Better than Ronaldo and Rooney – Alejandro Garnacho’s overhead kick sinks Everton

It was up there with Gareth Bale against Liverpool in the 2018 Champions League final. It was better than Cristiano Ronaldo – his idol – also for Real Madrid against Juventus, and it was even superior to Wayne Rooney’s arresting strike in the Manchester derby 12 years ago.

The stunning overhead kick executed by Alejandro Garnacho, precisely 136 seconds into this victory over Everton, was a stop-the-clocks moment. It was a finish to already end the goal of the season contest – with Erik ten Hag readily agreeing with that. Crucially it was a goal that quietened the din at a mutinous Goodison Park and it earned Manchester United an unexpected three points.

It was the 10 points that Everton were docked by the independent Premier League commission which had dominated the build-up, fuelled the sense of injustice and led to the expectation that the occasion would simply prove too much for a United side as apparently fragile as this.

Instead they won and eventually won well. And what a goal it was that set them off. “A goal like this has to silence the crowd,” said United captain Bruno Fernandes and it did just that. The air was simply taken out of Everton and they never quite recovered. “A worldie,” Sean Dyche said. “A lifetime goal.”

Sir Alex Ferguson had described Rooney’s bicycle kick against City in 2011 as the best goal he had seen at Old Trafford but Garnacho’s was better. For sure he was under less pressure from defenders than Rooney, who was sandwiched between Vincent Kompany and Micah Richards, and maybe it did not mean as much. But in terms of technique, the Argentine was further out, he was running away from goal and he executed a sweeter connection. Another factor to consider was the high quality of the build-up that led to Diogo Dalot’s precise cross.

“Don’t compare,” Ten Hag naturally cautioned. “It’s not right. They all have their own identity… but he definitely has high potential to do amazing things. If you want to be a player like Rooney or Ronaldo you have to score 25 goals in the Premier League and go into areas where it hurts. But potential he has.”

As Garnacho wheeled away in celebration he performed the Ronaldo ‘Siu’ celebration and the 19-year-old winger, along with 18-year-old midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, was the star of the show for United with Marcus Rashford scoring from a penalty and Anthony Martial adding a third to compound Everton’s pain. It meant that having scored only one goal from a forward all season in the league, all three of their starts across the front-line did so.

Garnacho will claim the headlines. He will spark the debate. He will earn the replays. But Mainoo was outstanding and composed on his first Premier League start and actually exerted a greater overall influence. Like Garnacho he is an academy product, although one closer to home, from Stockport, and he caught the eye in pre-season but then suffered an injury set-back. This was some involvement and not least because of the circumstances.

“For me, man of the match,” Ten Hag said and credit to him, in the stands as he served a touchline ban, for putting the teenager in here at the start of what will be a crucial week for the club.

United fly to Istanbul ahead of their must-win Champions League tie against Galatasaray on Wednesday before facing Newcastle United away on Saturday while Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s investment, and control of football matters, should finally be ratified and announced in the coming days.

It made this result even more important and, remarkably, United are the form team, in terms of results, and are now just six points off the top of the table and have won as many league games as Liverpool. Find some logic in that.

Maybe with Ratcliffe and with youngsters like Garnacho and Mainoo there is a brighter future also? Even so the travelling fans still sang their disapproval of the Glazers. It still feels a long way back.

Everton failed to take chance after chance

As with their Premier League punishment, Everton will feel hard done by. After Garnacho’s goal the opportunities fell to them. By half-time they should have been ahead. Maybe even comfortably ahead. They failed to take chance after chance – four in four minutes in one frantic spell – with some poor misses from Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Idrissa Gana Gueye, a fine save by Andre Onana and a goal-line clearance from Mainoo.

There was, dare it be said, a further sense of injustice with a penalty award to Martial following a Var intervention when he was caught by Ashley Young. Initially Martial was cautioned for a dive by referee John Brooks but that was over-turned although the argument continued over whether the United forward had initiated the contact.

Dyche did not hold back in his criticism. with Fernandes allowing Rashford the spot-kick. “Because Marcus needed a bit of confidence, he needed his goal,” Fernandes said. But what would have been Ten Hag’s reaction had he missed? As Rashford scored he hailed Fernandes’ “great captaincy”.

United went further ahead through a smart team move with Fernandes threading a pass through to Martial who smartly dinked the ball beyond Pickford. It was over. Vitalii Mykolenko struck the cross-bar but there was no way back for Everton, in this game at least, and long before the end their fans had streamed away.

Garnacho’s goal will only compound their feeling that their luck is out. For now at least.

Whose was best: Garnacho’s, Rooney’s, Ronaldo’s or Bale’s? Watch and vote...

Man Utd win at Everton: As it happened...

07:36 PM GMT

Congratulations to Man United

Bit harsh on Everton but just a wonderful goal from young Garnacho - we’ve got loads of reaction to that above. Thanks for following with us.

07:19 PM GMT

Roy Keane on Mainoo

“Looked a Man United type of player, brave, played with courage. They must think highly of him, the club. I hope he stays fit and gets a run of games.”

07:14 PM GMT

More from ETH

“We need to take this confidence into our next game. You need a confidence for a successful season. One step at a time.”

07:07 PM GMT

Ten Hag to Sky

“Probably goal of the season. Also the build-up, not just the finish, was very good. The finish is fantastic.

“After the start of the game we were too easy-going. I criticised the team at half-time. They thought they were already there. You can’t do that. You have to do 100 minutes on the pitch. Second half we did very well.

“Our three offensive players scored. That’s what we need. It will help us as a team.”

[Rashford needed his goal?] “A lot. You see also how great captain Bruno is. He assessed his team-mate needed that goal. He has the confidence in Rashy, who is a good penalty taker. As a team you need that leadership that you back each other.

“We have to go step by step. This is one step.”

07:02 PM GMT

James Tarkowski

“Positives to take. Especially first half. Dominated, pressed well, took the ball off them. Just couldn’t put one away.”

Penalty?

“Feels like here we go again, things are against us.”

06:54 PM GMT

Analysis

06:53 PM GMT

Sean Dyche quotes

“People saying United not playing well but they are top of the form guide. Responded after first goal.

On the penalty...

”Bizarre. I feel for fans. Var: what is the point of it? Takes three minutes, he goes over to look at the monitor? Var has been mayhem.

“He was looking for it (Martial). He’s never going to get it in a million years, he knows what he’s doing like players do.”

06:38 PM GMT

Player quotes on Sky Sports

Bruno F: “Good performance. I have big expectation for Garnacho, he is not a great player yet but he will be. Amazing goal. Silences the crowd. I think even Everton fans enjoy to see. Amazing for football, I am proud of him.

[why give pen to Rash?] “I thought Marcus needed a bit of confidence, needed a goal. He is an excellent penalty taker. Strikers need to score. After the pen he was unstoppable, sometimes you need the opportunity to get confidence back. Amazing last season so expectations have been high.

Garnacho: “I didn’t see where it had gone but I thought oh my God! One of the best I have scored. I cannot believe it. To be honest I just turned around and thought ‘oh my god’. I am happy.”

06:35 PM GMT

xG

Everton 2.73 and 2.18 for United.

Most shots in defeat for a PL team this season, Kelly says on Sky.

06:31 PM GMT

Leon Osman on BBC

“There’s been questions over Erik ten Haag’s team this season and this was going to be a huge test. A test of character, a test of nerve, a test of desire as well and they ticked every one of those boxes.”

06:29 PM GMT

Stats

Everton ten shots in the first half, as I said, and then another dozen after the break. But of those 22 efforts, only six on target, and if that had not been so profligate, they would have got something here because the 0-3 flattered United.

Manchester United only had nine attempts all game, but hit the target with four.

06:25 PM GMT

Full time: Everton 0 Man United 3

The match itself won’t especially live long in the memory but the spectacular goal from Garnacho will be played over and over again.

Everton had ten shots in the first half but only hit the target with four.

06:18 PM GMT

87 mins: Everton 0 Man United 3

Facundo Pellistri shoots, Jordan Pickford saves.

Marcus R gets clear and tries to slip in his colleague... but that’s cut out by a defnder.

Martial has scored seven against Everton, his favourite PL opponent, and he’s getting a breather now. Hannibal comes on.

06:14 PM GMT

85 mins: Everton 0 Man United 3

Everton’s Vitalii Mykolenko hit the crossbar a few minutes ago, a bit more fortune for MUFC.

06:10 PM GMT

81 mins: Everton 0 Man United 3

A raft of subs over the last few mins.

Patterson, Danjuma on for Young and McNeil.

Wan-Bissaka, Amrabat and Pellistri come on. Mainoo as I mentioned, Shaw and Garancho the men to make way.

06:09 PM GMT

Zombie United lurch onwards

06:04 PM GMT

GOAL! Everton 0 Man United 3 (Martial 75)

Ooh, that’s turned into one of those “streaky three-nils”.... Everton will be kicking themselves here, they were right on top in the first half. But look in the paper tomorrow etc etc.

This is a really nice goal. Bruno F with a cheeky wee dink through, Martial purrs onto it and slots it away. The scoreline flatters United but they’ve scored the Goal of the Season, and now a more than decent goal to go with the pen, so that’s that.

06:00 PM GMT

72 mins: Everton 0 Man United 2

Mainoo is coming off. Really good debut, some impressive interventions. Gurreh: “been United’s best player by a street. Brilliant debut.”

05:58 PM GMT

70 mins: Everton 0 Man United 2

United are a spineless mob, no question, but I don’t see them capitulating from here. That second seems to have knocked the stuffing out of the Toffees.

05:53 PM GMT

64 mins: Everton 0 Man United 2

Good move down the right from MUFC ends up with the ball crossed deep to Garnacho... the 19-year-old has time to pick his spot but no spectacular on this occasion.

05:52 PM GMT

Smashing pen

05:44 PM GMT

GOAL! Everton 0 Man United 2 (Rashford 56 pen)

Lofts that into the roof of the net, nicely take. No chance for JP.

Young is still complaining bitterly. Not really sure why - he dangled the leg and the forward went over it.

05:43 PM GMT

54 mins: Everton 0 Man United 1

This is all taking a while to sort out. Bruno Fernandes is taking the spot kick. No, hang on. Marcus Rashford is. Bruno gave it to him.

05:41 PM GMT

52 mins: Everton 0 Man United 1

Bruno slips it to Martial, who surges into the box and Young dangles a leg.

That’s probably a penalty. Not given on the field.

“The player’s reputation precedes him, he goes to ground easily, but that is a penalty,” says Sky and United’s Gary Neville.

Young looking pretty sheepish, I think he knows he’s in trouble here...

Penalty. Given.

Never a debate, for my money. Clear penalty.

05:36 PM GMT

47 mins: Everton 0 Man United 1

Jordan Pickford clears it to... Andre Onana. Beautiful.

05:36 PM GMT

46 mins: Everton 0 Man United 1

Second half is underway.

05:24 PM GMT

Andy Burnham on Everton

Chris Bascombe reports:

Premier League changed rules during Everton case, says Andy Burnham

05:18 PM GMT

Half time: Everton 0 Man United 1

Everton, whose fans are absolutely furious, should have scored at least twice but the only entrant on the scoresheet is Garnacho’s goal-of-the-season overhead screamer.

05:16 PM GMT

45 mins: Everton 0 Man United 1

Garnacho is having a big half! Now he’s attracted the attentions of the ref for a sort of leaping foul-shove. Hard to describe. Not the sort of foul that some of his predecessors n the United forward line - Mark Hughes, for instance - would have attempted.

05:12 PM GMT

41 mins: Everton 0 Man United 1

Everton’s finishing has been poor, and lucky for United. Calvert-Lewin has too much power for Lindyhof and the ball breaks kindly for Doucoure. Again his shot is poor.

05:12 PM GMT

40 mins: Everton 0 Man United 1

Dominic Calvert-Lewin heads over the bar from Ashley Young cross.

05:06 PM GMT

36 mins: Everton 0 Man United 1

Mainoo again with a vital defensive intervention, United are really inviting the pressure on to themselves here and are clinging onto the ropes.

Chris Bascombe: “Youngster Kobbie Mainoo outstanding for United so far, justifying manager’s faith in such a febrile atmosphere.”

05:03 PM GMT

33 mins: Everton 0 Man United 1

United under the pump. McNeil down the left flank, crosses, it’s on a plate for Doucoure.... but he scuffs the shot wide.

05:02 PM GMT

32 mins: Everton 0 Man United 1

DCL again. He controls a long ball and stabs it at goal. Good save! But here’s McNeil looking to tuck away the rebound... and young Mainoo clears off the line!

05:01 PM GMT

31 mins: Everton 0 Man United 1

Everton sling the dead ball in: Dominic Calvert-Lewin rises splendidly.. meets the header fair and square and sadly for him, square at the keeper, too.

05:00 PM GMT

29 mins: Everton 0 Man United 1

Garnacho kicks the ball away. The ref fails to spot that. Abdoulaye Doucoure goes over to the ref to complain. The ref instead books Doucoure. Nobody likes a grass, Abdoulaye. Let that be a lesson (actually very harsh on the Everton player).

04:57 PM GMT

26 mins: Everton 0 Man United 1

Everton have a corner, United make a meal of clearing and Vitalii Mykolenko has a curler wide.

04:57 PM GMT

A little hat

04:55 PM GMT

24 mins: Everton 0 Man United 1

Everton fans had been silenced but are back on the boos now, McTominay has trodden on the back of Gueye’s leg, bringing down not just that opponent but Ashley Young as well. Strong Helensburgh genes.

04:52 PM GMT

19 mins: Everton 0 Man United 1

Ashley Young has absolutely clattered young master Garnacho. Should have done that a few minutes ago! Booking for Ash, freekick for the Reds. Comes to nothing.

04:45 PM GMT

14 mins: Everton 0 Man United 1

Corner. Luke Shaw hits one from it. Got hold of it well but not accurate.

04:44 PM GMT

11 mins: Everton 0 Man United 1

Dominic Calvert-Lewin cuts in from the right but the shot is weak and Andre Onana could throw his hat on it, were he indeed wearing a hat.

04:43 PM GMT

Go compare

and

04:40 PM GMT

10 mins: Everton 0 Man United 1

Chris Bascombe: “Plenty of banners aimed at the Premier League that may not pass legal vetting. Personal favourite so far is the imaginative ‘Down with this sort of thing!’ from an Everton fan evidently a big of classic sitcom Father Ted. One of the more polite rebukes Richard Masters will hear at Goodison today, methinks.”

There is A LOT of booing.

04:36 PM GMT

5 mins: Everton 0 Man United 1

Just absolutely gorgeous. What a strike. Gary Neville says “it’s the best overhead kick I’ve seen on a football field - and I was on the pitch for the Rooney one.”

Leon Osman on the BBC: “Quick as a flash Garnacho spotted it, adjusted his body and it was behind him yet he still rises into the air and as sweetly as you’ve seen one hit connects with it right into the top corner. Pickford absolutely no chance. What a start from Manchester United.”

04:33 PM GMT

GOAL! Everton 0 Man United 1 (Garnacho 3)

Goal of the season contender! United down the right, the ball is crossed... Garnacho from 15 yards, shuffles back, overhead tumbling effort with the right and it flies into the top corner.

Rashford slipped it to Dalot, who crossed, and then a moment of pure beauty from Garnacho.

04:32 PM GMT

2 mins: Everton 0 Man United 0

McTominay surges into the area and goes down under pressure from Branthwaite, but that’s not a pen. He stopped across the defender.

04:31 PM GMT

1 mins: Everton 0 Man United 0

Rashford’s out on the right, Martial through the middle.

04:30 PM GMT

Gary Neville

“Sean Dyche has to manage emotions” because there’s a lot of feelings running high at Goodison this afternoon.

His opposite number, ETH, is in the stands.

04:27 PM GMT

The players are out on the pitch

Everton fans have got a lot of placards. Now they are booing loudly. I guess the Premier League as an institution?

Chris Bascombe: “Never seen such a sea of red at Goodison Park. Fans displaying red cards with ‘Corrupt’ as the Premier League flag is unveiled ahead of players’ arrival.”

04:19 PM GMT

Ten Hag talks to Sky

“Mainoo: we have seen him in the pre-season, he had an injury but is match-fit. Luke Shaw has been a massive miss, glad he is back. He is confident, defends very strong, confident with the ball. He can help others step up with his presence.”

04:16 PM GMT

Players are out warming up

Let’s have a few more Tel tributes in the meantime.

04:14 PM GMT

Having a bet?

Having a bet on today’s match? First take a look at these free bets and betting offers.

04:13 PM GMT

Sean Dyche to Sky

“The news has created the mood, not us: Toffees are getting behind their team. Fans have driven us on since I have been here. Players have been paying that back. Good connection.”

And here is Ashley Young: “The togetherness in the club is fantastic. Testing times, you need that.”

04:10 PM GMT

Red sale

A year on from proposed sale, Man Utd never thought they would be in this state

04:08 PM GMT

Tarkowski the otter

Is he in your Fantasy League Team? Play Fantasy Football here

04:07 PM GMT

Natives restless

How?

03:37 PM GMT

Nice tribute

03:30 PM GMT

Team news

Everton: Pickford, Young, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Harrison, Garner, Gueye, McNeil, Doucoure, Calvert-Lewin. Subs: Patterson, Keane, Danjuma, Virginia, Godfrey, Coleman, Chermiti, Hunt, Dobbin.

Man Utd: Onana, Dalot, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw, McTominay, Mainoo, Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, Garnacho, Martial. Subs: Bayindir, Amrabat, Reguilon, Varane, Pellistri, Wan-Bissaka, van de Beek, Mejbri, Hugill.

Referee: John Brooks (Leicestershire

03:30 PM GMT

Favoured opponent

Abdoulaye Doucourre has six goal involvements against United (3G, 3A) in the Premier League. That’s his most productive return against any opposition.

03:28 PM GMT

Positivity word salad from Dychey

03:25 PM GMT

Donny

I’m sorry.

03:22 PM GMT

Everton fans

not taking this lightly...

03:01 PM GMT

Everton host Man United

Good afternoon and welcome to our live blog of this Premier League match between Everton and Manchester United, which takes place at Goodison Park with a 4.30pm kick off. Everton are in 19th place in the League and they have four points, which obviously includes the points they have been deducted. Manchester United, who have problems of their own, are in eighth place with 21.

Here is Sam Wallace on Everton fan reaction to the docking.

Sean Dyche seems to be taking it in his stride.

“It’s still relatively early in the season and it’s a season’s work. We were going along very well, we were in a good position in the table with a good number of points and arguably we should have had more.

“It doesn’t change the mindset, it doesn’t change what we look at. The league table is one thing but I can’t change my rules. I don’t stare at it every week anyway. The one at the end of the season is the most important one.

“We’ve still got lots to do, lots of games to play and lots of football in front of us. What we do have is a good side that can be effective at this level.

“We are in a good place and the players are still in a good place,” he said. “The 10-point situation doesn’t affect the players, we stay focused on what we’re doing.

“The feel-good factor after the game down at Palace (a 3-2 win before the international break) was quite evident and it was a shame we didn’t get to train for a few days to lock all that in.

“But I think we’re in a good place as a collective and I don’t want this to get in the way of it, to keep that clear-mindedness to perform.”

We will see what team he names at about half three and then the kick off is at 4.30pm.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer.