered large ground at top speed, having earlier been involved in play with Matheus Cunha.
That intervention continued a recent surge: Sesko has scored six times in his last seven appearances and has taken his season tally to eight goals. He had earlier produced a stoppage-time volley to earn a point at West Ham on 10 February, and his super-sub impact included three goals in two matches while Darren Fletcher held interim charge after Ruben Amorim's dismissal at the start of January. Club staff and fans have debated his absence from the starting XI during the six games Michael Carrick has managed, but Carrick stresses a long-term plan of building and patience for the 22-year-old.
Senne Lammens' command at Hill Dickinson Stadium
Senne Lammens delivered what Michael Carrick described as a calming, reliable presence, keeping Manchester United's first away clean sheet since last March. Lammens stopped shots, claimed or punched corners and dealt with set-piece pressure that Everton attempted by stationing extra players close to him in the second half. The goalkeeper’s save from Michael Keane drew particular praise from Everton boss David Moyes, who called him "bloody brilliant" and judged Lammens the best player on the pitch.
Carrick said that a goalkeeper should remove chaos rather than create it, and Lammens' performance illustrated that point: his composure under sustained pressure preserved the clean sheet and allowed United to hold their lead.
Carrick on team spirit, patience and management
Michael Carrick described the match as a tough, physical and at times gritty contest, saying United had to show different sides of their game after a run of earlier wins. He pointed to spirit, sacrifice and defending the box late in the match as decisive factors in earning the clean sheet and three points. Carrick noted the squad had trained well during the 13 days since their previous match and praised the balance among forward players while emphasizing patient development for younger members such as Sesko.
Since replacing Ruben Amorim, Carrick remains unbeaten in his spell in charge. He underlined the importance of both the goal and the defensive work, calling the finish "confident" and the clean sheet "fantastic. " He also emphasized constructive conversations with Sesko, insisting there is no fracture between coach and player despite external debate about starting positions.
Sesko's transfer background and playing-time dynamics
Sesko joined the club from RB Leipzig and has attracted attention for both his fee and form. The context includes two different reported fees in the record: one reference places the transfer at £73. 7m in August 2025, while another notes him as a £66 million ($89 million) summer signing. He scored only twice under Ruben Amorim but has since accelerated his output, notably during a period when Darren Fletcher acted as interim manager following Amorim's dismissal at the start of January. Carrick acknowledged there may be frustration for the 22-year-old when he is not in the starting XI, but stressed Sesko's professionalism and the club's role in managing his development.
Fourth place, Aston Villa gap and Crystal Palace at Old Trafford
The result moved Manchester United into fourth place in the Premier League, sitting three points behind Aston Villa and three points clear of Chelsea and Liverpool. That positioning strengthens United's prospects of returning to the Champions League after a two-year absence, a goal Carrick says the team is focused on consolidating. The next fixture for Carrick's side is at Old Trafford against Crystal Palace on March 1.
For Everton, home form remains a concern: they have won just four of 14 Premier League matches at their new stadium, and Moyes acknowledged his side are still adapting to the venue. The timing matters because United's win not only provided vital points but also highlighted how moments of individual quality—Sesko's counter finish and Lammens' control of chaos—can decide a tightly contested match.
Jamie Carragher, watching the game, singled out Sesko's combination of endurance and composure, noting the striker's ability to finish after an intense run. That combination of finishing and goalkeeping resilience left Manchester United in a stronger position in the table and offered clear positives for Carrick to build on.
