Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 700th club goal as Manchester United came from behind at Goodison Park to end Everton’s two-game winning run.
It has been a frustrating season so far for Ronaldo, who has been reduced to the role of substitute after failing to get his hoped-for summer move away from Old Trafford.
But introduced as a first-half substitute after Anthony Martial suffered another injury just three games into his comeback from the last one, Ronaldo raced on to Casemiro’s through ball and beat Jordan Pickford with a low drive to the England man’s near-post.
It was the 37-year-old’s first goal on this ground since 2005 and was enough for United, who kept Everton at arm’s length after Alex Iwobi capitalised on Casemiro’s early mistake to put the hosts in front.
Antony became the first United player to score in his first three Premier League games when he levelled after being sent through by Martial.
United boss Erik ten Hag said: “We wanted a reaction [from the Man City defeat]. We got it already in Cyprus and we had to finish this week good and we did. We develop as a team. We have steps to go. There’s room for improvement but the first half was quite good. We controlled the game in and out of possession.
“I’m really happy. A long time since Man Utd came back from a setback with a goal to win the game. That’s good for belief in this team that they can do it.
“Twice In three days we have to stay composed and stick to the plan and see what can happen. An unlucky situation can change a game but it can’t change the plan. You still have to come back. That’s what happened today and on Thursday.
“You never get everything [right in a game]. Footall is a game for mistakes. We had really good situations in the game. You could see the principles of how we want to play. We made a good goal out of transition twice.
“I was also happy with the subs coming and making an impact.”
