Manchester United bounced back to winning ways and into second place on the table as they cruised to a 2-0 win over Everton at Goodison Park on Monday.
After a scrappy first half, the game kicked into life post the break as Manchester United took charge of the proceedings. The breakthrough finally came just before the hour mark as Anthony Martial produced a fine finish from the edge of the box.
Everton did have about 10 minutes when they looked like they might score, but all the comeback hopes were dashed in the 81st minute, when Jesse Lingard scored a sublime long-range goal. And the English midfielder was hailed for his performance as he continued his fine run of form.
Lingard’s goal was quality, but his off the ball run that gave Pogba the room to create Martial’s goal was movement of the highest order. Selflessly brilliant.
— RG (@registability) January 1, 2018
José Mourinho has done wonders with Jesse Lingard. Finally looks like he has matured into a reliable player and is in spectacular form. Mourinho deserves credit.
— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) January 1, 2018
Jesse Lingard has more Premier League goals this season than Kevin De Bruyne, Son Heung-Min, Leroy Sané, Christian Eriksen, Eden Hazard, Sadio Mané, Dele Alli.
All of those players have played more minutes than him, yet scored less.
— Adam Joseph (@AdamJosephSport) January 1, 2018
Celebration of the season. Lingard shutting up the haters. ? pic.twitter.com/bJRxRpksOU
— SirAlexWay (@SirAlexWay) January 1, 2018
Fact: Jesse Lingard in the Premier League this season:
Goals 7
Assists 4pic.twitter.com/PvE6B46kdT— Man Utd Stuff (@ManUtdStuff) January 1, 2018
If a year ago, you’d have told me that Lingard would be one of the first names on the #MUFC team sheet, I’d have been astonished. Every game highlights that he should be labelled as more than a pure “squad player.” Fair play, Jesse. You’ve proven a lot of Red wrong. Shows bottle
— Jonathan Shrager (@JonathanShrager) January 1, 2018
Anthony Martial had words of praise coming his way as well, after a superb performance and an exceptional goal.
Martial’s averaged a goal every 56 minutes this year. Unstoppable.
— Sam Homewood (@SamHomewood) January 1, 2018
Manchester United’s most clinical finisher has to be Anthony Martial. So calm, composed and collected in front of goal. Ruthless.
— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) January 1, 2018
What a celebration by Anthony Martial. ?pic.twitter.com/Le2REQ5qkN
— Devils of United (@DevilsOfUnited) January 1, 2018
But, the match belonged to Paul Pogba, who slowly got into the groove and ran the show for the visitors from midfield.
£90m overrated flop Paul Pogba in the PL:
Games – 12
Assists – 7World Class best midfield player in the world Kevin de Bruyne in the PL:
Games – 21
Assists – 9#mufc pic.twitter.com/lUbX5RiAOZ— United Xtra (@utdxtra) January 1, 2018
Paul Pogba has run the show for Manchester United in this second half, and huge credit to Juan Mata too. Anthony Martial & Jesse Lingard with the finishes, but it’s the Frenchman who picked United up more than any other. Two assists for the Captain.
— Adam Joseph (@AdamJosephSport) January 1, 2018
Paul Pogba has registered an assist on average every 149 minutes in the Premier League this season, the best record of any player who has more than 1 assist this season. pic.twitter.com/WOSYIAAffS
— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) January 1, 2018
United haven’t lost a single Premier League game with Paul Pogba starting since October 2016 vs Chelsea. That’s a total of 34 games. In that period, United have lost 5 games without Pogba. ? #mufc [opta] pic.twitter.com/hEHkSdpdEh
— United Xtra (@utdxtra) January 1, 2018
A midfield 3 with Paul Pogba on the left brings the best out of him. Two assists for two wondeful goals from Lingard and Martial. A much needed 3 points to start 2018. Happy new year lads!
— SCHOLES (@iamscholes) January 1, 2018
Pogba is starting to boss games ? pic.twitter.com/lnWAC1K73c
— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 2, 2018
Paul Pogba is one of those footballers who’ll make you get off your seat every game with a moment of magic. He can make you fall in love with football and does it with flamboyance. Great to have him at United – just need him to be fit and suspension free. pic.twitter.com/WMzUIfMONK
— ARYAN (@theunitedmanc) January 2, 2018
Paul Pogba has been superb and dominated the game. Jesse Lingard has improved a lot and he has been a key player for Manchester United. Credit to Luke Shaw as well, who has been good for #MUFC
— Naveen Ullal (@UllalIBT) January 1, 2018
It is now 435 days since Paul Pogba was on the losing side in a Premier League game (23/10/16 v Chelsea)
34 games (W21 D13 L0), while United have lost five games without him in this period #MUFC
Marvel. pic.twitter.com/BJnr8bVDVh
— Around The Grounds (@ArndTheGrnds) January 1, 2018
Paul Pogba stepped up today when we needed him the most. #mufc pic.twitter.com/huJYNxHJT5
— United Xtra (@utdxtra) January 1, 2018