Benjamin Sesko came off the bench to score a late winner as Manchester United beat Everton 1-0 at Hill Dickinson Stadium, moving into fourth place in the Premier League. The Slovenia striker's clinical finish secured a third consecutive league victory for interim manager Michael Carrick, who has now won five and drawn one of his six matches in charge.
The victory was built on a solid defensive display, with goalkeeper Senne Lammens outstanding in dealing with a barrage of Everton corners in the closing stages. Carrick praised his keeper's composure, saying: 'Instead of creating chaos you want your keeper to take the chaos away and Senne does that.' Everton manager David Moyes was equally impressed, describing Lammens as 'bloody brilliant'.
United took the lead in the 72nd minute through a swift counterattack. Matheus Cunha collected the ball deep in his own half and released Sesko, who finished coolly past Jordan Pickford. The £73.7m summer signing now has six goals in his last seven appearances for the club, having scored only twice in his first 17 outings.
Everton had chances to take the lead themselves, with Harrison Armstrong forcing a save from Lammens early in the second half and both Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Idrissa Gueye going close. However, the hosts remain without a win in seven home games and have now lost six league matches at their new stadium this season.
The result leaves United three points clear of Chelsea and Liverpool in the race for Champions League qualification, while Everton's hopes of European football continue to fade.
