Benjamin Sesko scored off the bench again to save Manchester United from a drab stalemate at Everton, extending their unbeaten run to 10 games and moving Michael Carrick’s side back into fourth place.
The 22-year-old Slovenian striker finished off a slick counter in the second half to net his third goal off the bench, having done the same against Fulham and West Ham last time out, with no player scoring more as a substitute in the league this season.
Three of United’s summer signings were involved in the transition move that began with a superb ball out to Bryan Mbeumo from Matheus Cunha.
Their combination was a timely one for United, who had failed to inspire until that point, struggling to break down an Everton side that had failed to win in any of their last five at their new Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Up to that point, both sides lacked quality, but eyes were on United, who had an incentive after Chelsea had dropped points against Burnley on Saturday to see the race for the Champions League spots take another turn.
Everton, who had hoped to stop their home rot, responded well to going behind but were thwarted by a late Senne Lammens clinic, making four saves and four clearances.
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Benjamin Sesko hits Man Utd in front after brilliant counter
His outstretched arm to deny Michael Keane from long range was the pick of the bunch as Lammens ensured his side got over the line and earned United their first away league clean sheet since March 2025.
Lammens: If we defend well, we can win any game
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Man Utd’s Senne Lammens produces big stop to deny Michael Keane.
Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens, speaking to Sky Sports:
“It was more about the hard work and the defending togetherness.
“We weren’t at our best, I think we have to be better on the ball. But then you can see that if you work together defensively and if you don’t give goals away, our attacking players always give us a chance. One flash and you can score, and if you keep it zero you can win away in this hard game.
“Since the manager has come in we’ve been defending really well together. Actually, all season almost.
“We knew if the defence kept it to zero, we have that chance. It wasn’t the prettiest one, but sometimes when you work that hard for it, sometimes it’s the best ones.”
Carrick: Sesko will be big player for United
Man Utd head coach Michael Carrick on win over Everton:
“We had the first four games and the first four wins in a row, with some really good performances in there. I expected a period where we would have to find ourselves a little bit and get a result.
“We did it to a point at West Ham and we did it today. That spirit, sacrifice and willingness to work for each other as a team. The way we had to defend our box together at the end of the game. In the end, a clean sheet and massive win for us.
On playing after a 13-day break:
“It didn’t come easy for us tonight. I’ve never had an easy game against Everton. We expected a tough one.
“The lads have trained well and we came into this one feeling good about the game. It was one of those nights for us. We had to dig deep. It was a hit of a struggle at times but those are the best ones to win.”
On Benjamin Sesko:
“He’s in a good place at the moment. We’ve had some really good talks. Patience is one thing for him. Waiting and developing as a player here.
“He understands that. He’s going to be a big player for us for a long period of time, I’m sure of that.
“We’ve got to manage that. We’ve got some top forward players. He’s made a big difference for us when he is on the pitch.”
Moyes: We switched off and United punished us
Everton boss David Moyes, speaking to Sky Sports on 1-0 defeat:
“I’m not happy with the scoreline. We have to win games if we’re going to move on. We’ve not been doing that quite as much as we’d like to, especially at home.
“But, performance-wise, we have lost narrowly to Manchester United. We narrowly beat them at Old Trafford earlier in the season. We were the ones celebrating then; now it’s them.
“I generally think we did reall well in lots of bits. We got done on the counter-attack, but I thought we put in great effort to try and get the goal but lacked the quality to get it.”
On United’s goal:
“I’ve had a look at it. We had a midfielder crossing the ball into the box. We had a left-back in there. We just weren’t organised off the ball.
“I have to praise them for their quick attack, but we’ve seen them do it recently. They’ve been doing it really well. They’ve got forward players who have that ability to run away fast and make chances.
“Most of the game we controlled it pretty well but in that moment we switched off and gave them that opportunity.”
