Slovenian striker’s late impact seals 1-0 win at Hill Dickinson Stadium
Benjamin Sesko made a decisive impact off the bench as Manchester United secured a 1-0 victory over Everton to move into the Premier League’s top four.
The Slovenia international struck 13 minutes after his introduction to deliver a slender but crucial win at Hill Dickinson Stadium. The result lifted United three points clear of Chelsea and Liverpool in the race for Champions League qualification.
Michael Carrick’s side continued their strong run under his stewardship, extending his unbeaten record as manager to six matches, with five wins and one draw.
Sesko’s winner capped a superb counterattack. Everton had pushed forward when Matheus Cunha collected a headed clearance and released Bryan Mbeumo with a crossfield pass. Mbeumo outpaced Michael Keane and picked out Sesko, who finished first time beyond Jordan Pickford.
“It was a ruthless finish that sums up where Ben is at the moment,” Carrick said.
United’s victory was built not only on Sesko’s clinical touch but also on the performance of goalkeeper Senne Lammens. The Belgian dealt confidently with a series of late Everton corners aimed under his crossbar.
“Instead of creating chaos, you want your keeper to take the chaos away, and Senne does that,” Carrick said. “His calmness and composure helps those in front of him an awful lot.”
Everton manager David Moyes praised Lammens’ display. “We kept trying that [corner] routine thinking their goalie wouldn’t do as well as he did tonight, but he was bloody brilliant.”
The hosts started energetically. Thierno Barry charged down Lammens’ clearance from kick-off, though the rebound trickled wide. At the other end, Kobbie Mainoo squeezed a shot past Pickford, only for James Tarkowski to scramble clear near the goalline.
United’s front line of Amad Diallo, Mbeumo and Cunha showed fluidity in attack, but clear chances were limited in the first half. James Garner forced Lammens into action with a dipping free-kick in the 39th minute.
After the break, Harrison Armstrong had a good opportunity for Everton but shot too close to Lammens. Mbeumo then volleyed over from close range after Tarkowski sliced a cross into his path. The forward later absorbed a heavy challenge from Tarkowski, though no action was taken.
Everton pressed with greater intensity in the second half, with Iliman Ndiaye influential and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Idrissa Gueye both going close.
Carrick introduced Sesko just before the hour mark, and the £73.7m signing delivered the breakthrough. The 22-year-old now has six goals in his last seven appearances, having scored twice in his first 17 outings for the club.
Everton remain without a win in their last seven home games in all competitions and have suffered six league defeats at their new stadium this season.
For United, momentum continues to build as they strengthen their grip on a top-four position.