Verdict: Sesko Strikes and Lammens Flies at Everton’s New Home
So, we travelled to Everton. Not to Goodison Park, but to their new stadium. I have to say, for a place people called soulless, it didn’t feel like that at all. It was actually very loud.
We had to make one change to the team because Martinez is out injured for two weeks. I honestly predicted Martinez and Yoro would be the pair at the back. Instead, we got Maguire and Yoro. It was an interesting dynamic to watch. You have Maguire who is slow, and Yoro who is fast but less physical.
A Shaky Start and Missed Chances
The game started with a heart attack moment. Straight from kick-off, there was a back pass to Lammens. He tried to kick it long, but it got blocked by Barry. That was so risky. It could have gone straight into our goal, but luckily it went near the corner flag for a goal kick.
Then, at the third minute, we nearly scored twice. It was chaos. Bruno put a wide cross to Mbeumo, who squared it inside the D. Dalot missed the chance to shoot there. Then Cunha had a shot blocked. Finally, Amad’s shot got saved by Pickford and blocked or cleared by Tarkowski. It was frantic.
Everton were pressing really strongly whenever Lammens had the ball. In games like this, it is so important to score first.
Possession Without Punch
By 15 minutes, United had 67% possession and 3 attempts. But again, we need to make real chances with that much possession. We were playing nice stuff, but we needed output.
Then, around the 26th minute, Everton started to see more of the ball. I have to talk about Ndiaye. He was just running with the ball and dribbling past United players with ease. He is such a good player on the eye. United should really consider buying him.
One thing I noticed a lot in this game, which we missed in previous years, is the work ethic. When we lose the ball, you see Cunha and Mbeumo running back. Even Amad runs back to win the ball. That ethic is so important to have. You just love to see it.
The Second Half Shift
The first half ended 0-0. It wasn’t a bore fest, but both teams failed to score. Dalot had a good game, but apart from him, no one really stood out. We had a lot to do in the second half. The intensity felt off. Our passes were sharp and crispy, but the intensity was just not high enough for a team that had a week off.
In the 55th minute, Sesko came on for Amad. The game was feeling quite bland. Then, ten minutes later, Cunha went on a run. He carried the ball from the half to their box. It would have been a 2v1 with Sesko against one Everton defender, but he slipped. We couldn’t do much there.
I was looking at the bench and thinking our attacking depth feels very bleak with just Zirkzee left. I wondered if we should go 4-4-2. But then, the moment arrived.
Sesko Delivers Again
Cunha played a pure, long diagonal cross to Mbeumo, who was running fast. It was a counter. Sesko started his motor. Mbeumo put a simple, clean pass to Sesko, who finished it perfectly.
That is 7 league goals for Sesko with limited minutes. This is a key detail. Other strikers like Ekitike, Joao Pedro, or Gyokeres have been playing minutes across all competitions. Because United got knocked out fast from the cups, Sesko hasn’t had many minutes to warm up and gel. But even with limited time, he has scored a fair share of goals.
Lammens the Hero
I have to talk about the goalkeeper. In the 81st minute, Lammens made a superman save. What a save. What a game Lammens had. He is the man of the match for me. He made so many high claims and punches. He was so consistent and solid throughout the game. It is so important to have someone stable and consistent at our end of the pitch.
Honestly, if it was Onana in goal, we would be down by a minimum of 3 goals.
By 90+ additional time, Sesko got another chance which he sort of missed. But we can’t ask for more. He did his job. Carrick has now had 6 games in charge with 5 wins and 1 draw. We weren’t that great tonight, but we did the job. That is what matters.
Till next time YANITED YANITED YANITED.
UNITED SCRIPTED. 
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